It's the final countdown! (94)
- 19 Oct 07, 10:22 PM
Paris, Friday evening - Right 鈥 let鈥檚 get down to business.
Like , my nerves are currently clanging like a fire engine bell.
And while Ben is dealing with his personal squeaky-bum hour by , I鈥檓 going for the classic diversionary tactics.
Rather than torturing myself with the thought of how I鈥檒l feel if I don鈥檛 get a ticket, I鈥檓 drawing up a provisional timetable for Saturday鈥檚 shenanigans.
Currently it reads like this:
8am: Wake in a
8.30am: Toy wanly with a piece of toast before pushing it away
8.40am: Turn down Ben鈥檚 request for a 鈥渟pecial World Cup final hug鈥
9am: Go for head-clearing run to Eiffel Tower
9.50am: Clean various shapes of dog faeces off trainers
10.05am: Ring the last 10 people to phone my mobile, just in case any of them forgot to tell me they had a spare ticket
10.20am: Ring them all again, just to be sure
11am: Pile up to Gare du Nord to greet the incoming hordes
12pm: Grab some lunch in caf茅 opposite the GdN with three men dressed as medieval knights and 14 Asterixs
12.30pm: Lend Dirs another 50 Euros for fags
1pm: Head over to the Champs de Mars to inhale the heady atmosphere
1.30pm: Fail to bum ticket off bash-nosed former player in Rugby Village
2pm: Join in game of touch rugby with
2.03pm: Limp out of game following spear tackle by two middle-aged women
4pm: Hobble over to Frog and Princess boozarium in St Germain; take on board stiff reviver
5pm: Either win rugby equivalent of national lottery by bagging holy ticket. Or, launch into night of stomach-churning abandon
6pm: Feel stomach flipping Beth Tweddle-style somersaults and semi-ingested food performing handbrake-style u-turns
6.30pm: Decide England are definitely going to win
6.31pm: Decide England have no chance whatsoever
7pm: Give Dirsy his special World Cup final hug
8pm: Run around in circles like a demented wind-up toy
8.50pm: Shake hands with every Springbok fan within reach
8.59pm (remember, it's a 9pm kick-off over here): Puff out cheeks, take three deep breaths and start to bellow like a distressed ox
What about you? Any schedules you鈥檇 care to share?
Tom Fordyce is a 大象传媒 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with Ben Dirs.
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Train from Nantes to Paris 9am, arrive 11.15am, Lunch with friends 12.30pm, meet more friends at 16.30pm, Got tickets for match at 9pm,
CELEBRATE ENGLAND VICTORY AT 10.30pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well sounds OK to me. I have had to slightly revise my plans as last night we spent 3 hours in A&E getting my son's lastest rugby related injury seen to and he is now on crutches... will miss his match on Sunday and can no longer walk to Saturday's venue. Hope the local taxis don't inflate their prices. (Funny how none of them fly the George Cross just now in contrast to when England play with that other ball.)
So what about the Pumas? Worthy of third place and best of luck to them in the future 4Nats or 7Nats?
by the way...
'8am: wake in a cold sweat'
I don't usually do this stuff... but I'd love to be able to sleep tonight in order to wake up in a sweat.... cold or otherwise!
Got a ticket yet?
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4am (so I should be sleeping right now but am so excited by the France/Argie match I can't): go and collect boyfriend and his friends who've driven over from wherever they've got lost in Paris.
5am - go to sleep
6am - get woken up by a friend ringing to see if I'm excited... (doh!)
10am - actually wake up.
11am - deliver keys of a friend's house to friend.. go for warm up pint and croissant/lunch at the Frog and Rosbef
3pm - go to monoprix for picnic and booze
4pm - arrive at Champs de Mar. set up camp and move people who've taken "our spot" (watched the last 3 matches there).
4:10pm - start picnic
4:30pm - finish picnic
6pm - decide I need the loo but that I can hold it, so I don't lose my spot
7pm - decide I've drunk too much and really really need the loo. stumble home (luckily 10 mins away) to go to said loo, with 5 mates in tow who need the same relief.
