What Will We Do When it is All Over?

Can you believe how quickly the 2010 FIFA World Cup is progressing? Before we know it, it will all be over. After the years of preparation and hype, it is going to be finished in less than two weeks time. 
I have haphazardly supported football in the past, but during this World Cup I have become an avid supporter. I didn't know what to do with myself last night as there was no football to watch, while the teams all have a break before the quarter finals. Thank God Wimbledon was on to distract me. Even though Federer was defeated, Nadal's match was exciting. 
We will miss the football matches when it is all over and will have to find something new to latch on to. Maybe then we can prepare for an Olympics in SA...

World Cup Snippets

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has been a tournament of surprises with both of the previous World Cup finalists being knocked out of the first round and teams like North Korea ranked 106th in the world going through. Last night gave us another surprise with one of the favourites going out as Spain defeated Portugal. We seem to have a strong South American contingent now.
It has all been a lot of fun and I have loved my part as host to the nations. 

Dutch Supporters Convoy

Look at this amazing photo of the Dutch supporters travelling from one game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to the next. Led by their Orange double-decker bus, the Dutch Supporters are on route from their camp site in Pretoria to their next game against Japan in Durban. 

Their convoy travelled the 636 km route and was made up of 175 campers, trucks, busses and jeeps – the convoy was 6 kms long and all orange.


They know how to support their team!

Vuvuzela Beetle

It seems that many of us have become accustomed to the blaring of the vuvuzela during the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the excitement heats up. Someone sent me a pic of this VW Beetle limo with a oversized vuvuzela on the roof and I couldn't resist posting it on this blog. Quite a way to travel during the World Cup.

Cape Town's 2010 FIFA World Cup Conribution

Karen Lotter sent me an email with this photo of the lights in Adderley Street in Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  What a festive contribution towards the World Cup.

Hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Now that South Africa is no longer playing in the World Cup, I have been heartened to hear all of the positive reports about South African's picking up the gauntlet to continue hosting the event with enthusiasm and "gees". 

I heard an interview with a German journalist on the radio yesterday where he was raving about South Africa's hospitality and I read a wonderful letter from a young American woman based in South Africa over the last few months and how she praised us for our warmth and acceptance of foreigners. Again, I heard an Aussie journalist this morning praising us for the best World Cup he has attended in the last four. All I can say is may we keep it up. Go South Africa.

Well Done Bafana Bafana!

Well done to the boys! The whole of Africa was rooting for Bafana Bafana yesterday, and although they did not get through to the next round in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, they beat France 2-1, which is something to be proud of. All South Africans are proud of their performance yesterday. Now we will get behind our second choice teams and continue to support the World Cup.

Soccer City

What fun this 2010 FIFA World Cup has been so far. Full of surprises, it promises a lot more still to come. Smiles and laughter everywhere and a wonderful spirit of cameradie permeates the nation.
All I can say for today is "Go Bafana!"

Germany versus Australia

It was a wonderful experience attending the Germany versus Australia match on Sunday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the delightfully warm climate of Durban. Although I was supporting Germany, I ended up shouting for Australia in sympathy as the Germans deftly scored goal after goal. The Aussie supporters were full of spirit and a joy to watch, however they became quieter as the match progressed. I missed the usual Bafana supporters who still have the best spirit and most colour. 
With regards to the vuvuzela complainants, I was amused to see that the vast majority of blasters were the foreigners. Of course, I took my vuvu along and attempted to give it a good blast every now and again. My daughter put me to shame as her blast sounded exactly right, while mine sound like an ox being slaughtered or an elephant giving birth.
I loved every moment of the beautiful game in my favourite stadium. Go Durbs and well done, Germany! 

United We Stand

What a day! I managed to make my way to Sandton in between appointments yesterday and what a joy it was. Incredible scenes of support and patriotism from all ages, sizes, colours and types of people.

Vuvus blaring, people dancing, cops smiling, yellow and green, crowds, fun and laughter, tears and pride are all snippets of the not-to-be-missed experience. I am so looking forward to my first match, now more than ever.

What an incredible nation South Africa is.

                                                                   

Colourful World Cup Car

World Cup support is everywhere! If you live in Jozi, don't forget to join in the Bafana Bafana support parade in Sandton today.

World Cup Spirit

The vibe in Johannesburg just gets better and better. World Cup Spirit is alive and thriving. The city is looking so colourful and the means of showing support are becoming more and more creative. I saw someone's hubcaps painted like soccer balls with the South African flag yesterday. I am going to miss all of this when the World Cup is over.

Proud Johannesburg during the 2010 FIFA World Cup

I was sent an email yesterday with a bunch of photos of Johannesburg ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which are so cool. I will be posting them here over the next few days. I do not know who took them, so I can't give any credit, but thank you Jozi photographer, whoever you are. 


There is an amazing vibe in Johannesburg as we are six days away from kickoff. There are flags, footballs, vuvuzelas and Makarapas everywhere and people are dressed in football regalia much of the time. Great fun. I am really looking forward to my first match.

Footballs in the Sky

Footballs everywhere in South Africa. The ABSA balloon has new meaning during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cullinan Joins in the Football Fever of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Football fever rages throughout the country as we gear up to the the final week until the World Cup. On a visit to the quaint town of Cullinan I came across these two football fans selling football regalia.