We were absolutely dead and buried, I dunno what it looked like on TV, but the game had slowed right down, the crowd were getting aggro that the Aussies were shit, and it looked like a pathetic loss to a rubbish goal that shouldn't have been given. And then Super Timmy Cahill popped up for the equaliser - we went mental. After that everyone was just hoping to hang-on for a 1-1 draw, and Japan did look threatening for a few minutes, until Super Timmy Cahill's sensational strike from outside the box gave us the lead. In off both posts - when the back of the net rippled we erupted once more. An ocean of yellow was transformed into a roaring, surging mass of noise and joy. I was punching the air, shaking my fists, jumping up and down and yelling and shouting. The guy in front turned around and we celebrated together, although on reflection it was fairly lame. The noise was deafening and the sight of 20 000 gold-clad Aussies celebrating madly was unforgettable. Then when Aloisi scored the 3rd, we went beserk again. The guy in front and I were obviously thankful for the chance to improve on our celebrations, and we made a much better fist of it this time. My mate (John) and I hugged again, grins from ear to ear. I was hugging strangers and snogging random chicks.* Relief and unrestrained joy came out of every pair of lungs encased in a green and gold shirt. I think in those few minutes yesterday I used up a year's supply of endorphins. My only regret is that I couldn't be looking at the crowd from elsewhere, it must've been an amazing sight. I reckon Brazil must be shitting themselves now. If we can hit the back of the net three times in 8 mins, just imagine what we can do in the full 90 minutes. I predict a 17-2 victory for the Aussies (Brazil have a couple of half-decent players, so they're probably a chance to sneak a consolation goal or two towards the end, when we are 11-0 up). You heard it here first folks.
The stadium itself was fantastic, even though we had seats right up the back we still had a spectacular view, and the singing of the national anthem was spine-tingling stuff. Thankfully I didn't hear a single rendition of Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Oi-Oi-Oi. In fact there were quite a few chants that I hadn't heard before. I have reproduced a few of them here, so you at home can sing along too. They are quite complicated, and are far in advance of what we have had before, but maybe with several hours practice you might start to pick them up.
Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole
Aus-sie, Aus-sie!
(repeat)
*clap clap*
*clap-clap-clap*
*clap-clap-clap-clap*
Aus-sie!
(repeat)
Auuuuuusss-traaaaa-liiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
(repeat)
to the tune of Go West:
Stand up for the Socceroos, stand up for the Socceroos, stand up for
the Socceroos, stand up for the Socceroos!
(repeat)
Suu-per, super Tim
Suu-per, super Tim
Suu-per, super Tim
Super Timmy Cahill
(repeat)
Guus, Guus, Guus, Guus
(repeat)
Dukes, Dukes, Dukes, Dukes
(repeat)
As you can see, there is a lot of variety, and I pride myelf in being a good fan, and knowing the lyrics to all of them by heart.
In the lead-up to the match we were in Kaiserslautern (or The Slaut, as I like to call it) for a few hours and we managed to meet up with Tommy (a mate of mine with tickets to all the games as well). We also managed to meet up with tens of thousands of other aussies wearing the green and gold - yesterday Australia owned The Slaut. Every single corner of this town, every bar, every beer garden, every street, every park, every Burger King, every toilet, every everything, was full of Aussies. The Slaut was gold, a splash of green and plenty of blue Aussie flags. Fantastic. There were a few Japanese fans wandering about in their dark blue kit, and the atmosphere between the fans before kick-off was very jovial. Indeed after match it was still very good as well, but I do wonder what would've happened if we'd lost 1-0.
The German fans are out in force as well, which is actually a first for some time. Four years ago, even though they unepectedly made the final of the World Cup, people were still somewhat afraid to show much national pride - there were a few flags out, but there was still a stigma attached to it, there was still a prevalent attitude that anyone waving a German flag is a Nazi. Thankfully this world cup seems to have galvanised the whole nation - not only is everyone delighted to be hosting such an event, it seems that every German is now proud to be a German, for the first time in 60 years. The 20 - 30 year olds are leading the charge, people whose parents were mostly born after the war, and so are quite happy to be associated with Germany and national pride. Black, red and yellow adorn people, cars and buildings equally. Before the opening match the centre of Stuttgart was filled with Germans in white shirts waving German flags. It was an amazing sight. I watched the match in the local suburb where I am staying at a friend's place, which just happens to be the suburb where Juergen Klinsmann grew up. When Klansmann first appeared on screen there was rapturous applause. His Mum owns a bakery that we can see from my mate's kitchen window. Tourists keep dropping by to take photos. I think I might join them in a minute.
The flight over was boring and long, but I talked to a few guys who were going to the world cup. One bloke paid $300 for a ticket to Italy Czech Republic, and the guy next to me on the 12 hr flight paid $900 for Oz v Brazil and $1600 for an England game. He asked me how much I paid for my tickets, but I told him he didn't want to know. He also paid $12 000 for a month's accommodation in Germany. I didn't have the heart to tell him I had arranged free accommodation for five weeks. It was then that I began to have a sneaking suspicion that unlike me he didn't earn a living building a shed for his Dad. And I heard of someone else paying US$24 000 for two tickets to all semi-finals and one England game. Ridiculous.
Famous people watch:
Juergen Klinsmann's Mum - I bought a couple of Tafelbroetchens from her
Ray Martin - was being mobbed by a few fans after the match. I lobbed a huge gorbie in his direction, but I didn't get enough distance on it, so it missed**
Wayne Goninon - okay so he's not famous and he's just some guy I know, but he was sitting a few rows in front of me. I imagine he was quite suprised to see me considering the last time I saw him was a few months ago when he was talking about how he had tickets to all the matches, and I was looking all sad and depressed cos I didn't have any.
The Socceroos' goalie from 1974 (the last time we were at the world cup) - he was sitting in the row in front. I'm not quite sure if he qualifies as famous, but it makes the list look longer and more impressive, so he makes the cut.
me - yep, I'm now famous. I went to watch the England game in an Irish Pub, and Eurosport came in to do some interviews with some English fans, so they interviewed my mates, and we got on the telly. Naturally I have a tape of it and will be forcing all of you to watch it many times over. Although now that I'm famous I will probably be ditching all you non-famous insignificant scum, and I'll be hanging out and holidaying with my new-found fickle, snobbish and materialistic friends.***
Well, thanks for reading this far. But, uhhhh, I'm afraid I have some very bad news. I'm sorry to say it people, but you are probably going to hate me after reading this next bit. I think I will have to go into hiding for a few weeks whe I get back, for fear of reprisal attacks. Oh well. Read on. I've done quite a few classic trips, and had some fantastic holidays - Turkey, Tuscany, Croatia, Slovenia and Egypt are just a few that spring to mind. But this one beats them all, and rather easily too. Everything is perfect - especially the weather (it was shithouse recently, but since I got here 30 degrees plus has been the norm. Coincidence? Nope, I don't think so either), and the atmosphere in Stuttgart is superb - it is just one month long fancy dress party, and the whole world is invited. Only five days in, and I this is already the greatest trip ever. I can safely say I am living the dream. Yes, I am a very lucky guy.
Right, I'm off to town watch South Korea v Togo. Should be an absolute belter.
* May not be true
** May also not be true
*** okay, okay, this is blatantly not true.
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