2010 FIFA World Cup™ Blog

SportsMark is blogging from the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa

SportsMark will be bringing you on-the-ground reports from the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ from one of our on-site senior staff, Chris Ziemer. When he’s not at the FIFA World Cup, Chris serves as the Director of Athletics for Sonoma Academy, a college-prep high school in Santa Rosa, California. Chris brings a wealth of soccer background, including being a two-time All-American player at Sonoma State University, before embarking on a playing career in both the U.S. and Germany. In addition, Chris is a USSF “A” licensed coach and has led high school and club teams to numerous championships, as well as having coached American teams in international competition in Sweden, Spain, Italy and England.

July 12, Questions answered as tourney comes to end...

On June 5th, I set off to South Africa armed with loads of questions and a great sense of anticipation about the World Cup and my first trip to Africa. During my 35 days in South Africa, all of my questions were answered.

How will the U.S. team do?
The U.S. team lived up to any reasonable fans’ expectations by working hard, playing together, not giving up, and simultaneously showing that we are inching towards the top teams, while still being miles away. You can’t really knock the players, as they represented the U.S. in the best possible fashion. You can’t place the entire blame on Coach Bob Bradley, as we won our group, and except for a few questionable decisions, his players played hard for him. The next step, if there is ever to be one (we seem to be in the same place as 10 years ago), will take U.S. Soccer analyzing other countries’ structure and revamping the structure in the U.S. from youth to professional. We have the interest, and we have the resources – now is the time to take everything to the next level.

Will South Africa be safe?
I can only speak to my experiences, but I felt safe at every turn. Part of that was SportsMark went to great lengths to support us so we felt safe in every aspect of our work. In addition, the main areas for World Cup fans were heavily policed. The other areas can be found in any country. I think South Africa also took huge precautions to make the country safe, and travelers were educated on how to stay out of trouble, which meant the headlines were dominated by soccer, not safety.

What will attendance and stadium atmosphere be like?
The stadiums rocked! I was at all of the games at Durban, including a semifinal, and every one of the games had a lively atmosphere, a combination of traveling supporters and local soccer fans. The vuvuzela experience took away from the cheers and singing, but made the South Africans feel at home, and probably more visitors than Africans arrived with vuvu’s in tow. Attendance was huge, making it the third most attended World Cup, behind the U.S. in 1994 and Germany in 2006. In the end, two thumbs up for the stadium experience.

Who will win the World Cup?
Everyone had their favorite players and teams, who either produced as expected or emerged from the shadows. Spain was the class of the tourney, and it was truly a privilege to see them play live twice. I couldn’t help but reflect back to their early loss, when the Swiss fans in my hotel said with great pride that they thought Switzerland beat the World Champions that night. How right they were...

Working for SportsMark and Sony...
I enjoyed working for SportsMark at the World Cup, especially having the opportunity to meet and interact with fellow SportsMark employees, as well as travelers from around the world. I personally appreciated the great lengths SportsMark went in not only servicing clients, but making sure their staff were supported and safe.

The majority of the work I did was for Sony, and Sony’s presence was everywhere - at the airports, in the stadiums, at the Fan Fest and Fan Park. I watched the Argentina vs. Mexico game in Sony 3D. At every turn, the Sony logo and ‘make.believe’ slogan was prominent for all to see.

I was inspired by two projects (I’m assuming two of many) in which Sony has been involved that people might not be aware of. During my stay, I had the chance to visit two organizations, WhizzKids United in Durban and Mpilonhle in Mtubatuba. Both are similar in scope, trying to help provide HIV education, support, and treatment to children in South Africa. Sony’s support of these projects has really brought the ‘make.believe’ slogan to life.

At both of the programs, we had a chance to interact with the children at the camp, many of whom were playing barefoot, and walked several kilometers to and from camp. These are wonderful children. The staff of both WhizzKids United and Mpilonhle are a combination of paid and volunteer, some from South Africa, and some from across the world. They are doing great work using soccer as the vehicle to teach the children about making good decisions, learning about HIV, and for those who either have HIV or know others who have it, providing counseling and support for them.

While the children enjoyed the camp, the experience that these South African children enjoyed most was attending the game, which was made possible by Sony. The children mentioned they were amazed at how big and loud the stadium was, and they were impressed with the teams (Nigeria vs. South Korea). When they spoke about the game, their eyes lit up, and you could see it was an experience they were proud of, and they will carry with them forever. When they were asked to create a newspaper at camp, they tried to draw the Moses Mabihda stadium. With Sony’s support and generosity, these children from remote South African townships were able to experience a live World Cup game.

When I mentioned I was working with SportsMark and helping with tickets for Sony in Durban, they started thanking Sony for the tickets and explaining how much it meant to the children who went to the games. They were unbelievably appreciative of the tickets, and between the two organizations, they took almost 750 children to the games. Although I wasn’t responsible for getting them tickets, I was proud to have a small connection to Sony, and it was great to be working with a company that is not only branding their image across the world, but providing support for people in need, especially children throughout South Africa.

Final thoughts...
South Africa deserves huge praise for doing what many felt they weren’t capable of – hosting a safe and successful FIFA World Cup. The people of South Africa were warm and welcoming, going to great lengths to showcase their country and make sure their guests from around the globe were comfortable.

Time will tell the long term impact of hosting the World Cup in South Africa, but the initial feedback is that the impact will be felt for years to come! Congratulations to Spain for winning the title and to South Africa for hosting a memorable tournament. I’m counting down the days until Brazil in 2014!

July 10, Back in the USA

Well, I am physically back in the US, but after 35 days in South Africa, my time clock and mind are still catching up. It was great to see my family, and while I will be reminiscing about watching the final live in Joburg, I’m excited to see my first World Cup game in the US.

Durban airport – easier to leave than arrive...
On the night of the semifinal in Durban, the reports were true...it was absolute chaos. In fact, at the stadium, you could see planes and helicopters circling overhead. One of the FIFA sponsors with whom I was working was awaiting 150 guests from India, who were flying through Joburg. They were supposed to arrive in time to enjoy dinner and relax at the stadium hospitality suite. Fortunately, they arrived, saw the game, and were able to eat after the game, but there were at least a thousand fans that weren’t as lucky. Could you imagine traveling halfway across the world, only to be sent back to Joburg because someone’s plane was parked in your spot?

Going Dutch...
The saying “going Dutch” apparently made its way to the KNVB (Dutch Soccer Federation), as either they were too cheap to book rooms, or they didn’t plan on making it to the final. They were able to extend their original reservations a week after their win over Brazil, but were forced to change hotels in advance of the final. I would be shocked if Spain’s reservation didn’t include the final and a victory tour, as their players played like they would refund the federation personally if they didn’t qualify for the finals.

