Dispatches
Dispatch from South Africa: Off to Match 11
Weather is terrible. Bought gloves and a hat, but off we go.
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Dispatches
Dispatch from South Africa: Days Two and Three
Obviously, there was no way anyone could expect SA to keep up that pace. Needless to say, by morning, the hangover was in full effect, and there was hardly a vuvuzela to be heard before 10. The actual onset of winter weather (for here) has not helped, creating an extremely gray day. At the fanfest for the Arg/Nig first half, the crowd split fairly evenly, Messi v Africa, but far more of black South Africa participated than in the bars in around Long St. We managed a side trip to see some endangered African penguins. The metrorail train took us right there, skirting the coast of False Bay, to a sleepy, sleepy, off-season Simons Town. Very relaxed atmosphere on board, groups mixing and mingling easily, unless the vuvuzela was blown. Back to the same pub as yesterday for USA/Eng. Now the momentum in the streets is builiding again, as the
Video
England v USA LEGO
Commentary
US v England impressions
Well we didn't exactly overwhelm the brits, but we certainly snapped back from having our net violated so early in the match. Our defense is our obvious weak point, with our center backs being drawn too easily out of position, and the wingers drifting into the middle and leaving attacking players free on the flanks. Basically any overlapping or diagonal run was confusing the American marking system. We did cause some problems, and at the very least we got to see a lot of this:
Schedule
Calendar World Cup 2010 by MARCA.com
This link came to our attention via Brooklyn biergarten Der Schwarze Koelner's facebook & twitter feeds. They were not lying when they said "the fanciest FIFA schedule ever is probably this one here": Calendar World Cup 2010 by MARCA.com If we can, we will try to embed that calendar on the site here. (Note that all kickoff times on that calendar are local South Africa times..subtract 6hrs for ET, etc.
Dispatches
Dispatch from South Africa: Opening Day
Thus begins our series of on-the-ground reporting from South Africa courtesy of the lovely and vivacious Laurence Weinstein Just a huge, big, gigantic first day. First, the easy. Cape Town, with the sun shining, absolutely beautiful. Hop the topless tour bus (the bus is the one lacking a top), ride it around. Stunning views from above the city, and great town for lunch on the other side of Table Mountain in Camps Bay. Maybe we are too familiar with the Paulaner restaurant, but don't want to discount a quality place for German food and drink. The Irish place around the corner from the flat becoming another easy destination. Too, too easy. There are fewer better feelings than picking up your tickets. Swipe the card, then the printer whirrs, providing more and more access to pure happiness. Italy, Argentina, USA v Slovenia, and a possible Netherlands/Italy 2nd round match. So different
Live Blog
Liveblogging the South Africa v Mexico game!
Good morning from lovely Brooklyn, NY where we're settled in at South African restaurant Madiba. We'll be posting up action and comments along the way. We apologize in advance. Commentary after the bump! _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ [liveblog]2[/liveblog]