8pm - get very very excited and shakey due to lack of food, and too much booze. (89 cent bottle of wine is not bad!)
8:50pm sing National Anthem, sing low, jerusalem etc very loudly at top of voice...
9pm - look at screen
9:01pm - don't look at screen - too nervous....
11pm - celebrate... coz I can't believe we actually got to teh final. result or not!
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You guys are lucky would love to be over there, but hey im havin a party quiet whilst the game is on of course.
Had nerves all day thinkin about the outcome but i really do feel deep down in my heart of hearts we are going to do it,let the boks neutralise jonny what about billy whiz and the forwards we are gonna be too strong for em, get the brasso out boys its really comin home!!!
Come On England !!!!!!!!!!!
good luck boys
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Another great blog!!
We are a family of Poms in Aus, so you can imagine the fun we've had in the last few weeks. We were at the final last time and we are going to try to recreate the same feel. We'll have to get up at 4.30am to take in the atmosphere. The missus is ok cause she's the only one who can fit into her shirt. Our son was nine and is now thirteen and I've drunk half of the Australian wine lake since arriving three years ago!! If things go well we'll be texting all our Aussie and Kiwi mates before 6am to wake them up!!
Good luck with the ticket hunting. From experience it's one of the greatest feelings being there.
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My schedule reads like this
8am wake up
12 Noon start drinking after fielding yet more phone calls from annoying brother who has managed to get himself to Paris.
7pm decide I can't take the stress and move to a commune somewhere in Norfolk
8pm Get bored of commune life and quickly return to local pub to watch us smash the springboks
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NYC 3pm kick off lunasa on 1st ave between 7th street/St Marks Place. i feel sick with excitement.
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I tend to find that a bit of pre-match shopping helps to alleviate the nerves. That's probably not of much help to the England boys, though - I doubt they'll be meandering around Paris' boutiques prior to kick-off.
All there's left to do now is to support them full-heartedly. No matter what the result, I'm so proud of what our team has achieved from such ugly beginnings.
xXx
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I don't give a bugger what your timtable is.
The only timetable that matters happens tomorrow from 8pm (bst) onwards.
Of course it's emotional - are you a writer or just another hanger-on?
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Well, being in Dublin, I've missed much of the atmosphere that would hav been generated back home/in France,though it has to be said the atmosphere here last weekend was immense with all the french encul茅's and our 'you can shove your eiffel tower up your...'.
However i am determined to make the most of tomorrow, and risk carrying my st. georges round the dublin pubs (by the way - many of them don't really like us English...something about years of oppression blah blah..), quietly happy that at least my 1 euro bet on England at 80-1 was each way...! Most likely will culminate in the Woolshed sports bar (that doesnt allow the lesser spotted tracksuit into its habitat) surrounded by the same arrogant saffie bar stewards that engulfed the place for the group game.
Hope I get to give as much jibberjabber to them as I did to the french guy shouting 'on va casse le rosbif ce soir' last weekend...
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Great stuff Tom. Your exploits with Ben have given me many a smile over the last few weeks. A job well done - you lucky so and sos.
What can one say - how to fill the day if not in France?
Get up late, put on radio 5, listen to them talking about football, get irritated and turn it off, go to Sainsburys and potter about longer than necessary, clean the car, clean something else, tick tock, tick tock, have a drink when the sun's going down, have another, put The Gambler on the stereo, have another drink as the tension at 8 is going to be unbearable. Wait for the start of the final chapter of the finest of Rugby World Cups. The goose bumps during the national anthem. Can this get any better?
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Abbreviated Schedule:
4.00 Watch final live in Japan (9pm kick off is 4am here!).
6.00 Go to bed warmly celebrating England victory!!
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Plan after England win, as discussed this evening with neighbour, who is English as well. Do not let me wander around the Welsh township we live in wearing an English shirt singing Sweet Low. Got away with it last w/e, but back to back World Champs, will wind them up to much .So just a quiet sherbet is called for. Would we..
