World Cup - Anyone going?

Posted by: nicnaim on 20 May 2006

Travelling with the same group of mates that went to Portugal for Euro 2004. Our itinerary is as follows:

Wednesday 21st June - Portugal v Mexico in Gelsenkirchen

Thursday 22nd June - Italy v Czech Republic at 4pm in Hamburg

Friday 23rd June - Spain v Saudi Arabia at 4pm in Kaiserslauten.

Much more fun going to neutral games than watching England. Last World Cup trip I did was America in '94, when England did not qualify.

Nic

Posted on: 20 May 2006 by Chillkram

Fantastic!

I'm very jealous Nic, especially of you watching the Italy v Czech Republic game.

I must admit though, if I was going I'd prefer to watch the England games.

Instead I'll be watching them from behind the sofa!

Are you staying on if England qualify or do you not have any plans to watch them play?

Mark

Posted on: 21 May 2006 by Legolas

Any chance of a flag with nicnaim on it for us to watch out for?
Paul.

Posted on: 21 May 2006 by nicnaim

Mark/Paul,

Unfortunately this is a short trip and we only have tickets for these matches. We should arrive in Dusseldorf in time to catch the England v Sweden game on the telly on Tuesday night, which should be a giggle.

I'll probably wear the usual Toon top as these are neutral games. Two of the others going are also Newcastle season ticket holders, so look out for the bar codes. I'll try and get a decent snap of us to post. Here is one from the Pontiac Silverdome in Detoit from the '94 World Cup.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

Wonder if I will bump into Fritz. Goes on a bit, but seems like a nice boy.

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Manni

Hi Nic,

as I live not far away from Düsseldorf, I would be glad to show you the Düsseldorfer Altstadt on tuesday evening. There are many pubs with TV and the beer is for free, because I will pay for it!

Best wishes

Manfred

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Chillkram

quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
Mark/Paul,

Unfortunately this is a short trip and we only have tickets for these matches. We should arrive in Dusseldorf in time to catch the England v Sweden game on the telly on Tuesday night, which should be a giggle.

I'll probably wear the usual Toon top as these are neutral games. Two of the others going are also Newcastle season ticket holders, so look out for the bar codes. I'll try and get a decent snap of us to post. Here is one from the Pontiac Silverdome in Detoit from the '94 World Cup.

Regards

Nic

Where's Big Steve?

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

quote:
Originally posted by Manni:
Hi Nic,

as I live not far away from Düsseldorf, I would be glad to show you the Düsseldorfer Altstadt on tuesday evening. There are many pubs with TV and the beer is for free, because I will pay for it!

Best wishes

Manfred

Manfred,

That is a very kind offer, at the moment all I know is that we arrive at around 8pm on Tuesday and the England game kicks off at 9pm. Although we are staying somewhere near the centre of Dusseldorf, I do not know where yet as one of my companions has organised the trip. We will be based there for three nights, travelling to the various games by train, and flying home on Friday after the last one. If we get a chance to meet up that would be cool, I should know more details later.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:

Where's Big Steve?

Mark,

Big Steve was not on the USA trip, but will be going to Germany. Here is another picture of him in a bar in Portugal (during the Euro 2004 trip) that illustrates how tall he is!

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Chillkram

Nic

If anything happens to Peter Crouch Sven might be on the phone.

Mark

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
Nic

If anything happens to Peter Crouch Sven might be on the phone.

Mark

Mark,

LOL, excellent. Same size, but he is a cricketer rather than a footballer.

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Chillkram

Not being a footballer has not stopped Sven picking Crouch!

Mark

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Justyn

quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:

Where's Big Steve?

Mark,

Big Steve was not on the USA trip, but will be going to Germany. Here is another picture of him in a bar in Portugal (during the Euro 2004 trip) that illustrates how tall he is!

Regards

Nic

Nic,

He must sure like a drink, either it's spilt down his front or he's pissed himself.