Spain or The Netherlands?
Seeing Spain play live twice, being around the team hotel a bit, and just knowing the quality and confidence they bring with them, makes it hard to choose against them. On the other hand, I have admired the Netherlands, too, mainly because of a relationship my brothers and I have had with Frans Hoek and his Dutch staff of coaches, who have been coming to the US since 1995. Since the Dutch are playing in their third World Cup final, there is evidence to show we have been “brainwashed orange”. For a country with just over16 million residents, which is about the size of Maryland, the Dutch have really worked wonders.

Durban – Joburg – London – San Francisco...the World Cup in airports – part 2
Durban was alive with the spirits of Spanish fans, some heading to Joburg for the final and some returning to Spain. Joburg was booming with fans departing to go home across the globe, while others were arriving in advance of the semi-final. London’s Heathrow, on the other hand, was a far cry from the buzz in advance of the World Cup in early June. In fact, instead of front page headlines like a month before, I had to search pages for World Cup news, most of which included some statement about how disappointing the English team, coach and overall performance were. They were also starting to speculate about the housecleaning that needs to happen in advance of 2014. There were two English World Cup articles in the Daily Telegraph, one about Howard Webb, the English referee who will do the final, and the other about Paul the Octopus, who is 100% with his picks. He resides in Germany, but is actually English.

When I arrived back in San Francisco, there wasn’t a single thing that hinted the World Cup was still going strong, but in defense of SFO, we just claimed our bags and were ready to hit the road after over 30 hours en route.

July 8, Durban - Durban stadium rocking as Spain beats Germany 1-0…

In soccer, the best team doesn’t always win...fortunately, that wasn’t the case tonight in Durban. What a game! It’s 2:00am, and I’m not even close to being able to sleep...still charged from the game. I went into the game neutral, with full intentions of staying that way. Spain didn’t let me. They quickly won me over with their wonderful display of soccer. Germany had a great tourney and should be proud, but on the night, there was no comparison – Spain was clearly the better team. That didn’t necessarily mean a one-sided game, and the 1-0 score proved that. Germany made it interesting, and there were a few moments in the game when you wondered if the Spanish domination would lead to a win or possibly a German upset. However, for most of the game you felt like the goal and Spanish victory was around the corner.

It took less than 20 minutes for Spain to win me over…
Their ball movement was incredible, a real thing of beauty. Quick, precise passes, taking advantage of the width which Germany allowed. You got the feeling Germany would tire chasing the ball. To Germany’s credit, even though they were being outplayed, they still created some chances. Although I felt they gave Spain too much time and space, they absorbed the play, and Spain was a bit too pass-oriented in the final third.

The goal was awesome, with Puyol pushing on and connecting for a great goal. Although Spain didn’t score from the run of play, they penetrated wide, got in behind on 1v1’s and forced a lot of corners, so to score on one was a fitting return to their investment in attacking play.

The atmosphere was great - edge of the seat type game, with a FIFA World Cup final berth at stake…
The game never got comfortable enough for either team to relax, which meant that we fans also had to stay sharp. There were probably about 50% of the crowd going for Spain - 25-30% for Germany and then a big group of neutrals.

The weather ended up behaving, and it was a beautiful night for a game. Great conditions to play and watch the game in. I did feel badly for Germany, as they played a great tournament, but they have a young team and have a bright future. It was sad to see Bastian Schweinsteiger last to leave the field – he established himself as a top midfielder in the tournament.

I think one of the differences for Spain was the lineup shuffle. Torres, who hasn’t been his usual self, was relegated to the bench, and in came Pedro, who kept the Germans unbalanced and chasing. David Villa pushed to the lone striker, and Iniesta and Pedro shifted sides - you felt like any touch they had could break open the game. What a great move by del Bosque. Torres didn’t look happy coming on for 10 charity minutes at the end, but that is life in the fast lane.

All in all, it was an amazing atmosphere from start to finish, and sets up a dream final between two teams committed to playing football, which has not only proven effective, but enjoyable, to watch. And with a first time champion being crowned, you know both teams will be ready to show their quality!

July 7, Durban - Final South African sunrise...

I had my final early morning South African sunrise today. It’s a shame, as the weather has been superb in Durban, and it’s looking like rain and high winds for tonight’s semifinal. With both teams focused on trying to play soccer with the ball at their feet, the weather may be a factor.

Dutch in the final...
Holland’s victory means it will be an all-European Final. The Dutch appear to be in a groove, and whether they play Spain or Germany, it should be a great game - an open and attacking game with a few goals hopefully. Hats off to Uruguay, who outlasted all non-European teams, including Argentina and Brazil. Not bad for a country with approximately 3.5 million people.

In the news - a few pieces of news from this morning’s The Mercury paper...
The South African paper teamed up with Spain’s El Pais and Germany’s Bild to give readers a page in both German and Spanish, as well as the usually English pages. A few headlines: Paul – the famous octopus in Germany who has been correctly picking all of the game winners - has selected Spain to win. Stars and royalty arrive in Durban – President Jacob Zuma, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton, Charlize Theron, Henry Kissinger, and many others – an estimated 11,000 VIP’s in Durban for the game.

I’ve chosen not to choose...
I came at it from every angle, but still can’t decide between Germany and Spain. Initially, I felt like Germany was in such great form and couldn’t be beaten, and then I saw the focus of the Spanish players at their hotel. They are motivated and ready. Plus, Paul the Octopus chose Spain. The idea of a Germany vs. Netherlands final is intriguing, but wouldn’t a Spain vs. Netherlands final be quality, too? Germany has won the World Cup several times before, so either Spain or Netherlands would mean a first-time winner. So, I am heading to the stadium tonight knowing that regardless of the outcome, I will be happy for the winning team and disappointed for the losing team. I am emotionally invested in both teams, and really just want to see a great game. I am just happy being in the stadium to see how weeks of intense football culminate into what should be a semifinal for the ages.

July 5, Durban - Spain is staying next door...

I was pulling for Germany to be staying at the hotel next door, as my German is better than my Spanish, but no complaints here. There were hoards of media and fans outside the hotel, but I managed to get into the Spain hotel (don’t ask, but I’ve been here for over a month...) and got a few nice photos of the guys.

This morning’s headline in the Mercury read, “Germany counting on Coach Loew’s blue sweater”…This is the purple one I’ve been referring to for weeks, but he said although he isn’t superstitious, the coaching staff want him to wear it, because they scored four goals each time he wore it.

Argentina, Brazil wishing they had something to cheer about...
Our hotel has a group of approximately 100 Brazilian fans who arrived two days ago. They had planned to spend a few days in Durban before heading to their semifinal game. I met two Argentineans today, and with a combination of hand and face signals, some broken English and Spanish, I managed to get a sense of the disappointment they are feeling.