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6:45am watch Everton win the Merseyside derby.
9:00am watch Chelsea destroy Boro
11:15am watch Villa beat Man u
2:00pm watch England win the World Cup....again!
All washed down with plenty of adult beverages.
And all in this little corner of Texas that will forever be ENGLAND!!!
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10:30 get out of bed and head towards the gym - gotta do something to remove a bit of nervous energy
10:45 get to gym and realise i can't actually be arsed but i should so something now i'm here
11:30 finish half arsed workout and head for sauna
12:00 finish sauna and showering, get lunch in gym cafe and sit and read the free rugby centric sports magazine they have there
12:45 leave gym two hours after arriving - i must have worked hard
Begin procrastinating...
15:00 head towards mateas house in London
16:30 arrive at mates house, head straight for pubs en route to 02 Arena
18:00 arrive at o2 arena - track down richard hill and ben cohen for photos and autographs.
18:30 Begin singing swing low, jerusalem and god save the queen in between pints until kick off
20:00 start roaring
20:30 lose voice completely, but keep yelling anyway
10:30 begin the mother of all celebrations!
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There are just 4 of us English who live on a tropical island in NE Brazil (among 13,000 locals), plus 2 others on holiday, but we are having a rugby BBQ at 4pm tomorrow to enjoy the game on TV, whilst relaxing in the 30 degree sun and ocean breezes. Oh what a day it is going to be!!
We have had fun teaching Brazilians what rugby is all about (unheard of over here) and many of them are coming to support as well. To watch their jaws rest on the floor during matches has to be seen, and to see their archrivals Argentina coming third has fired them all up!
When I say us English - there is also a Scottish couple, but for some reason they have stopped talking to us recently!!
By the way on Sunday we are having a Grand Prix BBQ - possibly a double celebration??
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I'm in New Zealand so.....
5.30am Nervous Poo half asleep
6.30am Get my 1 year old son up and dress him in full England Kit (his mum's a Kiwi...so should be fun!!)
7.30am Palm son off to wife, sit down and listen to the ever so bitter kiwi commentators spout rubbish about how 'they' should be in the final
8.00am edge of seat stuff for the full game (no interuptions from wife or son...!!)
10am Frantic texting to mates (if a win) or shed a small smile for how well England have done in this world cup...
Come on lads, bring us home William again...pretty please!!
Great blogs....have fun at the games
Mark
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what is it with these people who want Everton & England to win??! I'll be in the Richmond Arms in Houston, drinking the Boks to glory. Can't do that for the 'Pool though, it's only 6am and i have to drive...
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12:00 buy as much stella as a man can drink
8:00 lets go boys/lets have a bottle
21:35 go mad 4 it england win
11:00 fall to sleep in a coma.
Safe in hte knowledge that the webby's ours
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bang on
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Were are having to watch the match here in the Philippines at 3.00am and rent out a hotel room because no one has any cable! They think we are mad and we apologised for the noise we made the previous week! Can't wait but so much time to kill... Stay up drinking for 9 hours before or sleep then wake up..Hmm tough decisions.
Best of luck England !!!
Time for another pants change.
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woke up this am to see the Argies bash the frogs. Had brekkie (two beers and a sausage). Later had two more beers and left over sausages (cold). Had a swim, put on England shirt (discarded my French one, sad but true) and vetured out into the day, well, late morning/early arvo. If you haven't already guessed, yes, I am a pom living in Oz. You bastards give us ex-pats precious little to crow about and being a pom here in the cricket season is excruciatingly painful to the ears. Why, oh why can't you field a team that will at least try to win and not just turn up for the money! Anyhooo, here we are again at the pointy end of the WC, and we'll see if it is real or just another dissapointment. My son-in-law gives me heaps everytime the poms lose at anything, and lately he's had lots of practice. Come on the Roses, 'and upon this charge cry God for Harry, England and'.......for Christ's sake, win.
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Alarm set for 8 am - been up since 6am...
