It has begun

The World Cup has started and the atmosphere is fantastic. It is truly a global holiday – fans from all nations are celebrating together, the games are shown in all cafes, restaurants and public places and the fan attractions around the city are very civilized. To be honest I expected rowdy fans, animosity and a lot of drunks urinating in public, but it seems like FIFA screened all the undesirables and only the well behaved fans were allowed to travel to Germany.

So far the games are mostly pretty exciting. Nicole had the good fortune to go to the perhaps most exciting game so far, which was Argentina –Ivory Coast here in Hamburg. I am sure Nicole will add her own impressions but I must report that she came home around midnight, very energized and exuberant about the game. I think watching 22 men in shorts running around has something to do with it.

A day before the start of the tournament the weather shifted from bitterly cold to a heat wave and we are spending most of our time outside. We are much more north compared to San Francisco and the days are long with the sun finally setting down around 10:30. Last night we were enjoying the World Cup festivities at 9 o’clock still thinking it was a late afternoon. So as a result the boys are going to bed very late and take long siesta naps. Oh, the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Last but not least the Czechs won their first game last night over the US 3:0. We were cheering them wrapped in Czech flags at the old Fish Market. The joy of victory was overshadowed by an apparently serious injury to Jan Koller, the giant offensive player on the team, but fortunately the latest news is that he will be able to play again. I think we might be OK without him for the rest of the group games but he will be needed in the round of 16. The final group game is against Italy here in Hamburg and I will be there! It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and the anticipation is overwhelming. Look for a first hand report after the June 22^nd game.