July 4, Durban - Happy 4th of July to the USA!

Speaking of fireworks - Durban is ready for Spain vs. Germany semifinal...
With Germany’s 4-0 dismantling of Argentina and Spain’s 1-0 squeaker against Paraguay, Durban will welcome the dream semifinal.

I was torn until kickoff between my ties to Germany (my father was born in Germany and has a lot of family there, my sister in law is German, and I spent 3 great years playing in Germany), and my fascination with Argentina (mainly Messi, who was unable to set the Cup on fire as hoped, and Maradona, who was a pleasure to watch during his playing days). With the quick German goal, I’m not afraid to admit that I was pulling for Germany and their performance on the day was nothing short of amazing. It wasn’t to be for Messi and Argentina, but at just 23 years of age, he will hopefully have another World Cup or two to show his class.

The Spain game was a tense one, and although you have to tip your hat to Paraguay, I was hoping for a Spain win from the start. Spain didn’t play poorly, but you have the feeling they have another gear, which we have yet to see. The question is, can Germany sustain their brilliant form (8 goals in two games against England and Argentina), and will Spain be able to kick it up a notch? Both of these questions will be answered in five days time!

Do I need to decide?
I’ve been pulling for both Germany and Spain, and I’m still weighing in on the decision of who to ultimately support. I may just stay neutral, hope for an exciting game and be happy for whoever wins. I still have two days to decide.

German fans arrived in good spirits...
Our hotel welcomed a large group of Germans today. Proud, smiling Germans, as they should be, with their team in good form. I asked them if they were going to the game, and they answered “of course”, as if every German in Durban has a ticket to the semifinal, and they knew they were going to advance. It was great, as four of them immediately hung the German flag from the balcony.

Traveling the globe in South Africa, one meal at a time...
I’ve been trying to eat foods from around the world, and there have been plenty of good options. Let’s just say I haven’t skipped many meals. We’ve eaten plenty of South African food, but also food from many other World Cup countries - Spanish, Italian, Greek, Japanese, and Portuguese – as well as Indian. Bunny chow, which is the traditional Indian food in Durban, was quite stellar. My semifinalists would include Spain (paella) and South African (local fish platters), with South African/Italian (curry chile chicken pasta) and Portuguese (chicken peri-peri) close behind.

July 1, Durban - Netherlands shine bright against Brazil – HUP HOLLAND!

We watched most of the game in a South African restaurant by our hotel. When we arrived, Brazil was leading 1-0, and we missed much of the first half. However, from what I saw of the second half, the Dutch were deserving winners. They did what so few countries have failed to do over the years, out-possess the Brazilians. When the Dutch scored the equalizer, their coach’s expression showed his confidence and the go ahead goal wasn’t far behind. And, it wasn’t. Once Brazil dropped to 10 men, Holland continued to possess and create chances. In fact, they were unlucky not to put the game out of reach at 3-1. Brazil, on the other hand, was unable to regain a foothold on the game. They couldn’t possess the ball, failed to create any dangerous scoring chances, and even worse, they began to self-destruct. Congrats to Holland!

Ghana loses in brutal fashion - Uruguay in, Brazil out
Any loss at this level is usually brutal, but this was the topper. I watched the game at the Fan Park, and the crowd was pulling for Ghana. When it looked liked it was going to penalty kicks, I called a taxi to beat the crowd and planned to watch the rest in my hotel. Fortunately, the taxi driver had the game on. He was very focused on the game, and less focused on the driving. Although we could hardly make out what the announcer said, when Ghana earned a pk, we both yelled in celebration. Nothing against Uruguay, but I was pulling for the lone African team still alive. As Gyan stepped up to take the penalty kick, the announcer said, “Gyan has the entire hopes of his country and the continent of Africa on his shoulders.” And then he missed...poor guy, as he had been a standout for the entire tournament. In the end, Ghana should be proud, but it won’t take the sting out of the loss.

Finally a game reserve!
One of our goals in visiting Africa was to get a chance to experience a safari game drive. We were recommended to visit the Phinda Game Reserve, which is a massive, private game reserve, where we enjoyed an adventure we won’t soon forget. And, that was before we arrived at Phinda, which is pure luxury in the middle of the South African bush. The best part of the experience was the safari game drives - we managed to see elephants, a lioness, giraffes, cheetahs, and many other animals. On our way back from Phinda, we drove through the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Parks, which is a government park and saw giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and more. Literally, you are driving on the road and a giraffe is in the street – what an opportunity to see the South African countryside and wildlife.

June 28, Durban - Dutch businesslike in 2-1 win...

The atmosphere was great, with plenty of orange fans in the mix. Holland scored relatively early and managed the game the rest of the way. Slovakia actually had some great chances, and if it weren’t for a few great saves, they could have found themselves tied 1-1. In the end, the Dutch deserved to win the game, but they’ll need to play better to beat Brazil.

It was good to see Robben in action, as he is dangerous every time he touches the ball. He wants the ball and isn’t afraid to work to get it either. His movement of the ball was fantastic, as he pulled his marks in and out of the space he wanted to exploit. The only crack in the cohesive Dutch camp was when van Persie came off, he didn’t react well to being subbed. Hopefully, he will put the team ahead of himself, as past tournaments have been marred by selfish behavior. If Holland wants to beat Brazil, it will be a collective effort.

My next game in Durban is the Semi-Final, and I can’t wait! To think I will be watching a World Cup Semi-Final live in South Africa is beyond my wildest dreams.

June 27, Durban - The real soccer heroes in South Africa...

Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to visit Umlazi, a township on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, located south-west of Durban. It was an amazing experience on many levels.

We were guests of Ollie Walsh, marketing director for the WhizzKids United (WKU) organization, whose mission is “to deliver effective HIV prevention, care, treatment and support to the youth worldwide through the medium of football (soccer).”

According to the WKU website, founder Marcus McGilvray realized that kids learn and respond best when they are motivated and when the method of learning is appropriate, dynamic, goal oriented and delivered in a language that kids speak and understand. Enter WhizzKids United, which recognizes that football is the perfect tool to teach, as it speaks a universal language that appeals to all children, both boys and girls, and, in doing so, transcends culture and background.

We traveled only 45 minutes from Durban to the township of Umlazi, but it felt like a world away from the Durban Stadium, the world class beaches and posh hotels that most World Cup visitors will experience. Along the way, we passed rundown houses, families, including small children, walking the streets barefooted, as well as signs of growth and progress. When I mentioned to other South Africans that we had visited Umlazi, they all shrugged trying to understand why we would visit that area, feeling it was not only unsafe, but had little to offer us on our journey. How wrong they were...