0900 Set off for tunnel with 13 other nervous wrecks.
13:30 En France (again)
15:30 En Paris (again) same hotel as last week so at least we know where were going. First beer.
16:30 Meet the french man who has my tickets, well he better meet me, he better have them, better not have inflated the price since last we spoke or worst of all not ended his life after France's performance last night!!! 2nd beer
16:45 Head to SdF with the others to try and find more tickets. Beers 3 - 10
19:30 Pray tickets will get us in the ground. NO BEER, France a nation of alcoholics and only alcohol free beer in the ground - the mind boggles.
20:00 Sing anthem loudly
20:01 to finish of game, pray, sing, pray, sing, pray, sing
Paint Paris red one final time this year whilst putting the Boks fans back in their box for another 4 years.
Have no voice again for the next week!!!
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It's such a beautiful morning - I'm watching the mist rise off the lawn on a calm autumnal day. Did I just say calm? TICK TOCK tick... tock ...tick....... tock. Oh my Lordy Lord Did anyone else get any sleep last night? Why are the Ticks and Tocks so slow? I shall make a desultory pass at a Domestic Goddess routine today, but I know I will keep returning to this blog like a raggedy old addict.
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Im 1/2 English, 1/2 South African who lives in western Australia, so this world cup has been fantastic for me!
So stoked about the final pairing, and whilst I am supporting England i'm hardly gonna be disappointed if they lose, as really I did not expect them to get this far. Beating the Aussies has been the highlight for me...
so schedule:
working til midnight, drinking until the 3am KO, getting rowdy and merry until the final whistle, no matter what...
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I麓m living in Germany , but thank god that german sport tv are showing the final.
it麓s 8:45am and i can麓t sleep anymore i麓m so nervous ,can麓t wait until we lift the cup again
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In a surprise late development it has emerged that in a feat of modern civil engineering, a consortium of French companies have worked through the night to lift and relay the pitch for tonight's game on a raised hydraulic platform hinged along the half way line. It would seem that the intention is to ensure an uphill struggle for the English team throughout the game - and in a further twist it appears that a sheep was turned loose on the pitch for 5 minutes so that the entire cost of the operation would qualify as grazing improvements under the Common Agricultural Policy. An invoice is apparently being sent to the UK government today.
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can麓t wait to we lift the cup again,ihave to watch the game in munich
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11am Finish work and drive home
12pm Attempt sleep
2pm Abandon attempts at sleep as overcome with a heady mix of excitement, apprehension and abject fear
7pm Go to work early in order to find quiet spot with a TV
8pm Cross everything and pray feverishly
9pm Leave quiet spot to start work knowing that doing so will undoubtedly destroy Englands chances
9.01pm Sneak back to TV and hope everyone assumes I'm busy and decide not to disturb me for at least half an hour
Cry God for Johnny, England and St. George!
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0858 - Wake up and look in last night's jeans to check that the ticket is still there
0900 - Check jeans pocket again
0902 - Check jeans pocket again
0904 - Check jeans pocket again
0905 - Check jeans pocket again
0908 - Check jeans pocket again
0910 - Check jeans pocket again
bis repetita ad nauseam
Seriously, lunch in my lucky restaurant
Beers in my local (see how I avoid giving the name so it's not TOO busy!)
and come on England!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4pm play squash (nervous energy)
7:30pm go to 21st birthday party
8:45pm leave birthday party, pleading headache
11:00pm reappear at birthday party, having consumed large quantities of alcohol "for medicinal reasons"
Here in Johannesburg that story will fool no-one, the place is totally rugby mad. We'll have the party and the rugby.
COME ON THE BOKKE!!!!!
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I am on holiday in Tunisia. On what TV channel can i watch the final tonight?
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"He waits; that's what he does.
And I tell you what: tick followed tock followed tick followed tock followed tick...
Ahab says, 'I don't care who you are, here's to your dream.'
'Here's to you, Ahab'.
And the fat drummer hit the beat with all his heart.
Here's to waiting."
