Dear Friends

Last night South Africa was eliminated from the world cup and today we are still in a state of awe - we beat France for Heavens' sake. I wish I could describe the atmosphere here, we feared our facilities would be an embarrassment, we feared terrorist attacks and above all else we feared soccer hooligans. No need as it turns out, everyone is having a blast and there has been no aggression, no fights, no riots - the worst thing that's happened so far is an irate English fan entering the team's dressing room to give them a piece of his mind.

The first game here in Port Elizabeth was Korea v Greece and the Greek supporters were utterly wonderful - it seems as if they brought every child in their country with and even though Korea beat them 2-0 they remained in splendid good humour. And the Greeks are typical of the have-fun-but-behave code of conduct adapted by all - the Serbian team train here at the university where I work and some of them actually use the library, a most charming bunch of Alpha males. Ditto the Portuguese, the Germans and the Argentineans - any nation's best should be impressive and they are.

I was convinced this world cup was going to be our darkest hour - instead I'm having the time of my life ; South Africa is awash with visitors from all around the globe determined to have a good time. And oddly enough, the vuvuzela is proving a hit with our visitors, especially the children - less so their parents.

Kind Regards
Johan

PS. After their defeat the French coach refused to shake the hand of his South African counterpart - we're in the big leagues now!

There was this issue with Dutch ladies not allowed to wear orange dresses. 2 of them have been kept in prison until yesterday...

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Vive la Marque !!

Herman do not get me started! The police service are being mercilessly castigated by the South African Press - turns out these lovely young Dutch ladies were not arrested for any criminal wrong-doing but for breaching FIFA trade agreements! This is beyond belief, the South African Police arrested (white) Dutch nationals for partaking in a guerrilla ad-campaign but do not blame the police - blame the spineless, brainless, immoral whores "governing" this once-great country.

But hey look on the bright side - no wait, this is South Africa, there is no bright side apropos the bloody ANC.

Johan

Update : Police officers responsible for arresting the Dutch women have been suspended. The political lackey who acted on FIFA's behalf will get away scot-free.

As usual....

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Vive la Marque !!

As a general rule life in South Africa is not too bad, but it must be remembered that when the ANC took over they got rid of all the highly qualified white people and replaced them with (mostly) illiterate and (universally) feckless party activists. South Africa is living proof that there is no difference between democracy and mob-rule.

Italy OUT!!
Non Potevano Andare avanti. la Squadra è stata organizzata male.. meglio adesso che la prossima volta contro l'Olanda.. Mi dispiace.. Capita Come è Capitato alla Francia..

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I Live only for... Bugatti!!! "Nothing Is Too Beautiful, Nothing Is Too Expensive..." -Ettore Bugatti-

Live according to your motto please; Football should not interest you the least bit..

And; France is also out, seems that the countries involved in the real Bugatti are better at making cars than soccer.... However, Peugeot lost Le Mans big time to the Germans...

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Update : FIFA is now prepared to use modern technology to assist referees. To which all England's fans replied : "About bleedin time."

this tecnology could save italy to the last match..

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I Live only for... Bugatti!!! "Nothing Is Too Beautiful, Nothing Is Too Expensive..." -Ettore Bugatti-

Bugatti91 wrote : "this tecnology could save italy to the last match.."

Yes it could have and it could have saved a few other teams as well. We are enjoying the company of a great many Italian soccer enthusiasts at the moment and their reaction to Italy's defeat was a terrible sight to behold, the enormous grief befitting an entire nation in mourning.

My deepest sympathies to Italy, England and Mexico. If I overlooked any nation - sorry.

Kind Regards
Johan

At 16H00 hours this afternoon Brazil takes on the Dutch in the biggest international event ever to happen here in Port Elizabeth. The atmosphere is electric and there are police vehicles everywhere.

The dear South African police - so determined to make sure not a single foreigner falls victim to our high crime rate (even poor Dutch ladies wearing orange dresses gets arrested - just in case. Amazing how many South African men are now attending soccer games wearing orange dresses and daring the police to arrest them, but I digress.) that even Coca-Cola delivery trucks gets a police escort and I have yet to see a team bus with less than 5 police cars escorting it, even more if the team is actually in the bus.

On the way to work I was greeted by the sight of large numbers of Dutch and Brazilian supporters, most wearing national colours, waving, singing and blowing vuvuzelas. And to think we were worried the trumpet-from-Hades would offend the visitors. By the way, our greatest fear, the dreaded soccer-hooligan remain absent - playing host to thousands of visitors from all over the globe is proving to be both a pleasure and a crime-free honour. That's unexpected.

Kind Regards
Johan

PS. Now that our own team is out we South Africans have taken it upon ourselves to support the underdogs - problem : Which are the underdogs - the Brazilians or the Dutch?

Support your heritage: the Dutch.

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Vive la Marque !!

when is that match anyway ?

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"Barttore has left the forum"

I did as you suggested Herman and it seems to have worked ; you guys just beat Brazil 2 - 1. Congratulations.