2010 World Cup Here We Come!

CHECKLIST:

1. Tickets from San Jose to NY —Check
2. Tickets from NY to Durban —-Check
3. Car Rental for 9 Days —- Check
4. House Rented for 6 Weeks 500 meters from the surf—Check
5. Tickets purchased to 6 2010 World Cup games—Check
6. Extremely #$%@ing Estatic to be partaking on the adventure of a lifetime — YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!

This is it folks. It’s gonna happen! Me and the little lady are headed to the best sports event on the planet PERIOD! Let me say that again…THE BEST SPORTS EVENT ON THE PLANET PERIOD!

I’ve been very reluctant to talk about this trip over the last 3 years for fear of it not happening and getting my hopes up. After loosing my job in December I thought there was no way in hell this was going to happen. But things have fallen in place again to allow us to go. Whoever is looking out for us up there THANK YOU.

It’s less than 4 weeks from now until we leave. We’ll be arriving a week early before the event. The flight plan is a little ridiculous. We’ll fly 12 hours from San Jose to New York. Spend 1 night in the Big Apple and fly 12 hours to Dubai. From Dubai we fly 8 hours to Durban. Let’s do the math there 12+12+8= Ugh 32 hours. It plays out over 3 days. But it’s gonna be well worth it.

Below is a map of the ridiculous flight plan:

View Flight Plan to 2010 World Cup in a larger map

We’ve booked a house in the small town of Ballito Bay, 30 minutes outside of Durban, with Villa Sea’esta. It’s a 500 meters from the Sunrise break. So between games we’ll be able to score some cold water waves and dodge sharks.

As previously stated, we’ve got tickets to 6 games. The games we have are:

Game 1 = June 12th in Rustenberg

UNITED STATES

vs.

ENGLAND

My prediction? 1-1 Draw. I think even that is a bit of stretch as I think the US will have their hands full defensively. Their struggling with a number of injuries (Demerit, Gooch) in the back and both Bornstein and Spector haven’t been playing well.

WHO Do I want to win? The US. Let’s go DAMN IT. This tourney is our time to shine. No falling on our face. The loss in the finals to Brazil at the Confederations Cup last year was so disappointing. Everybody always says well it was Brazil what do you expect. I say to hell with that. Showing up and taking second place in 94 would have been great. But now there is a different level of expectation. Getting that far isn’t enough anymore. Second place is the last place to lose.

Game 2 = June 13th in Durban

DEUTSCHLAND

vs.

AUSTRALIA

My prediction? 2-1 ZZZ Germans. I’m really looking forward to this one. I think Australia has good chance of giving ZZZ Germans the run for their money. However, I think the krauts will play their normal boring style of football and pull out a win.

WHO Do I want to win? This one is tough. Never been much of a fan of German football. However, my girlfriend was born their so it’s gonna be tough to root against her Vaterland. I’d really like to see the Aussies pull this one out. I’ll try and fly under the German radar during the game with my support. OR NOT!

Game 3 = June 16th in Durban

SPAIN

vs.

SWITZERLAND

My prediction? 3-0 Spaniards. The clear favorites of this tournament coming off their win in the 2008 Euro Cup. Don’t think the Swiss have any chance in this one.

WHO Do I want to win? Spain. Really funny how much my favorite team has changed. I liken my following of Spain to the one I had with the Oakland Raiders growing up. Being born in Louisville, KY didn’t afford me a hometown NFL team. So I just went with Oakland cause I dug the whole pirate thing and colors. Ridiculous I know but that’s just what you do when you are kid. I finally migrated to being an Eagles fan after moving to Philly and living there for 10 years on and off.

With Spain it was something similar. They weren’t the greatest when I started following football back in the early 90’s. I dug their colors and a few of their players. But as I grew older and watched more of England I really got away from my love for this European team. If you are wondering the teams I’m an avid fan of they are below in order of priority:

1. US
2. England
3. Holland

AND WOULDN’T YOU KNOW IT WE’RE SEEING THEM ALL DURING THIS TRIP. HELL YEAH! Rock on Wayne!

Game 4 = June 19th in Durban

HOLLAND

vs.

JAPAN

My prediction? 2-0 the Dutch. I don’t know enough about Japan to comment intelligently. However I know that Holland went undefeated in the group stages of the 08 Euro Cup in convincing style. I believe they have a good chance to do it again.

WHO Do I want to win? The Dutch. I get a huge kick out of watching the Dutch play. They play with such style and pace. Robben, Van Persie, Von Bommel. Next to the US game this is the one I can’t wait to see!

Game #5 – June 22nd in Durban

SOUTH KOREA

vs.

NIGERIA

My prediction? 3-1 Nigeria. Why? Homish field advantage. I’ve been reading the Nigerian support at this World Cup will be tremendous.

WHO Do I want to win? Nigeria. It will be exciting to see a team from the continent win on their turf.

Game 6 = June 26th in Durban

Round of 16 game. Teams to be determined.

Well that’s all I’ve got for now. I plan on continuously updating this blog once we get closer to the World Cup. Please check back.

Like what I had to say? Even better, hate what I had to say? Leave a comment a let me know.

2 Responses to “2010 World Cup Here We Come!”

1. Nicolas V. says:

   May 11, 2010 at 4:34 pm

   Hi, Patrick
   Well good luck to you in your journey!!!!

   And you are right this is it!!! The Best Sport Event of the PLanet!!

   I’m not a good reader but somehow I like how you write, you should write a book or something.

   Pura Vida!
   Oeee oeee ooee ooee (can’t say ticos damm)

   PD: I would really appreciate if you could register at the tamarindo beach forum and make some post, you have a lot of interesting stories.
   We should make some linkexchange also.

   Saludos

   Nicolas Velasquez.
2. admin says:

   May 12, 2010 at 4:07 am

   Hello Nicolas,

   Thanks for the support buddy. Let’s talk next time we run into each other. Always open to possibilities of sharing content and linking.

   Best,

   Patrick