Midnight Portraits

In my pursuit to change the world and make it a better, more World Cup orientated place, last night I conjured up all the World Cup fever I could manage and ventured out amongst the colourful characters at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras!

The atmosphere was alive and buzzing, it’s such a good feeling when a bunch of humans are just happy and having a good time.

A little raunchy, yes – However, also highly hilarious… I had a lot of fun!

Thanks to Jill and Mitch for helping me on my rampage :) 

GMB XO

Matildas and Socceroos Train Together!

How cool is this! I'm happy that who ever thought of doing this made it happen.

Jabulani

Today kiddies we’re going to learn about the new World Cup ball!

Meet Jabulani, the official World Cup South Africa 2010 match ball. It’s round and looks like a football, it has 11 colours that represent all sorts of things and is made in the world’s manufacturing capital, China.

It’s said that the ball has received considerable academic input with the choice to make the ball out of 8 panels (last WC ball had 14) that are three-dimensional and thermally bonded. The surface of the ball is textured with grooves, a technology developed by Adidas that supposedly improves the ball’s aerodynamics. Jabulani means ‘to celebrate’ in Zulu and the ball represents South Africa’s diversity and harmony. Awwww.

I also included a picture of the first World Cup ball Telstar from Mexico 1970. This original and well known football design was painted in black and white so that it would be more visible on black and white television. It has 32 panels - 4 times the amount that the Jabulani has!

Personally, I'm a sucker for anything old-school/vintage and have always loved the traditional black and white football...

Which do you like more? OR Which World Cup ball is your favorite? 

Today! dry hair:Blog:go to meeting:take bike to fix it place: Visit sonya, ziggy and 

doggies:do uni work:send parking fine appeal:book dentist:eat ice cream

World Cup Outfit Trial ONE

Here is my first World Cup outfit option… Now, I don’t mean to get all Cher from Clueless on you but our World Cup appearance matters my friends… 

I plan to make a series of outfit ideas for the fashion conscious in South Africa. Take note!

If there's one thing that excites me more than going to South Africa it would be Australia’s World Cup bid for 2018-2022… So, what better way to promote our selves than to walk around with ‘Come Play’ post cards stuck from head to toe?

So here I am all decked out!

What I’m wearing

Post Cards: Come Play http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/ (JOIN IN!)

Wrist Band: Green and Gold Army, Johnny Warren’s ‘I told you so’

Scarf: Football Federation Australia Check

Shoes: Nine West

Tights: Voodoo

Dress: Maurie and Eve

Photographed ever so kindly by Tomasz Machnik!

P.S. Don't be shy, say hello! I'd love to hear what you think :)

Oceania love

I know that this is yesterdays news… But I’m no 24/7 business so I’m only getting on to it now! Plus who does a press release on the weekend anyway? On Saturday it was announced that Australia's last game before we depart for World Cup will be against New Zealand in Melbourne on May 24th.  

Hopefully the MCG will have a packed out crowd of 90,000 which is an amazing thing to experience, especially when everyone's decked out in the green and gold for the Socceroos!  

Initially I was a little disappointed that we weren't going to ship over a Euro nation or some South Americans... But when I pondered a little longer I decided that a Kiwi Aussie bash wouldn't be too bad! 

A) After all they did actually make the World Cup + if Wellington Pheonix is anything to go by at the moment maybe they won't be in bad form!

B) I must confess that I am actually kind of half Kiwi... My Mama was born there! So I do have an inkling of love for them. 

C) New Zealands odds are currently at $1001.00/1 SO WE BETTER WIN! Which means it will be quite a feel good game for us.

D)  Flight of the Conchords are from NZ and I love them!! 

THE END!

Game Parks South Africa

A little disappointed to find out that these ‘game parks’ my South African friends have been telling me that I MUST get to turned out to be something different to what I thought… I was envisioning a ‘Gold Coastesque’ kinda situation. I probably shouldn’t be admitting in a public space that I thought this, but annywhoo, if it’s not rollercoasters and fairy floss I’m DEFINITELY up for a rumble with the lion’s!!! I LOVE ANIMALS!

This Youtube clip is amazing… I know y’all are busy but it’s well worth the 8 minutes and 24 seconds! Thanks to my Papa for finding it.