The attraction in Umlazi was a camp being run by WKU, with approximately 40-50 South African children. The camp was being run in partnership with Grassroots Soccer, Castrol, and Sony provided tickets for the participants to attend the Nigeria vs South Korea game. The WKU staff was a diverse group, paid and volunteer, local, as well as others from around the world.

I’ve worked a few hundred soccer camps in the US, but when we arrived, it was immediately apparent this camp would be different than anything I had experienced before.

We arrived at the dirt field, which was fairly level in most parts, and surrounded by a dirt track, which wasn’t quite as even. There was a goal anchored on each side of the field, and it was contained by sloping hills on two sides and brick steps which served as seating on another. The area was packed, with groups of WKU players spread out, as well as a group of approximately 30 local players practicing on half of the field.

Castrol provided the WKU participants with a uniform, some red and some green. After taking a moment to digest the field set-up, a few things caught my eye quickly. The field areas were extremely uneven, probably such that it would have been deemed unsafe in the US. Many of the kids didn’t have shoes, so each group had a mix of kids who were barefooted, wearing cleats, only one shoe, or even slippers. As I interacted with other groups, I saw this was the norm.

I was also trying to get a feel for what the WKU staff were teaching, and quickly noticed that their Life Skills trainers were using the game of soccer and sample exercises to draw analogies between soccer and life, especially as it related to choices they make, specific to HIV. One of the staff, Paul, was a former professional player in South Africa, who also played at University of Richmond in the US. Another was a volunteer from Germany, who was using the experience as part of his education in sports management.

While taking all of this in, I was mainly drawn to the kids in the program. Here they were, playing barefoot on dirt fields, but with smiles on their face and a joyful, infectious attitude. One small 13 year old boy, nicknamed Mabhunu, caught my eye, mainly because of his smile, left foot and big personality. We spoke, we juggled and joked around. I nicknamed him “Tshabalala” after the South African player who scored the opening goal at the World Cup. I loved saying it, and he loved hearing it, so it was a perfect match. He plays for a club team called Toronto, loves soccer, and walked over 20 minutes each way each day to get to camp. His favorite part of the camp was “playing balls” and going to the stadium, which he described as beautiful. The highlight of the day for me was circling up with a few of the kids and juggling. It was easy to see that they had spent countless hours with the ball, and we were able to keep the ball in the air effortlessly.

All in all, it was a great chance to see first hand the great work that WhizzKids United is doing, and my mind immediately thought of how I could return to help. There is so much we take for granted in the US that could make a huge difference. Balls, cleats, uniforms-whether new or used- would go a long way here. More importantly for me, it was great to get to the heart of the matter and see these wonderful South African children learning more about life and HIV, with soccer as the vehicle.

This was soccer stripped to its most basic level, and although there were business interests (charitable) at stake for some of the organizations involved, the true story of the day was WhizzKids United, which is doing amazing work, one child at a time. To learn more, please visit:http://www.whizzkidsunited.org.

June 26, Durban, USA comeback rally falls short...

I watched the game with a group of Americans at a restaurant/bar in Ballito. We got there early, and a group of approximately 25 Americans gathered in the back to watch together amongst the South Africans (many who cheered for Ghana) and some English fans who certainly weren’t supporting the US (must have been us topping the group).

We were ready, but, unfortunately, the US team less so. With a starting lineup that will surely have Bob Bradley second guessing himself, the US spotted Ghana an early goal. To Bradley’s credit, he brought on Edu early, and we took it to Ghana in the second half. We scored, and we all had the feeling that the winner would come. When it went to overtime, we (the fans) were ready to take the game to them. After the Ghana goal, all of us (and from the looks of it, the US team) lost a little steam as a comeback didn’t seem realistic this time around.

So, we bowed out today. There was plenty to celebrate, including some gutsy performances and winning our group, but also plenty to ponder for the future. Does Bradley continue? What changes can US Soccer make to allow us to consistently perform amongst the world’s elite? Plenty of questions, many of which will take time to be answered. The important first step in to ask questions and evaluate the World Cup from every angle. You know Italy and France are asking questions, and although we advanced a step further than them, we need to be asking similar questions if we want to be considered in the same conversations.

Beach soccer...
No, beach soccer isn’t the answer to help the US continue to develop, but it sure is fun. Today, we played a 5 v 5 game on the beach in Ballito. What a blast. After the game ended, we took a dip in the Indian Ocean, which was surprisingly warm, considering it is winter here.

World Cup extras...
I am attending the Holland vs. Slovakia game here in Durban. But, first is Mexico vs. Argentina and Germany vs. England. Is there a better day of matchups? You can feel the intensity starting to pick up here. At the start of the tournament, there was big hoopla whenever a team arrived, but World Cup’s are remembered not for when you arrive, but for when you head home. Who will be the last team standing? Unfortunately, Bill Clinton wasn’t right, as he had the US team slated for the finals. Many are saying his presence added to the pressure that the US team felt. Well, he wasn’t on the field, and soccer fans should never complain about any media coverage they get...it’s the coverage soccer doesn’t get that deserves complaints. I did find it a bit strange that he was photographed with some of the US players having a beer in the locker room after the Algeria win. Although, I suppose it is better that Clinton was pictured with a victory beer in the locker room than a victory cigar.

June 24 & 25, Durban - Brazil vs. Portugal...Brazil fans, no one lives up to the hype…

The Germans and Australians tried hard and should be proud. The Dutch, Japanese, South Koreans and Nigerians, too. Spain and Switzerland should be applauded. Hats off to Portugal as well. All of these countries rolled into Durban and created a fun and lively environment. But, when it comes to the World Cup, nothing compares to the swagger of Brazil. Brazil rode into town, and Durban was aglow with the Gold & Green. Nobody else came close.

Brazil was not worried about Portugal. They want to know who they are playing in the Final. Seriously, that came directly from a Brazilian fan. He equated Brazil to our Olympic basketball team, who fears nobody. "Bring it on!," he said, "WE ARE BRAZIL!!!"

As if they didn't bring enough Brazilians with them, virtually everybody in the stadium, who wasn't of Portuguese ancestry, cheered for Brazil. I would estimate 75% of the 62,000 fans wanted Brazil. And, probably half of the other 25%, secretly wished they were Brazilian. It's a guess, but probably not far off. Brazil is the World Cup; their team and fans are the envy of every country, and anybody who says otherwise is lying.

Unfortunately, both teams failed to realize the hype of the game, and aside from the festive atmosphere, the game itself was average. It could have been such a great game, with loads of talented players and two very capable teams. If this was the only game you saw, you might feel cheated. I understand Brazil had no reason to extend themselves, as a 0-0 tie saw them through as group leader. In the end, their fans were not impressed, so although they won the group, they lost some points with the Samba faithful, who started to boo and whistle in the final minutes. They expect better. And, they should.

