Cape of Storm Settles As Spanish Armada Sails On

CAPE TOWN. As we arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday morning, to heavy rains and gale winds, we began to wonder what effect the extreme conditions may have on the evening’s clash of the Iberian giants. For me, it’s always special to be back home, returning to Greenpoint stadium area where I lived for almost 2 years. The weather has always loomed in the background as a potential factor given this is the first winter World Cup since Argentina 1978. 

However, as the day progressed, particularly after some fine wine-tasting in Constantia, and the day darkened, the conditions actually cleared up and provided the perfect backdrop for this mammoth encounter. Parking just above the Cape Town CBD, in the Bo-Kaap, we joined the fan walk on Somerset Road in Greenpoint for a 1.5 kilometre walk into the stadium.

Africa Won, USA Out, while English Karma Disallows Goal

BLOEMFONTEIN. It was inevitable, with matches coming thick and fast, keeping up with the daily postings was going to be tricky. Apologies. 

Its Monday morning and after another hectic weekend and another 1000 kms later with my trusty Swedish vehicle, the tournament is truly beginning to take shape, including the as predicted, less than reliable refereeing decisions. 

Aint karma a bitch! Its taken some time for England’s allowed, but ‘not over the line’ 1966 winning goal to come back to them, but didn’t it come back with a vengeance in Bloemfontein yesterday as England searched for an equaliser and eventually bowed out.

Even from our end of the stand a good several hundred meters away from the contested goal line, our perch showed that the ball had crossed the line.

Then the sms’ began to flood in from New Jersey, Pretoria, and UK – ‘over by at least a yard’ … ‘should be 2-2’ … ‘shocking decision…’ and from friends in the ground… ‘the referee is wanker.’

Que sera sera. This is the World Cup! 

If the Germans don’t beat England including some luck or good fortune or dodgy decisions or penalties thrown in for good measure, then it just wouldn’t be as I have always known it.