]]> http://www.bestjobben.com/2010/07/12/rail-trail-fun-run-by-bensouthall-at-garmin-connect-details/feed/ 0 http://www.bestjobben.com/2010/06/14/fifa-world-cup-2010/ http://www.bestjobben.com/2010/06/14/fifa-world-cup-2010/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:54:42 +0000 Ben Southall http://www.bestjobben.com/?p=529

There was no way I could head home early from South Africa back to Queensland without taking in a World Cup football match, I mean the atmosphere here has been totally electric!!

Firstly I was down in Cape Town to visit a good friend of mine Jason Cummings whose family I’ve known for years as they own the Beaver Creek Coffee Farm in port Edward where I lived. Jason left for Cape Town years ago and is now the Business Director of a cutting edge digital marketing company called Big Wednesday who operate from a pretty sexy office setup right in the centre of South Africa’s mother city.

As the Best Job in the World campaign was right up there street he asked me ages ago to talk to their staff and clients all about the project, the digital side of it and why on earth I won. I flew down to CT for a few days, explored the city again, soaked up the pre-World Cup atmosphere, made a presentation and had a night out on the town with hundreds of over people on Long Street. It truly was an international festival of fun!

I flew back to Durban ready to take in one last activity before flying back to Queensland – a World Cup game! Having worked whilst on holiday for Emirates and the KZN Government I was able to get a pretty decent ticket for the opening game at the Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban.

After a fantastic welcome party at uShaka complete with Zulu dancers Ina Cronje the Finance Minister who has very kindly been looking after me whilst here in SA, and I headed in convoy through the streets of Durban past waves of gold and green Australia supporters to the stadium. Where were the German fans??

It looked absolutely stunning with lines of people entering from the Fan Parks, lights beaming up into the sky and a buzz I’ve never really felt before from a sports match. We made our way to our seats which happened to be about three rows away from the South African President Jacob Zuma and settled in for a good game…..at least I hoped so!

Germany v Australia could have been a well-fought match I thought, ok on paper Germany should easily beat the Socceroos but I saw the Aussies play a few months ago and they looked pretty effective – although it was against Indonesia.

The sound of the vuvuzela’s was deafening, they’re an African horn which everyone is using here and the sounds goes around the neighbourhoods from 5am until 1am – literally ALL day and here was no different.

As soon as the whistle went the German team looked typically efficient, well organised and methodical – exactly as we’ve come to expect. Within 10 minutes the first goal had tugged at the back of the net – a blasting drive from Podolski, and the Germans never looked back.

By half time the scoreline had been doubled with Klose heading in from close range and the halftime whistle couldn’t have come early enough for the disillusioned Australians – something was missing – virtually any resistance or midfield!

To be fair they did return to the pitch with renewed vigour and drive; finding men, completing passes and generally offering some determination that just hadn’t been seen in the first half….until Tim Cahill was shown a totally unjustified straight red card reducing the team down to 10 men for the remainder of the game.

And the Germans took full advantage – it was backs to the walls for the Socceroos and two more goals were to follow in what turned out to be a complete walkover – GERMANY 4 AUSTRALIA 0

A comprehensive message sent out to the other teams who think they stand a chance in this World Cup. They were good….very good.

COME ON ENGLAND – YOU HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO BEAT THIS LOT!!!

[flickr-gallery mode="photoset" photoset="72157624146731649"]

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