Portugal had something to gain, but when the Ivory Coast score was announced 2-0 at the half, they, too, knew they were good to go and seemed content not losing. Shame on them. Their fans deserve better too.

So, the game that was billed as the top game in the first round, albeit good fan atmosphere, was a dud. I have watched five live games, and it was the least exciting game I have seen. The only thing it had going for it was the hype and the fact that you felt like either team could break it open at anytime. When that failed to happen, it soured the entire game. I hope both teams can turn it back on in the knockout rounds. Actually, neither made enough of an impression for me to care. USA and South Korea all the way. At least they cared enough to leave it all on the field.

June 22 & 23, Durban - USA wins thriller to advance...

What do the French and US teams have in common? Fortunately,nothing. We are booking flights to the next round, and they are on the plane home.

When a tie wasn't good enough, the never-say-die US attitude propelled the team forward, and the result was a dramatic finish by Captain America, Landon Donovan. The 1-0 win was good enough to win the group over England!

I watched the game at our hotel, and after the game, the US team was the talk of the hotel. The South Africans hold the US team in high regard, mainly because of our Confederations Cup performance last year, and our three results haven't done anything to tarnish the image.

Opening with a tie against England, one of the pre-tournament biggies ... great start!

A come from behind 2-2 win (sorry, tie) in which the fighting spirit was the envy of the tournament, only added to the interest/belief in the US team.

And tonight, Donovan's added time goal to clinch a spot in the next round has left the South Africans scratching their heads wondering why the US mystique didn't rub off on the Bafana Bafana.

Our performances haven't produced anything from a style, system or tactical standpoint, which will be analyzed and copied for years to come, but in a tournament that had many teams (many African teams, England, France...) fail to inspire with their performances, the US boys have done our country proud. Several teams spoke in advance of games about bringing that fighting spirit, and the US team actually did!

South Africans make proud exit -- French are toast...
The Sowetan cover which read, "Bafana exit World Cup with gallant win over France -- Way to go boys," summed up the mood in South Africa. "Beaten but not disgraced" and "A courageous win over France" were two other headings, as well as a "Walking tall" photo caption on top of a picture of Siphiwe Tshabalala.

I watched the game at the beachfront Fan Park with an estimated 25,000 South African fans, who relived the highlights into the night. The massive crowd held belief until the bitter end, and even after they were eliminated, they held their heads high as they outplayed and beat the French team. Although they were the first host team not to advance out of the group stage, a win, tie and loss at least carried a measure of respect.

The French on the other hand...
I hate to jump on the bandwagon and kick the French while they are down, but... They have had their day in the sun with some impressive teams over the years ... all of which are a distant memory from the 2010 version.

If they had played poorly but played for each other and left it all on the field, it might have been different. Obviously, that wasn't the case. If their performances weren't bad enough, and they were bad, then their off the field disputes reached almost a comical level. Today I heard that Thierry Henry has a meeting with the French President on Thursday to discuss what happened. I'm not sure what to hold onto from the French World Cup experience. There are so many to choose from, especially on the heels of their suspicious qualification.

South Korean and Nigeria impress -- the coach in me thinks South Korea will be ready for Uruguay...
The 2-2 tie with Nigeria was an exciting game from start to finish. The game was action-packed, goals, intensity -- essentially everything you would expect from a knockout game not involving the French team. The South Koreans impressed me in a very profound way. I can't recall the last time I saw a team at this level play that hard, closing down every pass, sprinting to recover when beaten, challenging every loose ball. The South Koreans' discipline was evident from the start and a joy to watch. Not that the Nigerian team didn't possess qualities which impressed as well (skill, passion, creativity), but on the heels of the French debacle, I was in need of a team that reconnected me to the passion of the game. A hardworking and unified team, with everyone pointed in the same direction -- something you could point out to young players in trying to establish the importance of hard work and playing like a team.

It wasn't a perfect game, and a few defensive lapses concern me about Korea's ability to take on the top teams. Having said that, I think they will wear down Uruguay, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see South Korea in the quarterfinals, and depending on the draw, even beyond. But, again, I was in the stadium live, and the atmosphere of the over 60,000 fans, the emotions of seeing my first game involving an African team may have gotten the best of me ... that in itself is the beauty of the World Cup. It is called World Cup fever -- I've got it bad -- and South Korea and Nigeria were just the medicine I needed to make sure I keep it.

After the game, we returned to the hotel to find the South Korean team staying about 50 yards away. The media was camped out, waiting for interviews, and everyone was in great spirit. I stuck around, managed to give an interview on South Korean TV celebrating their team, and joined in with my video camera (which has recorded 518 short videos and counting) for a few player interviews. It has become a familiar scene -- hordes of media from around the world with their high tech equipment -- and me with my little camera.

Up next is Brazil vs. Portugal, and I plan to be in the stadium watching what is being billed as the top game in the group play. Does it get any better?

June 19 - Follow-up from the Dutch invasion of Durban...

The beaches of Durban turned into mini- Amsterdam, as the Dutch painted the city orange before beating a surprisingly competitive Japan 1-0. I had a chance to see it live, and it was the best atmosphere yet. Not the best game, but an enjoyable one, nonetheless. I knew we were in for a treat when I read in the morning paper that thousands of Dutch fans were camping nearby in Durban, and they planned to meet at the Fan Fest and walk the beach promenade to the game. In addition, Japanese supporters stepped up big-time and were able to do what no other country could...drown out the vuvuzelas with their cheering. The result was a spirited stadium that had the feeling of a Halloween party and a game which was close enough to keep things interesting. While many countries try hard to have a good time, the Dutch just do it. It seems to come naturally for them.

Like their first game, the Dutch fans were happy with the result, but not enamored with their performance. They have high standards for their team, and while their football was skillful and entertaining, they can play better. I haven’t had the privilege of seeing the Dutch team play live that often, so it was a real treat. I won’t bore you with my analysis of the game if the Dutch have peaked early only to crash out of previous events, you get the impression that there is more in store for them this time around.

I will say it was great to see the individual players and the qualities they brought to the game, even if their collective effort needs to improve. I follow the EPL on a weekly basis, so it was nice to see van Persie (so much taller in person) even if he was largely ineffective, and Kuyt (what a fighter) live in the flesh. Sneijder brings a confidence (almost arrogance), which pushes the team forward, and van Bommel is an absolute terrier. In some ways, he appeared to be the glue to the Dutch team, at least on the day. Van Bronckhorst, the captain, looked to get involved from his left back position, and at times played like a wide midfielder or even winger. Van der Vaart surprised me with his fighting spirit, as I’ve always known him to be the #10, but he engaged himself in the dirty work, too. The game certainly missed Robben, who is nursing an hamstring injury, and hopefully will be available later to display his artistry.

