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Yesterday I was on The Current talking about the World Cup and stated that I was cheering for anyone but England. But I misspoke: it's anyone but the diving wanker Italians.

Day 10
One of the outdoor viewing areas in Cologne was next to the Dom. We watched Togo play Switzerland there. Despite the heroic efforts of Emmanuel Adebayor, the West Africans couldn't figure out how to put the ball in the net.

Construction of the Dom began in 1220. It wasn't completed until 1880. For four years it was the tallest building in the world, but was then eclipsed by the Washington monument. I hope they're right about that whole Jesus thing.

Andy, Neal and I walked up to the top of the Dom. We did not write our names on the wall. Jesus surely wouldn't approve.

There were so many insane drunken Brits in town for the England-Sweden game that they set up an English-language feed on the opposite bank of the Rhine. We stopped by to watch Saudi Arabia-Ukraine. The game was so mercilessly dull that Andy and Neal fell asleep on the blacktop.

Day 11
The Ludwig Museum in Cologne is fabulous. It has a redoubtable collection of Picassos. The works span his entire artistic life, from stylistic explorations in the 1920's to massive, flamboyant, lascivious works created when he was in his 80's. But my favorite painting in the Ludwig, by an artist whose name escapes me, was called "The Divers." It was commissioned in honor of the Italian national team.

Speaking of artistic masterworks, this automobile had been converted into a rolling St. George's cross. The genius of the Brits is truly limitless.

If you can't beat them join them.

Day 12
The public viewing area in Nuremberg was sweet. A slew of picnic tables and a whole bunch of big-screen TVs set up in the middle of the old city. Surrounded by food and beverage stands. For some reason there were a lot of Mexicans in town.

You probably can't tell from this photogrph, but these Mexican fans were dancing to a gloriously bad German cover band playing "Sweet Home Alabama."

Andy and Neal were hawking the last of the Bruce shirts.

When inexplicably, midway through Argentina-Netherlands, our hero made an appearance. Upon being swarmed by fans he quickly took off.

Day 13
Caution: jackasses.

The stadium in Nuremberg was adjacent to the old parade grounds, where Hitler held his massive Nazi rallies.

I could be pissed about the absurd PK called against Oguchi. But in retrospect I think Ghana was just the better team.

At this point the battery in my camera died. The last day of the trip went undocumented. But this pretty much sums up the whole journey.

Posted by Paul Demko at June 28, 2006 5:35 PM

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