World Cup 2006: Hannover, Germany

A time to make friends. Say NO to racism!

That removable slogan, on centerfield at the beginning of every World Cup game, is so meaningful. And believe it or not, that's one of my best impressions of the Italy-Ghana soccer game we were so lucky to attend this past Monday, June 12, 2006. Friends were everywhere opposing each other's teams. And being respectful of each other!

The tickets to get into the game had a silver chip in the top righthand corner that carried all our personal info. Almost scary, if you think about it, except that we got to keep the tickets, which was cool. And after all was said and done, we did NOT need our passports to get in. Nor was there any hassle other than the body-searching every which way but loose.

Ghana, in white, started the game. I was quite amazed at myself because I think I probably saw 95% of all the plays! Usually I prefer watching sports on TV because I get so distracted by everything else in stadiums. But not this time. Our vantage point (in the yellow section--see ticket above) was so perfect at all times. I found myself glued to the ball. And my 12x optical zoom came in handy once again!

Here's my opinion: Ghana appeared to outplay Italy all over the field except at the goal, where it counts (alas!)! I found myself saying, "Come on, Ghana! Come on!" And did you hear the crowd yelling "Ghana! Ghana! Ghana!" more often than for Italy?! Don't know how this showed up on TV, but that's our perspective.

But Italy did in fact win, as you all know by now. I had thought I wanted them to win...then found myself really rooting for Ghana. Hard to explain it. It was just a feeling in the air. Maybe they WILL win one of their next games...maybe against the USA? (Not to be a traitor or anything!)

One of my favorite sights of the entire evening was this little girl having a total blast with her parents, kicking the ball back-n-forth at the FanFest area prior to the game. Like I always say about Nicholas, you have to begin somewhere...and sometime!

Here's a cute story: A little girl like this sat behind us during the game and kept yelling "I-Ghana, I-Ghana!" (pronounced Ee-Ghana). Her father lovingly told her over and over again that it was "I-ta-ly, I-ta-ly!" but the next time she'd say "I-Ghana" again. And we all smiled.

But maybe that was the point! Maybe that's what this is all about. The world coming together and making friends in such a way that we all end up entwined. And no racism!

Here's a little photo album (45 pics) of our most memorable night! Enjoy, if you want more.

And speaking of the world, I'm off now for a morning rendezvous in Hannover's Old Town with Christina. Tomorrow I start my trip home, via Duesseldorf, rendezvousing with James. I'm so lucky!!