We can hear the Samba Drums already...
Boom. Boom. Boom.... Bra-Zil!...
Boom. Boom. Boom.... Bra-Zil!...
We remember the 1999 Pan-Am games and the festive atmosphere that the Trinidadian fans showed to their football team when they played Mexico. To follow the Soca Warriors, their fans and what will assuredly be their carnival around Germany will be an experience of a lifetime.
When planning this trip, just getting tickets to one game at the world cup was mission accomplished. To get 3 tickets, including one to England, was better than we could have hoped for.
Then today, out of the blue, things got impossibly better, FIFA's lottery system came through and got us tickets to the Brazil v. Australia in Munich on June 18.
This is a dream come true. Most of the boys remember watching the World Cup in Spain for the first time in 1982 (we were yoot's back den) and being mesmerized by the skill, flair and love for the game that was displayed by that legendary Brazilian team that included Zico and Socrates. Watching Brazil play, "The Beautiful Game" isn't just a marketing slogan. It is just that.
To see and experience this generation's version of that unique Brazilian spirit; being in the same building as Ronaldo, Ronaldihno, and the rest of the team; experience the atmosphere of the crowd and the rhythms of their drums, that is an opportunity of a lifetime. Obviously going to the world cup is a thrill, but getting to see Brazil play live-and-in-person... its one of those items that are on the "things to do before I go see the Big Man upstairs" list...
Ok enough of Knoxy's melodrama... what he's trying to say is...
Not only do we get to "wine" with the Trini's,
we get to fight with the English,
party with the Australians...
AND WE GET TO DANCE WITH THE BRAZILIANS!!!
In the immortal words of Ice Cube... Today... (for some of us at least)
"It was a Good Day."
Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker tired of England hype
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5024830.stm
Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker has taunted World Cup Group B opponents England by insisting they always flop at major championships.
Beenhakker said: "All I see with my eyes wide open is a team that doesn't perform when it comes to the World Cup and the European Championships.
"England have fantastic players, one of the strongest leagues in the world and a population of 50 million.
"These guys should be prepared for everything but they never win."
Beenhakker told the Sunday Mirror: "England are one of the favourites for the World Cup because of the talents they have but they have to show it."
The Dutchman also insists he won't worry about facing Sven-Goran Eriksson's men until his side have first taken on Sweden in their opening match in Germany.
Trinidad face the Swedes in Dortmund on 10 June before facing England in Nuremberg five days later.
Beenhakker said: "I can't think of England now although it is all I hear - England, England, all the time.
"We must stay focused on Sweden. England comes later, and I know we will be better by then."
Beenhakker admitted, however, that his side still has "a lot of work to do" before they get to the World Cup finals.
He saw his team lose to Wales 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up game in Graz, Austria and said: "There is a big difference between preparation games and competitive ones.
"We are at a certain stage of our planning and are two weeks away from our objective."
Wir haben die Karten!!!!
With 2 weeks to go we got our tickets for the 3 Trinidad games.
Evidentially the boys are a little excited about this, here's K-man and Warren with theirs...
Many thanks to Kev who co-ordinated the ticket purchase and had to put up with the almost daily question of "Any word on the tickets?" from one of us (ok, well... mostly Knoxy).
the Girls of "The Price is Right"
Vanna White and "Deal or No Deal" do not need to worry about Rolfie usurping their modeling career.
Rolfie with the Tix
Trinidad and Tobago Finalizes Roster
Trinidad and Tobago Finalizes Roster
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 12, 2006
Filed at 10:21 p.m. ET
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- Trinidad and Tobago finalized its 23-player World Cup roster, cutting midfielder Anthony Rougier on Friday.
Coach Leo Beenhakker invited Rougier back to the national team in January but decided to cut him loose following Wednesday's 1-1 tie against Peru.
''The guy worked fantastically and he did everything he had to do to try and make it and in the end I had to make a decision,'' Beenhakker said.
Beenhakker also invited German-based winger Evans Wise to join the team in case forward Cornell Glen does not recover from a hamstring injury.
Trinidad and Tobago will play in Group B with England, Sweden and Paraguay at the World Cup. The Trinidadians will face Wales, Slovenia and the Czech Republic in friendlies before the tournament begins.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Shaka Hislop (West Ham United), Clayton Ince (Coventry City).
Defenders: Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Cyd Gray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Avery John (New England Revolution).
Midfielders: Silvio Spann (unattached), Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Aurtis Whitley (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Evans Wise (Waldhof Mannheim), Densill Theobald (Falkirk), Carlos Edwards (Luton Town), Russell Latapy (Falkirk).
Forwards: Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Stern John (Coventry City), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton FC), Collin Samuel (Dundee United), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy), Anthony Wolfe (Jabloteh).
1 Month to go...
We are now 31 days away from the Trinidad V Sweeden game... We'll meet Robbie in Amsterdam and then make our way down to Dortmund for the game...
29 Days until we meet in Europe!
A prediction for history
For all those who may dispute at a later date in the future:
Warren Khan has made the prediction that TNT will beat England:
and his prediction just got one step closer.....Wayne Rooney is out for the 1st 2 games of the World cup!!
Go TnT!!!
Then today, out of the blue, things got impossibly better, FIFA's lottery system came through and got us tickets to the Brazil v. Australia in Munich on June 18.
