World Cup 2010

[Maggi Young]

"But this day belonged to a proud little Pacific Island nation with just 25 professional players. The All Whites, instead, brought on bank clerk Andy Barron against the Ferrari-driving millionaires. The moral victory was theirs." 

Susan

Crikey, is that correct? Just 25 professional players?   Extra ordinary success then!

[Lesley Cox]

Martin, who'll be meeting us in the final? USA?

I noticed that after our draw against Slovakia, AUSTRALIA was claiming it - don't they always? "AUSTRALASIA tames the Slovaks" went the headlines. 

[Lesley Cox]

Maggi, soccer isn't really our thing, though these games will give the sport a tremendous boost here, especially among school kids which bodes well for the future. Of the 25 professionals, I'd be very surprised if many or any make a fulltime living from the game. Most would need  a "day" job as well, so yes, we've done OK so far.

[ArnoldT]

Beauty of the game is that a determine group can march onto the filed and perform as equals or better to seasoned pro's.

Has happened to the Italians before in England in 1966, when a tailor from North Korea did it.

There's a word in English which I'm told doesn't translate very well into other languages "Guts".

My heartfelt admiration to the all Whites.

[Martin Baxendale]

2 quotes from friends on facebook:

"Absolutely the best performance of the tournament. Well done New Zealand. England take note - hard work, belief and pride does matter."

"I agree- very glad I watched it this morning (my time). NZ should be very proud of that performance."

[David Nicholson]

Some Awards: These may be the only ones we'll get!

The 'My Grandma's a Better Defender' Award: Glen Johnson
The 'Girl's Catch of the Season' Award: Robert Green
The 'All my Brains are in my Shorts' Award: Ashley Cole
The 'Blame it all on the Fans' Award': Wayne Rooney
The 'Miss of the Season' Award: ITV
The 'Let's Take a Guy to the World Cup Who's a Virtual Cripple' Award': Fabio Capello  
The 'I'm the Nearest to Jesus so I'm Doing the Talking' Award: John Terry

Surely there must be others?

[Casalima]

As a Portugal-England-Spain-Brazil supporter, I was starting to get a bit worried, but now I have a bit more to celebrate 
(I know, I spread my allegiances ...  )

[Susan]

For those of you being driven mad by the noise of the vuvuzela!      www.theonion.com/articles/south-african-vuvuzela-philharmonic-angered-by-soc,17625/



Susan

[Lesley Cox]

While I can feel deeply for the Vuvuzela Phil, I am truly worried that the NZ Prime Minister was seen on the pitch sporting one and looking like he might blow it any minute. I don't believe our Parliament (a circus at the best of times) would be enhanced if the Vuvuzela were to be introduced to call the members to order.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you, Susan, for the link to that most amusing article! Loved it!

[ranunculus]

We should have predicted all this problem anyway ... certainly a case of deja-vuvuzela!
Too many South Africans blowing their own trumpets in my opinion.

[Lesley Cox]

They can stop blowing the darned things now. NZ is GONE! It was inevitable our bubble would burst soon but it was great while it lasted, and at least we did better than Italy!

[Calvin Becker]

Thanks for the link Susan. I really enjoyed that article! Is the noise from the vuvuzelas really that bad? I was at the USA vs Slovenia game at Ellis Park a week ago and did not find it bad/irritating at all. Maybe that's because I had a vuvuzela of my own to get carried away with, though.

[Anthony Darby]

I think if you were there it would just be part of the 'atmosphere'. Trying to listen to a commentary on TV ........ well, it's just not cricket! Talking of cricket (two - nil)......... anyone see the Isner/Mahut marathon tennis match at Wimbledon?

[Maggi Young]

I think if you were there it would just be part of the 'atmosphere'. Trying to listen to a commentary on TV ........ well, it's just not cricket! Talking of cricket (two - nil)......... anyone see the Isner/Mahut marathon tennis match at Wimbledon?

See it? I'm still recovering from it! Made history of course, but a complete disaster for both players to be so exhausted they'll go no further in the competition.