Aussie Fans Hooligans?

Me being a civilised Australian fan in Stuttgart, Germany - Aus vs Cro 2006. 

Well apparently the conservative Durbanites are a little worried their fellow Aussie counter-parts are going to be low-budget mischief makers while in Durban for the World Cup!


A local North District Durban councillor has described Australian football supporters as 'low-income, heavy-drinking football hooligans'. 


I find this amusing... We can hardly be known for being aggressive and reckless. Yes, maybe a little drunk and merry but it seems like this guys negative attitude to welcoming World Cuppers needs a little cheer up anyway. 


Don't worry dear Durbanites I am very friendly and won't harm your habitat. However, unfortunately for you I am rather loud...


Click here for the full article from Tribal Football. 

Better with age

Photos our days just don't look as glamourous! Maybe it's the black and white? Running about like a mad cat today so as a quick fix here's some nice football images to stimulate your mind on this lovely Friday arvo.

GMB XO

Socceroos vs Indonesia Squad Picked.

An A-league thick 25 man squad picked for the Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane on the 3rd of March. Good to see some youngsters in the mix! 


Clint Bolton (Sydney FC), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC), Shannon Cole (Sydney FC), Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Jason Culina (Gold Coast United), Luke Devere (Brisbane Roar), Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Gramous), Mathew Leckie (Adelaide United), Michael Marrone (Adelaide United), Daniel McBreen (Perth Glory), Jon Mckain (Wellington Phoenix), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Jade North (Incheon United), Tommy Oar (Brisbane Roar), Matt Thompson (Newcastle Jets), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), David Williams (North Queensland Fury), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Michael Zullo (Brisbane Roar).

Flashback Phase 1: Football Initiation

THEN: 3 yrs Glasgow Rangers..

NOW: Getting all Australian on myself! 

Ok, so yep, a little self indulgent this whole blog thing can be. But I tell you it’s a whole lota fun! And if you ain’t gonna do it then I’m gettin into it for you.

Shall we take a few steps back though? Just for your sake… I don’t want to speculate but I’m gonna make a little guess that a few of you web drunks who have gone off astray from what ever you were meant to be doing and have come across Girl Meets Ball some how in cyber space will be thinking jjeeaasuss, who’s this chick and what’s she think she’s up to? WELL, I think I had best get us off to a good start and rid your mind of any of these ‘impurities’.

I’m no bandwagoning, Wallabies jersey wearing, wannabe W.A.G. - ITS ALL GENUINE HERE BABY!

It started from the comfy view of my Papa’s knee in 1993 where my family watched Australia vs Argentina in Sydney. Yep, I’m like one of those Victorian kids who was force fed Essendon until they were blindly obsessed, wearing the strip to school and all that jazz… EXCEPT for me it was the Socceroos.

TBC...

Quality! Wenger, Henry, Mourinho & Benitez impressions

Very funny and well done! My favorite is his version of Henry.

Meow

Even my cat's into it!

25,000 people + some decent attacking football + a little rain = A very romantic Valentines Day.

I'm not usually one to fuss much over Valentines Day but I have to say that yesterday was a rather romantic football day for me! 

I live in Sydney now however I didn't grow up here so I cannot say that my attachment to Sydney FC goes root deep... For me, yesterday was more of a win for Australian Football in general. Such a buzz to see a good crowd for our local league. Even if we did have to run home in the rain I had a great time!

SYDNEY FC 2  MELBOURNE VICTORY 0

Sydney win the minor premiership. 

Durban Fifa Fan Fest

The Golden Mile

That's the arch of Moses Mabhida Stadium in the background

The next best place for Aussie fans while in Durban other than Moses Mabhida Stadium will be Durban's Fifa Fan Fest. If it's anything like Germany 2006 this place is going to be a mixture of many nations embracing the football, partying, chilling out and avoiding the portable toilets. 

The Fan Fest which will cram in at it's best around 25,000 people is going to be located at Durban's 'New Beach' which is at the end of West Street and is a part of Durban's famous stretch of surf the 'Golden Mile'. It's a walkable distance of 3.5km from Moses Mabhida Stadium and 20km from the new Durban International Airport. 