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

Mark,

A bit harsh! I think he is quite good as a provider rather than as an out and out striker. He is also better on the deck than he is given credit for given his size. It will be interesting to see how he is used, and could link up usefully with Owen if he is fit.

Nic

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by Chillkram

Nic

Fair enough. It was a cheap shot!

Although I do think his value is probably only as a 'weapon' to come on 15 mins from the end when we are struggling to unlock the opposition defence.

As a provider I would prefer Dean Ashton.

Mark

Posted on: 22 May 2006 by nicnaim

quote:
Originally posted by Justyn:
Nic,

He must sure like a drink, either it's spilt down his front or he's pissed himself.

Justyn,

Just a trick of the light, I think you will find.

He does like a drink, and it is usually a big mistake to try and keep up with him!

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 24 May 2006 by Manni

quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
quote:
Originally posted by Manni:
Hi Nic,

as I live not far away from Düsseldorf, I would be glad to show you the Düsseldorfer Altstadt on tuesday evening. There are many pubs with TV and the beer is for free, because I will pay for it!

Best wishes

Manfred

Manfred,

That is a very kind offer, at the moment all I know is that we arrive at around 8pm on Tuesday and the England game kicks off at 9pm. Although we are staying somewhere near the centre of Dusseldorf, I do not know where yet as one of my companions has organised the trip. We will be based there for three nights, travelling to the various games by train, and flying home on Friday after the last one. If we get a chance to meet up that would be cool, I should know more details later.

Regards

Nic

Hi Nic,

when you know the details, please contact me. My Email Address is djangobert(at)aol.com.

Regards

Manfred

Posted on: 24 May 2006 by nicnaim

Manfred,

Will do.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 26 May 2006 by nicnaim

Manfred,

I've sent you an email about our travel arrangements and suggested days to meet up.

When sending, it said "not a valid email address" but it has gone without bouncing back. If you do not receive let me know via the forum or on nic.myers@btinternet.com.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 20 June 2006 by nicnaim

Flying out this afternoon. Excited? You bet.

Drinks arranged with Manfred on Wednesday. Pictures to follow in due course. Now its party time.

Regards

Nic

Posted on: 20 June 2006 by Chillkram

Give us a wave when you're out there!

Mark

Posted on: 20 June 2006 by Diccus62

Jeez we give too many corners away. Through to next round tho and have avoided Germany

Motty

Posted on: 20 June 2006 by Chillkram

And looked very poor defending them.

So to summarise, we've got one fit (adult) striker, we can't defend corners, Lampard and Gerrard can't play together (unless we play 5 in midfield or drop Beckham or Cole (our best player))........we're definitely going to win the world cup!

Mark

Posted on: 20 June 2006 by Guido Fawkes

quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
And looked very poor defending them.

So to summarise, we've got one fit (adult) striker, we can't defend corners, Lampard and Gerrard can't play together (unless we play 5 in midfield or drop Beckham or Cole (our best player))........we're definitely going to win the world cup!

Mark

You forgot the dodgy goalkeeper who seemed scared of crosses and why wasn't Peter Crouch rather than Ashley Cole on the post.

Still Joe Cole was a bright spot ans surely even Sven must see Hargreaves is not up to it (how many fouls).

Still I agree with you - we'll win it (but Argentina looked impressive)

Posted on: 24 June 2006 by nicnaim

Manfred,

Thank for for buying the beers, and for you and your fellow countrymen for being so hospitable during our stay in Germany. We had a great time, despite the lack of sleep and hangovers.

The boys and I enjoyed meeting you and hope that your trip to Namibia went well.

A couple of pictures to remember the trip by:

Nic, Manfred and Big Steve in the old town.

At Portugal v Mexico game

Some of the amazing Mexican fans. Shame they went out after a great game with Argentina tonight.

All the best

Nic

Posted on: 24 June 2006 by Chillkram

Blimey Nic, one of 'em's even taller than Big Steve.

Mark