World Cup 2006

Still in shock over how poorly the USA played – hard to believe. If someone had said, that the USA could get in 1-1-1 and that they would tie Italy with only 9 players, I’d thought they’d make it through for sure. Heartbreak. And if they had made it, we would have got to seen them play Brazil! But obviously, we seemed to care more than the coaches and most players, so it was time to let go.
And besides, we had to go pick up our playoff tickets. So another trip out to the Nuremberg stadium to get the rest of the follow your team tickets. Part of the old stadium is still standing and it was interesting to see it. With the long walk and fewer trains (not a game day). It took a while to get there and back, but we got our tickets for the next 3 matches. With Germany winning the group, we’ll be following them, that should be great fun.
Nuremberg was a bit calmer (as were we) this day, as the final games of the first round were completing. Of course, the Spain fans were happy with their expected win. Their team is young, so Spain seems to be poised for the future – and if they keeping playing so well, their future might begin really soon.
Ukraine and Tunesia were fighting to get through, and it was too bad that that game was decided by yet another really poor PK call. But even with a tie, Ukraine would’ve made it through. Togo managed to hold off France for the first half, but unraveled quickly after giving up the first goal, their dream had ended too. Switzerland made it through as expected as well.
Gwen, Daniel and I had to travel to Munich today (rest are staying in Nuremberg) because they have a early morning flight (Gwen’s going back to Konstanz for a day) and Daniel is heading home – it’s been a whirlwind tour with it seeming like a very short and very long time that he was here. We’ll see how long his pink hair stays back home.