Just getting started

My favourite moment of the World cup so far (and this might be surprising to most) is when North Korea scored against Brazil! NK played such a good game, they didn’t dive, they have very little international experience (as a squad) and they were holding Brazil to a 0-0 score line. When Brazil scored (and then scored a 2nd time) I felt bad for the Koreans. As a nation they may not be models of perfection but towards the end of the game I didn’t want to see them come away empty handed.
It is (I think) very hard to decide who will get through to the semi’s and to the final. The favourites haven’t exactly impressed (Brazil and Argentina just winning, Spain losing, France/England/Italy/Portugal drawing) but i think we have seen a few glimmers of hope. I think Argentina, Brazil, Germany and either Spain or Paraguay will make it to the semi finals with it being an all South American final Argentina Vs. Brazil.

I think South Africa has done a very good job with the event organisation. I have heard there have been problems with how tickets have been distributed but I believe this is FIFA’s fault. South Africa is still a country with many severe problems (regardless of how far they have come) so to be able to put on a show and provide facilities like these is testament to their love of the game.

The next matches I really want to see are Ivory Coast vs. Brazil and Brazil vs. Portugal but to be honest some of the best matches have been with the slightly less successful teams so I’d also like to see Mexico vs. Uruguay & France vs. Mexico. I will probably watch a few at home during the week with my flatmate and then go to the pub on the weekend and meet up with friends.

I have seen many brands (Mars, Coke, Kit Kat, EDF, UPS etc) advertising either their sponsorship of the World Cup or just supporting the English Team and appearing to be a sponsor. I haven’t really seen anything I’d consider cool though. They have all done very similar advertising, no one really being creative if you ask me and all focusing entirely on brand promotion. That’s fair enough, why spend money for no reason...but I’m 24, male, enjoying the World Cup, work in media, have a sport science background and enjoy going out like most and i have seen nothing original and nothing to really excite and engage with fans. Im sure they could do better!

I think it’s been a little slow so far but once we get to the last group stage games and move on I think that it will get very interesting!