The Final

I am still not hundred percent but well enough to take Patch and Maxy to the park where we had the record number of Italian Greyhounds in one place. The new record is 14 iggies. We had to leave at 5pm sharp as I had to take Matthew and two of his friends to the Confederations Cup final. It was a spectacular game between USA and Brazil where the underdogs had the many times world champions playing catch-up but in the end in extra time Brazil managed to equalise and finally win. This evening’s photo is of the closing ceremony showing Africa’s people to the world.

At least we tried

We have just come back from the Brazil – South Africa soccer game and it is already after midnight. From the left is Justin, Louise, Lucky and Matthew. Wow South Africa played well with Brazil only managing to score from a penalty right at the end of the game. What South Africa needs is a striker or two. They were good in mid-field and defence but just could not put the ball where it counts. I’ve just heard the news on the radio of unconfirmed reports that Michael Jackson has died from a heart attack. I suppose if it is true it will be in the papers in the morning. Well let me get to bed as I have only four hours until I have to get up for work.

Spain vs South Africa

Matthew, Brian, and I went off to Bloemfontein to watch South Africa play against Spain in the Confederations Cup. We caught the Shosholoza Meyl along with all the other jubilant Bafana Bafana supporters. This was to be a 24 hour male bonding session. The train left at 9:30am and literary bounced all the way to Bloemfontein. Alcohol flowed freely, dancing rocked, flags fluttered, singing harmonised and vuvuzelas wailed all the way. When I said bounced, the train was bouncing to the rhythm of stomping feet. Thankfully the train safely made it to Bloemfontein at 4pm and the kids were eager to get going. We stopped at the KFC for supper before walking to the stadium. This time we had gotten the cheaper tickets but in a way it changed the atmosphere. In the last game we went to in Pretoria, the vuvuzelas caused us to be temporary deaf but this time we were amongst real passionate Bafana supporters. The singing in harmony and flag waving to the beat of the drums and blaring vuvuzelas was beautiful. Matthew and Brian got into the spirit and we tried to get our flag waving in time with the fans. We were looked after by the Bafana supporters on the train and at the stadium. Beer was pushed into my hands by the supporters and they were like mother hens to the kids. Matthew even got a nick name on the train, Harry Potter, because they said that he looks just like the star, with his long blond hair, blue eyes and glasses. A number of fans had their picture taken with Matthew. Thank you to all that made this day memorable to me and the kids.

Italia

What a game. Matthew and I have just returned from watching Italy beat the USA 3-1 in the FIFA Confederations Cup match held in Pretoria. It started off slowly with USA leading at half-time after a penalty kick after Altidore took a dive in the box. I must say he makes diving look graceful. Eventually one of the USA players got a red card and was sent off. Anyway the second half changed quickly after a barrage of goals made it 3-1. Well it is good to be home, slightly deaf from all those vuvuzelas and horst but good to be home.