Jules Rimet Still Gleaming…

Ever since going on an epic road trip halfway across Europe with my main men Ollie and Ed for the World Cup in Germany, 2006, I’ve been looking forward to it all coming around again.

And this was just the first night. Look out, rest of Germany!

While we were in Hanover drinking at an all-night bar – an evening that ended up with Ollie and I naked with only stolen balloons covering our modesty, photographic evidence on Facebook – we bumped into, among other people, a very friendly South African guy who ended up inviting us over to stay with him for the duration of the next tournament in 2010.

He wrote his phone number and other details on Ed’s shirt and made off into the night, and at the time we were all completely stoked that we’d managed to secure our accommodation for when we did it all over again in four years’ time.

The three of us said that if we saved £1 per day for the next four years we’d have more than enough money to take two weeks off, get flights to Johannesburg and experience the South African World Cup. It all seemed so possible at the time.

Sadly, we’re not going to the World Cup, though my excitement about the tournament hasn’t been dampened whatsoever. That road trip was epic, the tournament was spectacular and the holiday was one of the best times of my life. The excitement I’m feeling right now, with only a few hours until the first kick-off, is just as high as it was that evening we arrived in the World Cup campsite in Dortmund.

I haven’t seen much commentary on the internet about the World Cup (!) so allow me to project my opinion. I don’t think England will win it, and if they do it will be a huge upset. Don’t get me wrong, I desperately want England to do well, as I always do. And, I know that if it comes to the knockout stages and we end up at penalties – and statistically we’re likely to have to go through at least one penalty shootout if we’re going to get to the final – I’m going to be on the edge of my seat, heart in my mouth and teary-eyed when John Terry blazes one over the bar.

All too familiar for England fans. F*cking penalties!!

But I’m just as much looking forward to the opening games today as any of the England matches. I think the Euros in 2008 made me remember how much of a celebration football is, and the wonderment that comes along with major tournaments shouldn’t limit you to constantly talking about them in reference to your own national team.

Living in Scotland has also given me a great sense of perspective. Qualifying for major tournaments is more often than not a step beyond our neighbours to the north, but up here are some of the most knowledgeable and ardent football fans I’ve ever met. Their passion and commitment to the game is commendable and some of them have managed to convince me that North Korea vs Brazil could be the highlight of the tournament. I know I’m looking forward to it more than England vs Slovenia, anyway.

For make great glorious nation of North Korea!

So today is the day. This could be one of the best World Cups I’ve ever seen, and it promises to be eventful from start to finish. The weeks, months, years of waiting are finally over. Good luck South Africa – the eyes of the footballing world are upon you, and we’re bloody excited!

It's on, bitches!