Japan played a solid game and kept it interesting until the final whistle. We sat next to a “Japanese Ultra” group, who were the life of the stadium. For the first time in three live games, I could barely hear the vuvu’s. Their experience was the exact opposite from the Dutch, as they were discouraged with the result, but happy with the performance, as heading into the game, they were not confident taking on a team with the reputation of the Dutch. Many of the Japanese reporters and TV crews are staying at my hotel, and they said everyone was proud of the team, but disappointed that they didn’t tie or win.

The sponsor guests appear to be enjoying a terrific World Cup experience. Starting with a special breakfast in the morning at their headquarters hotel, hopping on a stadium shuttle, enjoying access to the hospitality tent before and after the game with an array of drinks and delicious food, World Cup gifts for all of the guests, and, of course, great seats in the stadium. The guests range from high level employees to sweepstakes winners.

All in all, due to the massive Dutch and Japanese crowds, the game day experience was the best yet, even if the actual game didn’t measure up to the excitement of the 4-0 Germany win. Up next for me is Nigeria vs. South Korea, which lacks any global appeal, but may end up being a barnburner...that is the beauty of this World Cup, you just never know.

June 18 - Durban

The U.S. game was an emotional roller coaster... I watched most of the game at the beachfront Fan Park with approximately 75-100 Americans mixed into a crowd of roughly 500, many of whom had American flags, uniforms and their faces painted. I joined friends and kids from my hometown, and it was great to experience the game with familiar faces. I had a meeting and arrived late, and the score was 1-0. Immediately after I arrived, Slovenia scored again, much to the dismay of the U.S. crowd, which had gathered at the front of the Fan Park.

Everyone was depressed at the half...the Cup is over for the U.S. England fans nearby were rubbing it in. It really didn’t look promising. But, as we Americans tend to do, we started trying to rally the energy and talking about getting an early goal to get back in the game. Donovan’s early goal was just what the fans needed to believe again. The crowd absolutely erupted, jumping up and down in the sand, rushing the massive TV screen and chanting and hollering U-S-A. People who had never met were hugging and high fiving, and the U.S. squad was back in the game.

After we scored the tying goal, it was even more jubilation. "YES WE CAN" erupted from the crowd, over and over. USA – USA! I personally ran a little loop in front of the English fans, giving them a little taste of their own medicine. For the remainder of the game, every American in the crowd was cheering with great intensity, almost as if we were in the stadium, and our efforts were going to make the difference.

When we scored the go ahead goal, which was a thing of beauty, we celebrated like we had won the World Cup. You could tell that everyone in the crowd who wasn’t from the U.S. was secretly wishing for a moment like this with their country. Down 0-2, we suddenly led 3-2...or so we thought.

After the goal was called back, we all stared in disbelief as we watched the replay, which only solidified in our minds what an amazing goal it was. We felt robbed, and had we not felt good about coming back from two goals down, we may have ripped up the TV screen and thrown it into the Indian Ocean. The game ended, and we hung out with mixed emotions. Happy that we battled back to tie the game. Frustrated that the goal was called back. And, optimistic that we still had a fighting chance to advance.

Netherlands vs Japan next...
I will have a chance to attend the game, and as a big Dutch fan, I am super excited. Today, I spent about an hour with Babak Milani, who is a top reporter for the German Bild Newspaper, which is the equivalent of a USA TODAY – a national daily paper. Speaking of Germany, it is amazing how quickly they went from the talk of the tournament to being in a must win situation...it can be a cruel tournament. Anyway, Babak’s job is to cover the Dutch team, and he spent the morning at their training. It was interesting to speak with him about soccer in the U.S., as well as covering the Dutch team. He will follow them through the entire World Cup and knows many of the players, as he also is a reporter for HSV, which is Hamburg’s top club team and features many Dutch players. It is these experiences, whether it be speaking with a South African taxi driver or one of Germany’s top soccer reporters, that I enjoy about the World Cup. And, of course the games.

South Africans continue to make a positive impression...
My first impression was very positive, but they continue to impress me at every turn. I find the South Africans I have interacted with (taxi drivers, hotel staff, shop owners, waiters, business colleagues, etc.) all to be very welcoming and helpful. Durban reminds me a lot of the San Francisco Bay Area, where for the most part, people have a positive outlook on life...must have something to do with the coast and sun. I’m not saying there aren’t problems, and today for the first time I found myself in an area that made me uneasy, just a few blocks from where all of the journalists and fans are staying. However, everyone involved in the World Cup is working hard to make their guests' stay as enjoyable as possible, which is much appreciated.

June 16 - A World Cup ending to a World Cup day...

After a busy stretch to get settled in and organized, today provided me with a chance to catch up. I decided to watch the Portugal vs. Ivory Coast and Brazil vs. North Korea games close to my hotel. Still plenty of action and fans from around the world, but a little more convenient and relaxing than heading to the Fan Park. As I was leaving the restaurant, I noticed a World Cup team bus. Turns out it was Cameroon, and they were having dinner two doors down from my hotel. Within a few minutes, the team exited the bus and was surrounded by approximately 50 adoring fans. Of course, we all wanted to see Eto. All of the players, including Eto, were gracious and shook our hands, high fived and took photos with people as they waited for the bus. I counted 11 police cars in front of the bus and at least eight behind, as well as a small army of police officers who escorted them from the restaurant. They looked safe and relaxed.

Spain game, then paella...
Today I managed to accomplish something very important...find a place to have my favorite Spanish dish after the Spain game. Just a few blocks from my hotel, there is a Spanish “tapas” restaurant. I’ve poked my head in twice already and asked if they had paella and the answer was “no” as they are a tapas bar. Today, I bumped into the owner and he asked the chef to see if it was possible. I told them with Spain in town, not having paella was a missed opportunity. They agreed, so, let’s just say that they decided to put paella on the menu for Wednesday night after the game. If Spain wins and I have seafood paella, it will be a tough day to top...but I will keep trying!

Massive global effort to host the FIFA World Cup....
The majority of the responsibility to organize the World Cup falls on FIFA, soccer’s governing body, and the host country, in this case South Africa. However, it truly is a global effort to put on a successful tournament. Until Germany in 2006, when I wrote a 30 day blog from Germany, my World Cup experience was largely from the perspective of a former player, current coach and avid soccer fan. Being involved here in Durban and seeing the SportsMark team in action in each of the host cities, I now have a better appreciation of the scope of work which goes into the event.

Without the fans and FIFA sponsors, it would simply be another tournament. The FIFA World Cup experience is truly unique.

June 13 - Durban

My first live game in South Africa is a barnburner...
It’s 1:30am, and I just returned from Germany’s masterful 4-0 win over Australia. Although I’ve been in South Africa about one full week, my FIFA World Cup officially started today. There really is nothing like watching a live World Cup game...I attended the game with a South African colleague, and we arrived early to soak it in. The only negative from the night was the stadium lines were too long, but as it was their first game at Durban, I will cut them some slack.

