T&T ticket triumph!
- 10 Jun 06, 08:28 PM
DORTMUND - While Fletch is a member of the accredited media out here in Germany, I'm having to watch the games in whichever way I can.
So the e-mail I received on Thursday informing me my ticket application for the Sweden v Trinidad game had been successful was a real bonus.
Despite some problems trying to print out the confirmation, I joined a relatively short queue at the ticket centre here in Dortmund and there I was in the Westfalenstadion today - although I was offered 2000 euros for it last night, 20 times the face value.
Forget the red carpet that runs from the city centre to the stadium, the paths around the stadium became a yellow river of confused supporters trying to make their way to a very poorly sign-posted entrance - it seemed for a while that the famous German efficiency was in danger of coming off the rails.
But it soon got back on track as after a quick bag search and a swipe of the chip embedded in the match ticket across a sensor I was in and enjoying a sausage - my second since arriving in Germany, taking an early 2-1 lead over Fletch who opted for the Frikadelle at lunch in the Great Blog Sausage-Eating competition.
What I wasn't prepared for was the intensity of the heat at my seat as the sun refused to dip below the line of the stand opposite, without any sunscreen my forehead is rapidly turning the same shade as the Soca Warriors shirts, in which the official shops at the stadium have done a roaring trade..
The Swedes were packed to the rafters and generated a crackling atmosphere before kick-off, but the Trinidad and Tobago fans soon found their voices, with help from most of the neutrals in the stadium.
It was, in the book of footballing cliches, an entertaining 0-0 with Sweden pouring forward and only kept from victory by superb performances by, in particular, "Wor" Shaka Hislop and the dreadlocked centre-back - what a great name for a footballer!
I'm back in the Westfallenhalle now, with Soca rhythms blaring out as they were last night, waiting for Fletch to finish up in the media centre and trying to resist the urge for another sausage.
Have a look at some of the from Dortmund.
We'll also be moving on from Dortmund in the morning with the Togo v South Korea match in Frankfurt on Tuesday our next scheduled stop. So if you there is anything you think we should take in en route, let us know.
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What a fantastic game, really really enjoyable! I am so happy and pleased for the Trinidad & Tobagans! They deserved the point!
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We are also extremely excited, thanks for the congratulations and support, but we're called Trinidadians and Tobagonians, or Trinbagonians :)!
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im so pleased that trinidad and tobago managed a draw, it was a great game and now england have a great chance of getting through to the knockout round!!! :D
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I hope when Gary and crew start their commentary on Thursday's clash (England vs T&T) they will not be caught out like their ITV counterparts.
It was very clear that the ITV 'pundits' had little facts about T&T and I thought they were all very patronising when their commentary started. How many goals Sweden will put past T&T to try and qualify ahead of England? Not quoted word for word but that was their thinking. I did find their back tracking amusing though. :P
I suggest you so called pundits do your job and get to grips with the CONCACAF region. There is no 'mystery' surrounding how you qualify from that region. Its no different from any other region's qualification process.
Here are a few facts:
1. Jack Warner (of T&T) is the present of CONCACAF and Vice Present of FIFA.
2. The CONCACAF Centre of Excellence is based in T&T on the island of Trinidad.
3. This is the first time since 1938 that a Caribbean time earned points from an opening World Cup game.
I'll leave you to find out who were the first. Run a competition on it. I promise I will not enter.
T&T qualified for the plays-offs by beating Mexico 1-0 (USA topped the group). They then beat Bahrain (away game) to qualify for WC2006 (mystery solved).
One final thing SOCA is pronounced SOW - CAH and not that weird pronunciation I've been forced to listen to.
Here is a link to the CONCACAF website, with some interesting facts .
Get researching guys and show some respect for the Soca Warriers.
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Did you collect your tickets on match day? did you need your passport? and do you need passport for entry to the stadium?
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What are the lyrics to the t+t chants? was there any particular rhyme or words involved or was it a case of crazy singing from the nuetrals?
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Very good performance from the Tobagans! Dwight Yorke did an excellent job in defence, and even though they went down to ten men, the coach threw on another striker and really went for it. In fairness, the Swede's were poor, but a good show by Trinidad & Tobago!
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Bravo to Glen Greaves and his comments. He said it all for me.
Go T&T!
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Trinidad and Tobago did very well, better than i thought they would (which is sad to admit). Congrats to them and their fans for playing so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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TRINIDADIANS and TOBAGONIANS...
anyway, T&T chants are:
I am a Soca Warrior, win or lose I am a fighter, I am a Soca Warrior, I come to shine my nationality brighter. Ooh...
(taken from Maximus Dan "Fighter")
Then we chant "T&T, we want a goal" which was the chant from the 1989 campaign.
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Just to avoid any confusion the SOW that Glen Greaves refers to is as in sowing a seed and not a female pig so could equally be sounded as SEW as in with a needle pulling thread.
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