U.S.-Czech Republic: Czech-Mate
I am doing a quick solo blog here, because Mark fell asleep and I thought I'd wrap up for today. Besides, we decided to start splitting our duties- I would focus on soccer, Mark on the travel part. We arrived in Prague this afternoon in time to watch the U.S.-Czech Republic game. The only positive that I can say is that we watched it in the middle of Old Town Square in Prague- one of the most beautiful squares in the world. I'd post a picture, but I was so disgusted with the game that I never took one. We'll post some tomorrow.
Mark and I were ready, dressed in our U.S. soccer shirts with scarves/flags/etc. There were probably around 30 U.S. fans in the town square, and others who seemed to be American's cheering for the Czech Republic. There were a number of Brazilians, Mexicans and Australians in the crowd, but I think they were cheering for the Czech Republic too. Although probably a couple of hundred screaming fans showed up in the square, the atmosphere was nothing like Germany. We didn't see anyone wearing a national team jersey until later in the afternoon today. In Germany, I think people wear the German national team garb as pajamas.
I was always cautiously optimistic that the U.S. could get out of Group E, but my hopes relied on the U.S. pulling out a tie with the Czech Republic. A 3-0 loss, combined with Italy's 2-0 victory over Ghana will make it very tough to advance. I haven't seen the game statistics, but the U.S. had to have control over 60% of the time, yet I only remember my heart skipping a beat on 2 or 3 shots on goal. You have to hand it to the Czechs, they made their shots count and the goals were convincing. It would have been so much more exciting had the U.S. scored some goals and we could have received a solid "booing" from the Czechs. It's not quite as fun, when your team isn't doing well and you can't nicely taunt the home team.
I am going to start cheering for Trinidad and Tobago. I was so excited to see them make the World Cup...and then to tie Sweden! (I hope I didn't give my Swedish friend the link to this blog).
More tomorrow when I have a night to regroup.
posted by mark and lisa @ 3:42 PM
4 Comments:
It was a sad business, wasn't it? US soccer fans everywhere are grieving. Probably made worse by the lack of attention stateside. Still optimistic and always remember that it still is the most beautiful game.
as
I was hoping that the US would win, for all the obvious resons, but also because I wanted to post a comment with the headline, "Can the Czechs bounce back?"
Aha! After reading this post, I see what the US team needs - lederhosen, maybe, but definitely: MORE COW BELL!!!
BTW, I wasn't sure from reading your post - did you make it from the Olympic stadium to the football stadium in time for the match?
Jay, I knew someone would come up with a czech joke! Yes, we made the trip in time to see the kick-off. It is a good thing LISA is always early. Did I tell you how early we were for our flight to Munich from Dulles?! That would be four hours early. It seemed longer to me, though.
Uncle Al, you need to give those good thoughts on the beautiful game to Lisa: she was bummed for nearly half the day.
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