World Cup Finals Atmosphere

Yesterday, I fulfilled my life-long dream of attending a World Cup Finals match.

There was no shortage of celebration and camaraderie amongst fans before, during and after the game.

I sat behind the goal right next to the South Korean supporters. At first I was skeptical because as an American, I would like to see the winner of the tournament come from a country on our side of the world, a.k.a Uruguay.

But as the fans started to filter in my allegiance switched to the Koreans. Korea has one of the biggest fan bases in the world considering the size of their population. I’m sure their spirit and support throughout the match emulates the popularity of the sport in their nation.

A huge South Korean flag blanketed the entire section of stands I was sitting in, during the national anthem. Hundreds of fingertips rippled the white flag, with blue and red in the middle, up and down.

Fans representing around 30 nations were in attendance. The countries on display ranged from the U.S. to England to South Africa. Avid supporters draped themselves in flags, rocked replica jerseys, covered their face in paint and some wore team scarves.

Most of the Korean fans wore a national bandana around their head with hand held flags secured in the back of it.

The Vuvuzuela that most Americans have been complaining about were ever present. The Koreans seemed to have embraced them just as much as the African continent. They blew red and black ones throughout the game. They voiced their appreciation for their team as the horns got louder.

The Vuvuzuela was the best part of the game experience. I think without this instrument, the World Cup would not be truly African. It originated in Africa, so to ban it would be injustice. With it though, you have a true taste of the continent.

Similarly to attending a game live, the Vuvuzuela is more enjoyable in person than on TV. And if you are still fed up with the buzzing sound of it on your TV, clearly you have not been watching the tournament regularly. It annoyed me when I first heard it, but it has gotten to the point where I don’t even notice it anymore. I think most countries have accepted it and it appears like a small portion of them will live on for the next couple of World Cups, especially when African teams take the field.

A Mexican player said that it didn’t affect his performance on the field. He said there is pressure to perform and it adds a lot of noise, but it is the player’s responsibility to worry about what is happening on the field. He added that Vuvuzuelas are what makes this World Cup African.

Another way in which this sporting event was different from any other in America, and something that surprised me, was the respect shown by opposing fans towards each other. With thousands of Vuvuzuelas sprinkled throughout the stadium, it shocked me that there was dead silence for both national anthems.

My preconceived notions before the tournament were that fans are hostile, but I have not witnessed any violence. Korean fans honored Uruguayan goal scorer Luis Suarez when he was subbed off with a round of applause him for his solid performance. They also never wavered, standing behind their team the entire match even though they trailed for the majority of it. Koreans are the biggest die-hard fans I have ever seen. After the match the South Korean players stood in front of our section and bowed in unison in gratification of the Korean faithful.

The world’s biggest sporting event lived up to it’s billing.

England Face Must Win Against Slovenia

In a group labeled “easy” by the English press, England has two mere points heading into its final 1st round match of the World Cup.

The Three Lions face group leaders Slovenia Wednesday, June 23 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a critical tilt for both teams.

Slovenia needs a draw in order to feel safe; while it’s likely England will need a win to avoid a shocking elimination.

England tied the U.S. and Algeria in their first two matches while scoring only one goal. Even with these disappointing results, head coach Fabio Capello has maintained a positive relationship with his players.

“Really good, every time I speak to the players they follow me,” Capello said. “Whether they win or lose, we are still a team.”

Some of the blame has been placed on the shoulders of former captain John Terry, who lost his armband after his affair. Terry won back the attitudes of some fans and teammates with his recent apology. Capello has backed him through all the controversy and said he never considered dropping him for the squad.

“He is an important player for us,” Capello said.

New elected captain Steven Gerrard is aware that England’s clock is ticking following their listless games.

“After the Algeria performance, we need to focus on getting a win,” Gerrard said. “I have already seen the signs the last few days in training. We can’t wait for this game.”

The Three Lions dominated qualifying winning their group while losing one game when their World Cup berth was secured.

“In our qualifying games we were really confident, we played aggressive football, we pressed really well, we were compact and difficult to beat,” Gerrard said.

England has resembled a shell of the side that cruised through its European qualification in South Africa. Progression to the Round of 16 will be determined by England’s finishing ability in this match.

“Although we haven’t lost a game here [World Cup], things mess up in our performance,” Gerrard said. “We want to start the game very well–get the goal that we need in the final third.”

Following the Algeria game, the English were booed off the field by their fans. Gerrard said it’s up to his team to respond to the criticism in a positive manner.

“I can certainly understand it,” he said. “People have expectations; we have a lot of support out there. They expect us to win football matches and we as players take responsibility.”

It’s evident the media and fans in England are unhappy with the team. Gerrard and the rest of the English side will look to restore nationalism in their country.

“We want to change the perception of our team so far,” Gerrard said. “We want to make the nation proud and happy. A good win tomorrow will certainly give the people more confidence.”

The majority of teams under performing at the World Cup hail from the European continent. There’s speculation that the long club season in Europe, especially the EPL, where most of England’s internationals ply their trade, has contributed to these struggles.

“Maybe the long season in England does affect us, it is a difficult question to answer,” Gerrard said. “If you look at how we’re training we look fit and hungry. We need to translate that onto the pitch.”

First impressions in South Africa

South Africans live, breath and drink soccer.

The atmosphere here in Nelson Mandela Bay is incredible.


South Africa is the host of the World Cup currently taking place, and is the first African country to host the world's biggest sporting event. The team is known as the Bafana Bafana, which is Cosa and is translated as the boys.


They got off to a fitting start in the tournament's first match when they scored the first goal of the competition. South Africa held on for a 1-1 draw.


The South African side is the team the locals are watching either. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I meet somone who has watched every game.


Last night I went to a Fan Park. A local cricket stadium hosted a live viewing party with a jumbo TV screen and stage for a pre-concert.


One of the songs performed before the game was by Jackson 5. South Africa and the rest of the world play a lot of American music at most bars, clubs and convience stores.


The enthusiasim displayed at the stadium was sensational. If the match I attend is half as lively, my life-long dream will become a reality.


The cricket stadium was packed to the upper rafters. I would say around 30,000 South Africans gathered with fellow countrymen to watch their nation play on TV.


This type of Nationalism just doesn't exist in the States for any sporting event because the World Cup is so much bigger and American's fail to reconignize it.


The only event that we can compare it to is the Olympics, but we still don't gather in enormous crowds in public, paint our faces nor spend the entire day in large stadiums celebrating our team.


Another sign of this World Cup fever is foreign exchange students are the only ones currently taking classes. For the rest of the month, which is the middle of the winter term, no South African student will set foot in a classroom.


I will be attending tommorrow's match Germany vs. Serbia and will follow up with a recap and post.

Cheers from Nelson Mandela Bay.