Durban stadium ready for takeoff...
What a stadium. I’ve been to a few over the years, and it is comparable to all the best...FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp, Arsenal’s Highbury, Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. It is massive enough to seat 70,000 fans, yet it feels like every seat has a dream view (ours actually did). Obviously, I got a bit caught up in the emotions of seeing my first World Cup game in South Africa, but the stadium invites those feelings. It is clean, it glows in the night, and it has all of the trappings of a stadium built in the past year. The sound and television systems are first class allowing you to recapture highlights and feel the music and passion of the fans. The fan areas with sponsors and VIP areas are spacious and well-positioned, and the concessions area efficiently designed as well.

Aussies dominate the crowd, Germans dominate the game...
Both countries had a large and spirited following on the night. As there were so many South Africans and other countries in attendance, it was hard to tell where the breakdown was until the introductions. At that point, it was clear that about two thirds of the fans were pulling for the Green and Gold. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much to cheer about. Both sets of fans were spirited, with face painting, flags, vuvuzelas, and wacky costumes that looked years in the planning.

I brought my vuvuzela, but only used it in during the pregame and after goals. While many used them the entire game, it wasn’t annoying to those in the stadium. The poor players, well, let’s just say it certainly affected the Aussies. I’m told the games with the majority of the fans from South Africa are much louder, although by no means did this game lack noise or atmosphere.

GERMANY!!!!!
I was proud to be part German tonight. I was rooting for the Germans, and had a touch of red and black to show my support - nothing over the top, but enough to show my commitment. It is hard to tell whether the result and performance were a sign of Germany’s strength, Australia’s weakness or a combination of both. In all aspects of the game, Germany was brilliant, clearly outclassing Australia. Germany has always been known to perform in the big tournaments with their winning mentality and also have always been tactically sound. What I didn’t expect were some of the individual brilliance and creativity. It dawned on me that their team is young, but most are playing big roles in major teams like Bayern Munich, and they used that confidence against an Australian team who looked like they were just happy to be in the tournament.

Stadium vs FanPark experience...
Both were awesome, but the stadium experience allows you the complete view of the game, verses the Fan Park experience which the view is what the television crews decided to film. It just can’t be compared, and on a night like tonight, being in the stadium and seeing Germany’s quality around the ball was probably something you picked up on TV, but their tactical discipline, movement off the ball and team shape was something you could pick up with a complete view of the field.

On the other hand, you could probably see the Australians lacked confidence under pressure, and failed to give options in their buildup, but even more shocking was to see their inability to adjust to their opponent as the game wore on. Within a few minutes, it was clear to me that Germany would combine and exploit the Australian team. They pushed their defense high and invited the Germans to penetrate the wide areas and get in behind, yet dropped off to condense the field and gave Germany acres of space and time to develop their attack. The fact that Germany was so clinical in their finishing meant they scored 4 and had 8-10 other bonafide scoring chances, which is unheard of at this level. Pim Verbeek, their Dutch coach had no answer and failed to make any adjustments to stop the early bleeding. The result was the game was never in doubt. Anyway, enough analysis, but while watching the game at the Fan Park allowed me to focus on being a fan, watching the game live with such a great view and two contrasting performances continually allowed you to both enjoy and analyze the game.

June 12 - Durban

Put another bratwurst on the barbie...Germans and Aussies invade Durban!

I’m back in Durban, but when I left for Joburg, you could feel that Durban was ready for more action. And, more action they got! Upon my return, the airport was flooded with visitors. Lots of Germans and Aussies, who play Sunday in Durban. I will be at the game, too. They expect a batch of departures and arrivals every two-three days, as well as a group of fans who have decided to stay in Durban for the entire tournament, because, well, it is the warmest spot in South Africa and is the place to be.

So many options to watch games and be entertained...

• Bars and restaurants – almost every game at almost every place
• Fan Park – two options in Durban, both with massive jumbotron screens and live djs – ranging from 5,000-25,000 fans giving you a stadium-like atmosphere
• Fan Fest – these are outdoor venues with live concerts and entertainment throughout the day
• Stadium – if you are lucky enough to have tickets, it is the place to be.

I decided to head to town to watch the US vs England game at the Fan Park. On the way, I met a family that included cousins from South Africa, Spain and England. We traded friendly banter, as they were all cheering for England, and I, of course, held my ground as the only American. We arrived at the Fan Fest as the National Anthem was starting, and I had chills as I stood with approximately 5,000 other fans with a massive viewing screen in front of me, the Moses Mabihda Stadium glowing to the left of me, and the Indian Ocean to the right. Does it get any better?

I now own two vuvuzelas...my new one is the real deal. It not only has a South African flag covering it, but it has a shoulder strap, too. I will save it for the big games (what better game than US vs England?), kind of like those new boots you wait to break in. Well, I can now see why there are so many...it is addicting and fun. On the bus ride over, I quickly realized that I could hardly make any noise. Initially, it sounded like a dying cat, not the intimidating and powerful sound you hear in the stadium. With a quick tutor (there is a technique to it) and a lot of practice (I’m talking almost constant for 4 hours to the point where my lips hurt this morning), I was able to work towards a much better sound. In fact, on the way home, I bumped into the same group I traveled with, and they were impressed with my progress. I might have a future in it...

Word/saying of the day... So many new words, as there are 11 official languages. They call traffic lights “robots”, which took awhile to figure out, mainly because many of the drivers don’t actually use them!

June 11 - A Historic Day in Johannesburg!

Joburg is ready for history… I was scheduled to be in Durban today but had a change of plans and now I’m in Joburg. I didn’t complain about the chance to be in Joburg on what headlines are saying will be remembered as one of the most important days in the history of South Africa. It looks like we will be able to watch the game at one of the FanFests. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the FanFests were almost as much fun as being live in the stadium, and I’m looking forward to celebrating this historic day side by side with the people of South Africa.

We are driving through Joburg right now, and it’s about 7:30am. One of my just came up with the saying “VWD,” which is quite fitting. Vuvuzela-ing while driving…and there is a whole lot of it going on. You can start to sense the energy and excitement building, and it’s still early…

Netherlands on the move…We saw the Netherlands bus today as they are in Joburg in advance of their opening game vs Denmark on June 14th. Their bus slogan is “Don’t fear the top five, fear the Dutch eleven.” I’m a big fan of the Dutch, as my family has hosted hundreds of Dutch coaches over the past 15 years. Top level coaches, under the guidance of Frans Hoek, who is the former assistant coach of Ajax Amsterdam (during their Champions League title winning season), FC Barcelona, the Dutch National team, and as of recently Bayern Munich, where he will be Louis van Gaal’s assistant. I’ve always been impressed with the Netherlands’ ability to consistently produce world -class players, especially with a country with such a small population. Although they have yet to win a FIFA World Cup title, their history over the years is nothing to be ashamed of and have provided the World Cup with some of the most attractive attacking soccer. Having said all of that, you could argue that they should fear themselves, as on occasion they have been their own worst enemy. Could this be their year?

