World Cup with Raphael

by Raphael Perahia

A wave is currently taking place throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Football fever has taken its grip. So, why road-trip across the United States for the duration of the World Cup?

 I would like to say that I planned it this way, that staying in England with its pubs and jubilant, football-loving (I call it football, not soccer) culture is not my proverbial cup of tea. This is not the case.

 Maybe I could argue that South Africa is simply too dangerous and that is why I will retreat to the safety of a country that does not take football too seriously. In fact it does not take it seriously enough to even call it football. This is also not the case.

My real answer? Bad timing. Having spent four years at university in Atlanta, I wanted to have my final hoorahs before I go home to London. Unwittingly, these hurrahs across the USA will have to be balanced with the furor of the 2010 World Cup.

 My itinerary has been planned and certain full day drives have been accounted for on days where no games are being played. There are several unanswered questions: Where the hell can I watch a match in Maine? Will there be anyone in Nashville, Tennessee, who will get as drunk as I will no doubt be during the World Cup Final? And finally, how realistic is it that I will get up at seven thirty in the morning to watch Holland against Denmark? We’ll soon find out.

 Americans have taken more widely to “soccer” recently, and with all the matches being televised, and the glory of the Internet, being in America will not be the end of the world. I hope to meet many Americans who are as ensconced with The Beautiful Game as I am, and get very very drunk with them. Bloody Mary’s’ all round at seven thirty a.m., ten a.m. and then switch to beers for twelve thirty p.m. kick-offs.

 The next installment will include my players and managers to watch, predictions for early exits, which teams I believe will go far, and my prediction as to whether the Irish commentator on ESPN, Tommy Smith, will indeed turn into a turtle.