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Come on England – A time to make friends

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I have been in London for the week leading up to the world cup. The dominating news story has been Wayne Rooneys broken foot. 8 page lift out supplements in most newspapers analysing the recovery of his metatarsal.

The World Cup being in Germany of course will mean a month of war pun headlines in the tabloid papers.

Sure enough the very first match, Germany 4 Costa Rica 2, produced this headline from the Sun: First World Four

First World Four
[First World Four]

By the way, you can read trashy newspapers like the Sun, or most other newspapers without ever having to buy a copy just by riding the tube every day. Doing this when I first came to London I worked out my favourite newspapers are The Independent and The Guardian. Last time I was here The FT ran an ad campaign saying you never see The FT left behind on the train. I have found this to be true.

While the tabloids are having a German punfest, the broadsheets have been encouraging readers to not mention the war.

At the UK airports there are signs warning football fans travelling over there that war paraphernalia like Wehrmacht helmets and inflatable spitfires should be surrendered at the departure gate. There is also a reminder that performing Nazi salutes in Germany is a criminal offence.

Gatwick Advisory Warning
[Gatwick Advisory Warning]

Like the official World Cup slogan says, it’s “A time to make friends”.

Australia v Greece – M.C.G

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Melbourne: Last night Australia hosted Greece in an international friendly. In the short space between the end of the regular season in Europe and the start of the World Cup, the Australian team came back to visit family and give Aussie football fans a glimpse of their national team before they head back to Europe.

The game though was almost a home game for Greece as well. Melbourne has the world’s largest Greek community outside of Greece. With an estimated population of 600,000, that makes Melbourne one of the largest Greek cites, including cities in Greece. Hence the crowd was almost an equal mix of Aussie green and gold and Hellenic blue and white.

Over 95,000 people were there to see Australia win 1 – 0.

Australia vs Greece - M.C.G
[Australia vs Greece - M.C.G]

Melbourne Commonwealth Games

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The 2006 Commonwealth Games are currently on in Melbourne.

It is an odd event these Commonwealth Games (they were originally called the Empire Games). 71 nations and dependencies in total are represented, which is not a bad number if you are collecting numbers for a Commonwealth of Nations. The U.K though in their usual identity crisis when it comes to international sport are here as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

I was lucky enough to go to the opening ceremony. Australia’s head of State, her Majesty opened the proceedings and the night included the usual cheesy rock eisteddfod stadium performances that come with opening ceremonies/superbowls/grand finals. The highlight of the night probably being the flying iconic W-class tram, which descended from the MCG roof to the centre of the ground.

Flying Tram - Melbourne Commonwealth Games
[Flying Tram]

Like many fellow Melburnians, I was a bit sceptical of the games before it started. As a sporting event most of us take it as a practice run for real games. Australia, Canada and England competing against an assortment of Pacific Island nations and dependencies is hardly competitive. The medal tally has shown how lop sided the competition is.

I must say now though that I have been won over by the Games. There is quite a buzz and festive atmosphere throughout the city and lots to do apart from going to see sport. Festival Melbourne2006 is on during the games, with “music, dance, circus, street theatre and visual arts from all the corners of the Commonwealth”.

It is great seeing people from all nations walking the streets and all the Commonwealth flags are waving in the city as well.