Exciting news from Germany this week - the World Cup draw was made! Thankfully England will not play Holland in the early stages, thereby averting a family crisis temporarily.
Sadly, aside from the excellent public transportation, the pristine autobahns, the efficient hotels, the outstanding stadia and the fervent local support, there is absolutely nothing good about the next World Cup being in Germany. I can't wait for South Africa in 2010.
Fundamentally, there are just too many football fans in Germany and too many countries nearby with the same problem. Japan was easy. No-one wanted to go there, so Poddy and I got tickets no problem. Portugal was relatively easy too thanks to the Portugese being too poor to afford the tickets, but Germany...pah! too many rich football fans by far.
OK, maybe there's one good thing: the matches will be played at roughly 6am, 9am and 12pm Pacific Time, which is a damn site better than the 11.30pm, 1.30am and 4.30am of the Japan World Cup. Clearly, I am still going to have to miss a lot of work in June.
Of course, I'd much rather BE in Germany in June but everyone knows there's bugger all chance of getting tickets. Just for fun though - why not, I play the lottery - I'm going to apply for tickets for the third time on Monday. Don't hold your breath.
Can you believe the draw? I LOVE IKEA so now will be really torn in the Svenska game.
What news on the house in San Fran?
Posted by: Anu | December 10, 2005 at 03:59 PM
Alternatively you could do what I have spent the last few months doing - namely, trying to convince my clients that they have to carry out some form of direct PR activity at the World Cup.... So far, one of them is a definite 'yes', two more still tbc....hurrah!
Posted by: Matt | December 11, 2005 at 05:19 AM
I note that Scotland avoided both Holland and England too, thus averting any other disagreements.
Posted by: ian | December 11, 2005 at 11:20 AM
Anyone else find it amusing that Argentina-Holland-Ivory Coast-Serbia has been dubbed the group of death? I had dinner with an American this evening who is feeling decidely stuffed by the Italy-Czech-USA-Ghama combo.
Posted by: David McCulloch | December 12, 2005 at 06:13 PM
What's the betting that Spain fail to qualify from their group of undeath?
Posted by: ian | December 13, 2005 at 12:22 AM