International

The World Cup is finally here. What does the tournament mean to you? How are you feeling? Are you doing anything special to mark the occasion? Where will you be watching the action? Are you a big fan of opening ceremonies or do they just delay the action?

Send us your thoughts...

I keep sending you guys 606 some ideas so why aren't you putting them in?

opening ceremonies - I think for tv purposes are a waste of time, but if you are there in person id say its a different matter, as they generate the carnival atmosphere amongst the travelling fans necessary to kick start the event.

I feel quietly confident about englands chances.
Very confident that we are in for high standard world cup.
Convinced there will be some big name casualties along the way, and that new faces will make their mark.
In short pretty excited....

I exist in four year cycles just for these four weeks to come along & get totally obsessed with the carnival of football. I'll be watching every game & even though I would love England to win, the most important thing is that we get an exciting, attacking World Cup with loads of memorable matches, goals & players. Come on WC2006!!!

I was never really a football fan as a kid. I remember being out on the town for England's 5-1 win over Germany and ever since I've become totally hooked on the beautiful game!

On Saturday I'll be heading into town again hoping for a similar experience against Paraguay - a storming win and coming back from the pub completely soaked in beer! Straight after the game I'll be heading back to my place with some friends for some keepy uppies and (hopefully) a victory barbecue in the garden!

This tournament unites the world through football, reaching out to every corner of the globe, it is special for that reason.

The german slogan (Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden) could be translated to sth like "May the world be our guest - the guest of friends" (it's really difficult to translate!). It's not just the "usual" football fans (who REALLY put me off) ... it's almost everyone in Germany.
Usually "I don't give a shit" on football. But now it seems to be different: I'm living in one of the tournament cities (Hamburg) and recently I went to Dortmund (another one of them). It's infectious ... it's mass hysteria ... but I don't feel like resisting ... I will buy a flag (no, not an english one ) and hang it out of the window today.
I wouldn't even mind Germany not surviving the first round - it's the event itself: I'm looking forward to it. But I'll also avoid the public viewing points when they're screening a match (I still don't like the football fans, especially when they're drunk).

What does it mean?- Football as a game is the game i love.. it is part of me. For me the World Cup is the pinnacle tournament/celebration of that game.. to me it means 64 games of top entertainment.

Feeling, excited, nervous, expectant, hopeful.. i have been up at 4.30am for the last 2 nights running.. i just need it to start. I've been waiting for 9th June 2006 for so long.. now it's here i cant believe it.

Watching most of the action at mates houses, in the pub or with my grandad. Intend to use the weeks i booked off work (last October) to go visit old friends that i have not seen for years.. (well 4 years in some cases )

4pm today.. i'm out of here.. run (litterally) to the pub.. meet mates.. get a pint.. tonight is perfect- no major vested interest in the results.. but will place a bet or two and we can discuss how we are going to put the Vorld Cup world to rights.

Enjoy <shivers down my spine>.. i believe this Vorld Cup will be the best ever.

The world cup is finally here!!!!!!!!! im as excited as a donkey on viagra! wooooooooo

and pmsl!!! at message 17