With live screenings of the 64 World Cup matches upon a backdrop of the waves of the Indian Ocean and sweet sweet security (we hope), what more could you need? 

There will also be two other public viewing facilities in the neighbourhoods of  KwaMashu (15,000 capacity) and Umhlazi (10,000). All venues free. Yipppeeeeee! 

Aussie Invasion II

Today, amongst all my junk mail I received a very detailed and lovely email from the author of Facts About Durban, Allan Jackson! It made me very excited that an actual person had sent me an email longer than two sentences…

I titled the email ‘Incoming Australians!’ and he promptly informed me that in fact, this would not be the first time that Durban has had an Aussie invasion. He said that there were millions of troops through Durban during WWII including lots of Australians on their way to fight in North Africa and Europe.

An interesting little fact I thought I might share!!

Thanks to Allan for all his bother – his Durban Diaries have more information then I could ever post so check it out!

Durban Fast Facts

To Put It Simply...







FAST FACTS - DURBAN101

• Third largest city in South Africa
  
  
• Population 3.5 million
• Apparently Durban will be 'the warmest place during the World Cup'
• Average sea temperature of 19 degrees
• Average min and max during June will be 11-23 degrees
• Has the busiest container port in South Africa
• Durban is in the KwaZulu Natal province
• Football Clubs: Amazulu, Golden Arrows, Thanda Royal Zulu, Maritzburg United (Premier) Durban Stars, Nathi Lions (1^st Division)
• Key economic sectors: Tourism, transport, agriculture, manufacturing 

Fourth Ticket Phase Starts TODAY!


"The fourth ticket sales phase will kick off on Tuesday, 9 February 2010 at 12.00 (Central European Time). This phase, one of the last chances for fans to make sure that they do not miss out on attending the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil, will run for 58 days until 7 April 2010. Tickets will be allocated on a “first come, first served, subject to availability” basis. Applications can be made via http://www.fifa.com/2010 or (for South African residents only) at FNB branches."


For the full Fifa article click here. 

I'm Feelin It

Sony's new 'Feel What They Feel' campaign. I love it! When advertising actually makes you feel something it is a job well done and deserves to be on my blog. My fan training program for World Cup is going rather well - this morning I went for a run just like Lucas Neill and recited the Australian anthem 5 times. I forgot the ice bath... Maybe next time. 


Durban update coming up later today!


GMB X

DURBAN WEEK!

This week I am going to Google the holy guacamole out of DURBAN! I'm going to try and find every little nook and cranny and bring it all right here to Girl Meets Ball.

To start off I've found some great pictures of the Moses Mabhida Stadium which will be Australia's booting ground on June 13 2010 kick off 8:30PM. It's lookin pretty damn sexy if you ask me. Close to the beach which is essential for any Aussie fan, plus there seems to be a massive rail network right next door. Convenience! 

Tomato sources:

Some hard facts: http://www.archdaily.com

Good starting point: http://fifaworldcup.durban.gov.za

NEWSTRIP








Think I preferred the spew shirt... It had a little more character. Lets see if this one makes the cut.

FAN TRAINING DAY ONE

OUT COME THE GREEN AND GOLD! THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THEN GETTING IT ON.

THANKS TO THE EVER SO LOVELY JAMES MILLS FOR HIS HAPPY SNAPS OF ME! WHAT FUN!

ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYEIGHTDAYSTHREEHOURSFIFTYSIXMINUTESANDFIFTYSEVENSECONDSFROMNOW.

Right then! The boys must have been in training since about the 27th of July 2006. This was the day after Australia was ever so ruuudeellyy spat out of a tournament that my teenage heart was so set on winning...

That's 1278 days of mental, physical, time consuming and wholehearted energy that they've put in to getting us to the 2010 World Cup. They've also given me a reason to go gaLIvanting, frolIcking, ranting and raving around on a brand new adventure. So, I think it's only fair that over the next 128 days and blah blah hours etc I put in the equivalent research, awesome dress-up ideas, chant training, sweat, effort and all the rest of it into being the Socceroo's BEST FAN!!!!!!

=

FAN TRAINING IN PROGRESS YO! YOU BETTER JOIN IN!