World Cup: Kick-off: Italy vs Paraguay group match in Cape Town
Cape Town Stadium, Monday 14 June 2010, a few seconds before kick-off. The curtain is the stadium lights through the rain.
Just returned from a lovely evening at a 2010 World Cup game. Cape Town produced a massive number of supporters for Italy; everyone was in great spirits.
We left home just after 4pm, caught the train to town and walked the 2.5km (1.4 mile) Fan Walk to the Stadium. The weather gave us a break for the walk, but we did have to run the gauntlet of a hailstorm as we were queueing to get past the ticket marshalls.
The stadium is lovely, and even though it rained throughout the spectators remained dry. I loved the colour and vibe in the crowd, and have no idea why there is such an issue about the vuvuzelas. The team that win this Wold Cup will be the ones who, with their fans, embrace the vuvuzela, not those who whine about it.
So the walk back to the station was in the rain, but we were in a good-humoured, well marshalled crowed. Train home and back just after midnight. If this is the future of public transport for Cape Town, this will really change the way we live in this city.
(For those who don't know - the match was a draw - 1 all.)
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Thanks Eleanor for being our reporter on the spot for the World Cup. The light on the rain is beautiful, like a big spotlight. Rain, hail and shine in one outing - lucky you! Please don't think I'm one of those vuvuzela-whiners! (Socceroos need all the help they can get!) - besides the TV has volume control. ; )
In Australia we've gone very quiet about the World Cup. Shhh! Don't mention the score. Good to see you enjoyed yourself. Hope the goals were scored at your end.
Eleanor this is brilliant. You've got this shot just right. The stadium looks great. Looks packed. Mike said to me that the BBC have received - you're going to laugh at this - 500 and something complaints about the vuvuzelas making too much noise.
Thanks for the comments! @Joe - Yes, it was bitterly cold - there was snow on Table Mountain this morning - and that is very rare. @Kate - unfortunately the goals were all scored at the other end. Doesn't matter! @Janet - I totally support the use of the volume control! In force in our home too. @Jeph - that is so cool :) Are you going to get them a vuvuzela and teach them how to blow it?!?
what a wonderful experience, and a great photograph to boot.
by the way, i taught my students "LADUUUUMA!" today.
see what 365 and football do?
@Joe - Yes, it was bitterly cold - there was snow on Table Mountain this morning - and that is very rare.
@Kate - unfortunately the goals were all scored at the other end. Doesn't matter!
@Janet - I totally support the use of the volume control! In force in our home too.
@Jeph - that is so cool :) Are you going to get them a vuvuzela and teach them how to blow it?!?
( I just turn the volume down on my TV & i can embrace the vuvuzela no problem... lol ...) o;