One World Cup

So I’ve picked up a few things in the last few days, free stuff is always good. Minus the drinks and complimentary meals that have been provided by my kind new friends its all just promotional things for companies but whatever. A few soccer balls, some Jager shwag, free coke (in bottles shaped like soccer balls no less, not shown because I neglected to save one of the 8 I drank) and my favorite, an Italy shirt from Puma.

I feel like I’ve been here a month already. Something great has happened every day and I’m trying not to miss a beat. I was in Greektown, otherwise known as The Danforth, for Greece’s first goal and win ever in the World Cup and captured their celebrations. Taste of Little Italy last weekend was very nice, College St. gets closed and lots of food and fun hits the street but too bad Italy couldn’t pull off a win over New Zealand, that would have made it extra sweet. Both England games were memorable, I was at Duke of Gloucester and then Scallywags. Portugal destroyed North Korea seven nothing and the Portuguese let everyone in Toronto know, the horns could be heard until well into the evening. The Brazil vs. Portugal game was uneventful but I think the tie eased any tension and just gave everyone an opportunity to party together. Another notable mention was Betty’s, it was packed with the Dutch, who have been having a great tournament, and they put Cameroon away 2-1.

Mighty France and Italy have both fallen while a few underdogs have pulled through. Such is the way in the World Cup. Round of 16 has started and already I have lots to talk about but I’ll wait until a few more developments to post an update.

Full documentary from Vanguard on exploitive agents and the soccer industry in Africa. Seems like a constant struggle between the love of the game and the love of money.

So far I’m shooting lots of video and visiting many different bars and restaurants, eating good food and drinking good drinks. I’ve met many people from all over the world in the last week and they are being very generous and cool. I’ll be posting a map shortly of all the places that I’ve shot in and of course everyone who’s helped me out will get mentioned once this is actually finished. Good times, I thank you all ! Please stay in touch.

So I haven’t been able to actually watch and enjoy many games considering I’m usually watching everyone else while they watch the games. There were quite a few ties at first, England frigged up a win so they will be hoping to make that back against Algeria. The Aussies got their ass handed to them by the Germans who were looking pretty solid. The Brazil game was a party, I was at a place called Rio 40°, the car horns and music could be heard all over Toronto though it was good to see North Korea actually get on the board. The biggest games are yet to come so I am pacing myself. We’ll see what happens.

Feelin’ the burn on my cam holding shoulder after the England / USA game at the Football Factory.

Tomorrow I go to battle. Actually I’m just going to go watch a couple of soccer games but I have to get up at like 8 so that’s pretty bad. Toronto rocks. I’ve already seen a lot of the city after a week and will be seeing even more over the next month. The flags and banners are out in force and dozens of bars and restaurants are making special plans to host screenings. It’ll be a lot of work but I consider this more of a working vacation, I can’t complain; I’m sure the players have more to worry about.

Kick back and watch this intense doc on hooliganism during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Its like a primer on urban warfare or something. Fortunately there probably won’t be as much of this going on during this World Cup, but I’m sure a few people will be thrown in the back of a paddy wagon.

The 1994 World Cup, hosted by the USA, was probably the first World Cup I can clearly remember. But glorious England… was not there. This candid documentary follows manager Graham Taylor and the English team’s perilous journey. The line “Do I not like that”, uttered by Taylor during a play leading to another goal against, subsequently became a notorious one liner. I think that’s actually a question, the answer being “No. No you do not.” Fortunately they qualified for this one and needless to say USA and England first round is going to be interesting. It’s not like I’m going to be a non-biased observer for this documentary. England !!!!!!!!!!!