WM 2010: Zen and the Art of English Goalkeeping

Hmmm…the first few days of the World Cup are behind us, and after a relatively low-key start the talking points revolve around the continuing tradition of goalkeeping howlers, regardless who is wearing the famous three-lions jersey between the sticks, and a wonderful performance from a young German team that produced the most exciting football of the tournament so far.

In Berlin the flags are flying…for the national team of course, but you can spot the colours of most of the competing teams somewhere in the city. On the weekend, in Hohenschönhausen, there were even a couple of English flags flying from a couple of balconies. There is no question what the sound of the World Cup is so far…and walking the Berlin streets during a match, with televisions set up outside cafes, bars, bakeries and newsagents, you get the feeling that the city is being attacked by a swarm of angry bees or hungry mosquitoes.

Today my German colleagues seem pretty happy, and in the glow of such a fine victory they are gracious enough not to tease us Englishmen too much. But as ever with the World Cup, there is hardly a pause for breath. Over the next few days these are the games we are looking forward to, and of course, are showing live on the big screen at either the Cafe or Goldman’s Bar in the Circus Hostel…

Today (14th June)

13.30 – Holland vs Denmark (Cafe)
16.00 – Japan vs Cameroon (Cafe)
20.30 – Italy vs Paraguay (Goldman’s Bar)

Tuesday 15th June

13.30 – New Zealand vs Slovakia (Cafe)
16.00 – Ivory Coast vs Portugal (Cafe)
20.30 – Brazil vs North Korea (Goldman’s Bar)

Wednesday 16th June

13.30 – Honduras vs Chile (Cafe)
16.00 – Spain vs Switzerland (Cafe)
20.30 – South Africa vs Uruguay (Goldman’s Bar)