Match 1 v Japan, Kaiserslautern

Our first match was in Kaiserslautern. We started off the day a bit of a rough thanks to drinking with the locals at the pub. Flying Hirsch were the order of the night - jagermeister in a bottle in a glass of red bull.




We had three hours in Kaiserslautern before the match to soak up the ambience in the beer gardens, with the aussie crowd singing along to oz rock alternated with football chants, and mocking/abusing anyone who came near in an england shirt. the streets were all lined with beer and merchandise stalls, the whole town was up for it.



Then we started the climb to the stadium. Of course they took our water off us before we started to climb in the 30 degree heat. The stadium was 38 degrees, but at least we were high enough up to be in the shade.



We were right in the middle of the Oz section which was fantastic, since the Japanese supporters outnumbered the Aussies quite significantly. it was especially good when the goals started coming, and Adam could join in the group hugs. Adam lost his voice, probably about half way through, but that didn't slow him down. The crowd was a bit quiet around half time, but it may have been heatstroke.



But we won. and everyone was ecstatic. and it has to be one of the most amazing feelings ever, a world away from anything i have experienced at any other football match. Everyone was happy.


So we drifted back to town, behind the main crowd: slowly, quietly, tiredly. Until someone started up 'if you're happy and you know it' and the whole crowd joined in. And chants of super, super, super tim echoed around as we walked through a tunnel. With no energy left, we chilled out in the shade between beer stalls in the main street, drinking and chatting, watching the sea of yellow go past, and slowly fade as the locals came out after the other games. and talking ourselves up to the brazilians. At the end of a long day, we were all tuckered out - especially andrew.