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The Ball 2002 is kicked over the Great Wall of China on its way to Korea & Japan

Month: June 2002

Brazil gobble Turkey

Brazilian girl films me
Camera to camera brings on the smiles

Again we have the pleasure to share a stadium with the Brazilian fans, but this time they won leaving only one game between themselves and a possible FIVE World Cup championships. ‘PENTA Campion’ rings off their lips with understandable confidence, though of course the mighty Kahn will stand between the sticks for Germany.

The atmosphere and the anticipation as we arrive the semi final.

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‘Penta Campion’ rings out here in this mpeg.

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Tokyo stylee

Nothing in Tokyo is this free
Nothing in Tokyo is this free

Our last game of the trip, organised by Taku. Chris scores a couple of cracking goals.

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Brazil v. Turkey

Phil holds the precious tickets
Phil holds the precious tickets, but his wallet is now lighter than air

Not a report on the game – mainly because it hasn’t happened yet. But when it does, we’re going to be pitchside – just scored two category one tickets…

Must dash – got a game to see!

A beautiful Red sunset

Crowds supporting Korea in the rain
Crowds framed by umbrellas

Unlucky Korea went out to the Cup last night… rather overpowered by a German team playing a similar style of football – a disciplined team game with little flair and much hard work. Korea had far fewer chances than they did against any of the latin teams that they put out of the competition, and in the end, succumbed to the sustained German pressure.

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Japan in blue

The Horror.

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Well I woke up this morning,
To catch a bullet to the game…

Bullet train logo
Shooting ourselves in the foot(ball)

But the waking wasn’t worth it,
Coz the football match was lame…

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Here we goooooooo…

We’re finally in Japan on the same soil as our boys, who in 3 ‘n’ a half hours are taking on Brazil. The tension in me runs. We are heading off to Shizuoka to get as close as we can, have no ticket and aren’t certain of a big screen situation and have also heard that it can be difficult to see games at all!!

Surely not!!

We shall see.

Come on you EEEEEENGERLAND!

Farewell Korea

Flags of friendship

So then, it’s goodbye to Korea… the Ball is moving on today, and there’s just enough time to write a fond farewell to a country we have really enjoyed visiting. I will miss Korea very much – the people have been generous, hospitable, and I’ve loved their enthusiasm for all things football-related.

I’ll be cheering for you on Saturday…

So then, no football today…

What the hell are we going to do?

Plan our travels, that’s what. Phil and I have finally got our tickets home – we head back to Europe on the 4th of July… to Paris. All the flights to the UK are booked out until the 9th July, and we both decided it would be better to get out of Japan early. Paris was our only option.

The Ball leaves for Tokyo tomorrow evening – we still live in the vain hope of finding a couple of tickets for the England v. Brazil game. Yeah, I know, fat chance… but whatever happens, it’ll be great just to be close to the action…

It’s a madhouse out there…

Unbelievable!
Unbelievable!

We learnt that it’s not the winning that counts. Wherever you go, playing football can be used to improve diplomatic relations and promote peace.
– an ex North Korean footballer talking about his team at the World Cup in England in 1966

But the winning sure does feel good…

The Korean Red Devils celebrate after a famous victory.

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Koreans have taken to the streets in their thousands to celebrate their victory over Italy… and the delight that is so plainly written across their faces is equally delightful to behold. I’ve just got back from dancing down an eight lane highway in the middle of town with the crowds… beers and soju being thrust into my hands whenever they weren’t high-fiving passers-by…

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Forza Korea!

Be the Reds!
Be the Reds!

The atmosphere in Seoul is electrifying again tonight, with seemingly the entire population working themselves into a frenzy in anticipation of tonight’s big match – everyone is uniformly dressed in “Be the Reds” t-shirts (despite the team playing in pink) and starting on the soju early. We were going to go to City Hall to see the game, but then realised that we’d only be able to see the crowds – who have been gathering there since lunchtime…

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The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.