The Copa America is all over- well for Argentina at least.
They lost tonight to arch rivals Uruguay. Uruguay scored early but then Argentina equalised. At full time it was 1-1 so they went to extra time. Argentina pushed Uruguay to the limit with lots of chances but they just couldn't put one into the net.
The game went to a penalty shoot out and we lost 5-4. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
So now the competition goes on but without the hosts and without the same interest for us. But it has been a fun ride. And now maybe there will be some posts on other topics.
PS. If you are a football fan, it really is a game worth watching. See if you can find it on you tube or something. Intense, skilful- quite amazing.
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Football fun...
On Wednesday night we went to the football as a family- all six of us. Brazil versus Ecuador. We sat in the 'populares', which means we were just on concrete steps and found our own spots.
It was great fun. Brazil scored early, but then Ecuador equalised. Brazil scored again in the second half but Ecuador equalised again. Then Brazil took it way with two more goals.
There were some groups of Brazilians and Ecuadorians but most of the crowd was Argentine. They really got behind the Ecuador team when they scored- Argentines love to see Brazil get beaten. It is a bit like the relationship between Australia and the US- having a successful older brother.
We made our way home through the traffic and got home around 1am (the game had started at 9.45pm). Quite a night.
This Saturday we have some tickets for the quarter final here in Cordoba. It was supposed to be the quarter final featuring Argentina- unfortunately they didn't win their group and so are playing elsewhere. We get to see Colombia against Peru. I'm hoping it will go to a penalty shoot- out at least!
It was great fun. Brazil scored early, but then Ecuador equalised. Brazil scored again in the second half but Ecuador equalised again. Then Brazil took it way with two more goals.
There were some groups of Brazilians and Ecuadorians but most of the crowd was Argentine. They really got behind the Ecuador team when they scored- Argentines love to see Brazil get beaten. It is a bit like the relationship between Australia and the US- having a successful older brother.
We made our way home through the traffic and got home around 1am (the game had started at 9.45pm). Quite a night.
This Saturday we have some tickets for the quarter final here in Cordoba. It was supposed to be the quarter final featuring Argentina- unfortunately they didn't win their group and so are playing elsewhere. We get to see Colombia against Peru. I'm hoping it will go to a penalty shoot- out at least!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tickets at last
Ticketek had a very organised website for buying tickets for the Copa America (football). It all seemed so easy- choose your day, pay by credit card and then pick up the tickets from the designated place.
But that is where it all came unstuck...
A friend went on Tuesday to pick up his tickets. He arrived at 8am and left, yes, you guessed it, a long time later, after 2pm. They only had 4 windows open to serve people- and it sounds like they just had all the tickets spread out on the table and had to sort through them for each person!
So I went on Wednesday with fear and trepidation, expecting a long day. But I was pleasantly surprised to be finished just on 4 hours.
I met two young English guys in the queue who had come especially for the football. They had been there the day before, but having arrived at 1pm, when they got close to the service window they shut for the day, at around 6.30pm. So they were back again and queued for another 4 hours. And this was just to pick up their tickets for the game in Cordoba. They will have to do the same in each of the other cities where they are seeing games- doesn't leave much time for sightseeing!
It was just a reminder that sometimes Argentina has the appearance of doing things like they would in other parts of the world, but that it often is just that- an appearance.
But that is where it all came unstuck...
A friend went on Tuesday to pick up his tickets. He arrived at 8am and left, yes, you guessed it, a long time later, after 2pm. They only had 4 windows open to serve people- and it sounds like they just had all the tickets spread out on the table and had to sort through them for each person!
So I went on Wednesday with fear and trepidation, expecting a long day. But I was pleasantly surprised to be finished just on 4 hours.
I met two young English guys in the queue who had come especially for the football. They had been there the day before, but having arrived at 1pm, when they got close to the service window they shut for the day, at around 6.30pm. So they were back again and queued for another 4 hours. And this was just to pick up their tickets for the game in Cordoba. They will have to do the same in each of the other cities where they are seeing games- doesn't leave much time for sightseeing!