Nelson Mandela Square…this morning we drove through the Mandela Square, which has an even more special meaning today, as without his support and commitment to his country, the World Cup would not be kicking off in South Africa today. Mandela should be a proud man today, knowing his country truly loves and appreciates him, something which has been evident in every conversation I’ve had with people ranging from taxi drivers to fans I have met.

From The Times, which bills itself as the Paper for the People:
Let’s go! – the front cover with full page photo of South African fans clad in the Bafana Bafana jersey

We’re standing on the threshold of history – page 3, which has President Zuma saying this is one of a few moments that will define South Africa’s history

Going for the kill – back cover

Messi aims to please – Argentinian star wants to show country he can play as well for Argentina as he does for Barca

From The Star:
The World in Bafana’s hands – front cover with picture of the FIFA World Cup trophy being hoisted

Next moment of greatness – front cover, which speaks to June 11, 2010 being a defining moment for the country

Word/phrase of the day: Ayoba, which means fun in Zulu. With the World Cup finally kicking off – it’s Ayoba time!

Enjoy the game!

June 9- Welcome to South Africa...

After months of anticipation and almost 30 hours en route, I finally arrived in Johannesburg (Joburg). You only get one chance at a first impression, and South Africa scored big-time with me. My flight was just a few minutes late, our bags arrived quickly (and at first glimpse intact), and customs went very quickly as soccer aficionados from the globe arrived to join the celebration. As I strolled through the airport, which I found very clean and welcoming, FIFA World Cup ads, welcome signs, and staff were everywhere you turned. At San Francisco International Airport, there was very little indicating the approaching tournament, and World Cup fever had yet to catch (hopefully it will). In London’s Heathrow, you could definitely feel the excitement and get a pulse of the importance of the event for England. Joburg was, well, off the charts...as it should be as the host nation.

Arriving in Terminal One – Germany (the team, not the country), Shakira and Me...
On the tarmac next to us, I was a bit surprised to see a half dozen men with machine guns (they looked machine-like anyways) and a noticeable police presence. It turns out ‘Der Mannschaft’ had arrived, and it was evident that FIFA takes no risks with arriving teams. Interestingly enough, Shakira, who is in town for the Kickoff Concert on Thursday also arrived with a high-powered entourage. I made my way to the exit and wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I stepped into the open airport for the first time. Would there be a buzz, as the event had yet to start? Most importantly, would I be able to find the driver who was there to pick me up?

Before I could answer either of these questions, I turned the corner into thousands of people, a few hundred with a sea of signs, as apparently, everyone arriving that day had a driver waiting. Cameras and crews from around the world were giving interviews, and waiting for the German team and presumably stars like Shakira. The place was absolutely electric. I quickly made out camera crews speaking a half dozen languages (it took everything I had not to step into a few interviews), but at first glimpse, I was unable to find the sign with my name on it. I made another loop and finally saw a sign for Sony, one of the FIFA partners and a client of SportsMark. They were kind enough provide two extra sets of eyes, and we quickly spotted my sign and driver. The place is definitely buzzing though...

Security and Safety at Every Turn...
Due to safety concerns, I will be able to provide limited specifics of my duties. I will be working with FIFA partners and sponsors, and security and safety is on everyone’s mind. Prearranged travel with reliable transportation services, armed escorts as needed, and, as I found out today, super secure office vaults. Today was a meeting and prep day for me, and I spent two thirds of it in a collection of offices which have been set up in a vault-like fortress. Armed guards at the gate, many of their staff with handguns, and a high-level fingerprint scan entry, all which combine for a very safe working and storage environment.

Airports can be a telling indication - pressure on England when they take on USA...
Let’s not kid ourselves. The pressure is on England. Not just the pressure of the game, but the pressure of the country. By no means am I saying the U.S. fans don’t care about the Cup, as this blog is evidence that people do care. However, in London, every paper or magazine worth anything is providing in-depth coverage. Front page headlines and stories about everything from Rio’s injury to the added pressure Capello faces. World Cup guides lined the shelves. The pressure is something very “real”.

I’m not talking “real” like the token Time Magazine cover or USA Today World Cup Guide that I saw at SFO. By “real” I mean the estimated 20 World Cup full color, 150 plus page guides, the potato chip bags, the soda cans and candy bars all with the English FA logo, an English player or a reference to the upcoming World Cup. The English uniforms on display and for sale. Banners and promos involving the Three Lions or World Cup at every turn. While US fans are hoping they can knock off England, the pressure to win is most certainly on England. If I were a Vegas oddsmaker and had to guess the ratio of pressure on the two teams just from being at SFO and Heathrow, I would say it’s close to 50:1. Maybe even closer to 100:1. That’s “real”, and the English team carries that pressure with them every time they step on the field. Over the years, Capello has been masterful about turning that pressure into results, leading Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid to titles. Can he duplicate that success at the World Cup level? Time will tell...

Flags galore - which says it all - South Africa is extremely proud to host the World Cup...
As we left the airport, the streets were lined with flags from around the world, but were dominated by South African flags. On virtually every street corner, cars are bombarded by street vendors, many clad in brightly colored overalls, selling items to passengers– mainly newspapers and flags. There were flags which fly from the car window, normal sized flags, and the one which caught my eye is the side mirror socks, which can be seen on about every 10th car on the road.

It reminded me of Germany in 2006, where for the first time in recent memory, the Germans proudly displayed their flags en masse. If the number of South African flags I saw today indicates their excitement and pride in hosting the Cup, they are ready to roll. It was also evident from speaking with South African folks throughout the day, that this opportunity means a lot to them and their entire continent. They are extremely proud to be hosting the Cup, and they want to get it right.

Other FIFA World Cup Experiences...
Hello Mr. President...I bumped into Sunil Gulati, US Soccer President at the FIFA ticket center today. He looked calm, unlike the rest of the crowd, all of which were eager to get their hands on tickets. It was a bit strange that he was wearing an England scarf and Brazil t-shirt, however.

African winter feels like summer...The weather was beautiful today. Approximately 55-60 degrees and clear. I’m regretting packing that 14th jacket in anticipation of the African winter.

Word/saying of the day...howsit (I’m guessing on the spelling), which is how most people greet one another. How is it or how are you, all put together quickly. I’m hoping tomorrow I learn how to respond properly.