It was just a reminder that sometimes Argentina has the appearance of doing things like they would in other parts of the world, but that it often is just that- an appearance.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Football fever hits again
We are about to be hit by another bout of football fever.
In just 10 days the Copa America kicks off- the South American Cup. And it is being held here in Argentina, even with 4 games here in Cordoba.
We didn't manage to get tickets to the Argentine games, but we are able to go and see the Brazilians play, first against Paraguay and then against Ecuador. It should be good fun!
On the theme of football, tonight there is a big game in town. One of the local Cordoba teams- Belgrano, plays against one of the famous Buenos Aires teams, River Plate. Belgrano is trying to go up into the Premier Division and River Plate, surprisingly, is trying to avoid going down. Its a big thing for Cordoba, because there hasn't been a Cordoba team in the Premier league for ages. A game to bring out the best of the inter-provincial rivalries.
I was reminded on the weekend just how important football is here. It was free time at the young adults camp and do you think we might just kick the ball around in a fun game? Oh no, we started one game when the numbers were even, but then had to stop and completely reorganise because 3 or 4 more guys arrived wanting to play. This was serious stuff. In the end we ended up with 3 teams and we played 10 minute games, with the loser being replaced by the other team. They even handed out some prizes that night- which Lachie was happy with as he scored a Coke for being on the winning team. A reminder though not to take free time on camps lightly...
Having said that about football, perhaps it is just Argentines and sport generally. The young people wouldn't start playing a game of volleyball until we had 6 a side- 5 a side just isn't the same!
In just 10 days the Copa America kicks off- the South American Cup. And it is being held here in Argentina, even with 4 games here in Cordoba.
We didn't manage to get tickets to the Argentine games, but we are able to go and see the Brazilians play, first against Paraguay and then against Ecuador. It should be good fun!
On the theme of football, tonight there is a big game in town. One of the local Cordoba teams- Belgrano, plays against one of the famous Buenos Aires teams, River Plate. Belgrano is trying to go up into the Premier Division and River Plate, surprisingly, is trying to avoid going down. Its a big thing for Cordoba, because there hasn't been a Cordoba team in the Premier league for ages. A game to bring out the best of the inter-provincial rivalries.
I was reminded on the weekend just how important football is here. It was free time at the young adults camp and do you think we might just kick the ball around in a fun game? Oh no, we started one game when the numbers were even, but then had to stop and completely reorganise because 3 or 4 more guys arrived wanting to play. This was serious stuff. In the end we ended up with 3 teams and we played 10 minute games, with the loser being replaced by the other team. They even handed out some prizes that night- which Lachie was happy with as he scored a Coke for being on the winning team. A reminder though not to take free time on camps lightly...
Having said that about football, perhaps it is just Argentines and sport generally. The young people wouldn't start playing a game of volleyball until we had 6 a side- 5 a side just isn't the same!
Monday, November 8, 2010
You know you´re in Argentina when ....
Your son has a football exam!
That's right. All the boys had 4 kicks- that is 4 different types of kick to perform (I don't even know there were 4 types).
Lachlan scored an A, A, B, A in the 4 kicks and so was given a score of 9 out of 10.
Way to go Lachlan! He tied with some of the best footballers in his class even though he isn't a great footballer. One of his friends spent the whole weekend practising and only managed a 6.
That's right. All the boys had 4 kicks- that is 4 different types of kick to perform (I don't even know there were 4 types).
Lachlan scored an A, A, B, A in the 4 kicks and so was given a score of 9 out of 10.
Way to go Lachlan! He tied with some of the best footballers in his class even though he isn't a great footballer. One of his friends spent the whole weekend practising and only managed a 6.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Now here is a sign of footy fever....
I recently saw Julie filling in all of the results of the World Cup in a poster that we have.
What? My wife? She who would normally be asking who is playing, or worse, what sport are they playing, is up on all the games, who is playing who and who got red carded.
She is even annoyed that Jacob's preschool has put on a special event during the game this afternoon. Who is playing? Uruguay and Ghana- but Julie needs to watch it!
We just watched the end of the game between Holland and Brasil, where we saw latin hot-headedness bring things untstuck (in my opinion). I think Argentina is in the same danger against Germany if they go a goal behind.
What? My wife? She who would normally be asking who is playing, or worse, what sport are they playing, is up on all the games, who is playing who and who got red carded.
She is even annoyed that Jacob's preschool has put on a special event during the game this afternoon. Who is playing? Uruguay and Ghana- but Julie needs to watch it!
We just watched the end of the game between Holland and Brasil, where we saw latin hot-headedness bring things untstuck (in my opinion). I think Argentina is in the same danger against Germany if they go a goal behind.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
National Anthems
Of course we have been watching lots of footy and getting right into the swing of things here. On Sunday I was in Buenos Aires and watched the Argentina/Mexico game on a big screen with friends at the Anglican church (and yes, the first goal was offside- even the Argentines admit that).
Have you noticed that the Argentine players don't sing the 'Himno Nacional'?
It's not because they aren't patriotic. There is a simple explanation. The national anthem has a very long introduction. And that's all they are playing at the World Cup before the games- they don't actually arrive to the part with words!
Perhaps if we make the final they will play the whole thing...
Have you noticed that the Argentine players don't sing the 'Himno Nacional'?
It's not because they aren't patriotic. There is a simple explanation. The national anthem has a very long introduction. And that's all they are playing at the World Cup before the games- they don't actually arrive to the part with words!
Perhaps if we make the final they will play the whole thing...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We are on the way...
Well, argentina is on the way. Not having a great deal of confidence in the future of Australia at the World Cup, we are on the way with Argentina. Another win today and now they play Mexico in the 'octavos de final' (so much better in Spanish- we don't have a word for this in English and have to call it the round of 16)
Perhaps Maradonna is on his way to another World Cup final- we hope so!
Sunday was Father's Day here in Argentina. I enjoyed the day with a win in my next game of the tennis tournament I am in, a great time at church, a relaxed lunch with the family and then a walk altogether with the family.
Yesterday was yet another public holiday, and we spent the day with the ABUA students, playing tennis and other sports and eating well!
Perhaps Maradonna is on his way to another World Cup final- we hope so!
Sunday was Father's Day here in Argentina. I enjoyed the day with a win in my next game of the tennis tournament I am in, a great time at church, a relaxed lunch with the family and then a walk altogether with the family.
Yesterday was yet another public holiday, and we spent the day with the ABUA students, playing tennis and other sports and eating well!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Vamos Argentina!
Well, Argentina is on the way. A 1-0 victory over Nigeria and the campaign has begun. We had a couple of students over to watch (and eat meat of course). All dressed in our Argentine colours- even the cat had his Argentine coat on!
Tomorrow we put on the green and gold against Germany- we have some friends from church coming over to help us celebrate (or comiserate).
We are hoping Argentina does well in this World Cup- we would love to see what the celebrations look like if they make the finals!
Tomorrow we put on the green and gold against Germany- we have some friends from church coming over to help us celebrate (or comiserate).
We are hoping Argentina does well in this World Cup- we would love to see what the celebrations look like if they make the finals!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Football Fever
Football fever is well and truly here. Lachlan has been told by his teachers that for any game in which Argentina is involved he doesn't have to be at school-he can arrive late or leave early. I guess they are just cutting their losses- better that they lose a few hours than a whole day. Then again I'm sure they don't want to be teaching during the games either.
His basketball game for Saturday-which is normally at around 11am- has been moved to the afternoon, because Argentina plays against Nigeria at 11am tomorrow.
We are having some students over tomorrow for the game and we are having a sausage sizzle (well, better than that really- chorizo done over the coals, not just a few burnt snags). But my fear is that the tele will prove to be too small!
His basketball game for Saturday-which is normally at around 11am- has been moved to the afternoon, because Argentina plays against Nigeria at 11am tomorrow.
We are having some students over tomorrow for the game and we are having a sausage sizzle (well, better than that really- chorizo done over the coals, not just a few burnt snags). But my fear is that the tele will prove to be too small!
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