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10am Help father in law fix new bannisters in a vain attempt to keep my mind off game
11am re-do bannisters due to dodgy cutting of wood as I can't keep my mind of the game
12pm attempt some lunch
1pm start pacing floor
2pm start pacing in another room so as to wear carpet evenly (my wife's idea)
3pm get ready to go to rugby party
4pm arrive at friends house to start the party
5pm retell rugby stories of yore
6pm think about heading to Kenilworth rfc for game
7pm start walking (with crutches) to rugby club
8pm carry on drinking, singing and supporting
10pm walk home on air - who needs crutches after today?
11pm apologise (again) to wife for state I am in
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AM: Domestics
3pm: Watch Arsenal v Bolton
5pm Drive to Co. Durham
9pm: Listen to Rugby on R5L in traffic jam nr Leeds......
Poor planning, especially from a Project Manager!
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The fact that I can't actually sit still for 2 seconds or hold any type of proper conversation due to nerves has hindered plans somewhat. What I intend to do though is go and buy my tickets for London Irish v Gloucester to try and take my mind off things a bit then spend the rest of the day humming 'Land of Hope and Glory' and 'Swing Low' to myself before getting to the pub insanely early to camp down in front of the TV. Woe betide anyone who tries to get in my way.
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AM: Domestics
3pm: Watch Arsenal v Bolton
5pm Drive to Co. Durham
9pm: Listen to Rugby on R5L in traffic jam nr Leeds......
Poor planning, especially from a Project Manager!
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What a great day for rugby..
England to win by 6 points,
jonny will go off injured but enland to still win. we must do the south africans..
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What a great day for rugby..
England to win by 6 points,
jonny will go off injured but enland to still win. we must do the south africans..
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good luck england. i think it'll be dificult for you today though. south africa have been the most consistent team throughout the tournament. however, any team is beatable. they came through a tough game against figi proving their belief in the last 15 mins.very impressive rugby i thought; but if england score first then it'll be interesting....
play to your strenghts, keep it tight, defend like spartans, and kick drop-goals whenever possible!
willie w, scotland.
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9.00am - watch news channels with envy at all English fans arriving at Gare du Nord
9.15am Wonder if ther's enough time to get to Paris fot tonight's game.
9.30 Give up on that idea.
9.35 read papers with amazement that they have all managed 24 pages of copy each per day for the last fortnight on the RWC. Would like to ring them am up and explain to them that their are 14 other players playing apart from Wilkinson plus the subs..
11.00am 3 rashers, 2 sausages,2 Eggs, tomatos, mushropoms, beans and toast.
12.30 Wonder whether it's too early for a beer
12.31 It's world cup day - how can it be too early for a beer
3.30 Head to World Cup BBQ
4.30 Watch 2003 final again
6.30 start getting nervous
7.55 National Anthems
8.15 Watch Johnny Wilkinson leave the pitch injured
8.45 Wonder how england are going to comeback from a 21 point deficit, with no reply - it's gone then smae way as the pool game.
8.47 Decide to never give up hope.
9.05 Watch Paul Sackey score Eng's first try.
9.12 Watch Martin Corry power over for Eng's second try
9.22 Watch Jason Robinson beat 7 of the Bokke to score Eng's 3rd try.
9.33 Watch Percy miss SA's only penalty of the half because his hair blew into his eyes.
81st minute of the match - watch Lol Dallaglio score the only drop goal of his Career.
Post game - sweet oblivion
Monday - go to Ladbrokes to collect winnings for bet I put on before the tournament started as I knew they could always do it.
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Am currently sitting in the business lounge of Dubai airport waiting for plane back to London - currently plane is due to land 30 mins before kick off - am praying that by some miracle the plane lands poss 30 mins early and I manage to get home with only a few mins gone - more likely scenario is that I will be sitting in gatwick airport running around trying to find a tv showing the game!!!
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0430: England win
0500: England lose
0530: Engalnd win
0600: England lose
0630: England win
0700: England lose
0730: England win
0800: England lose
(then every 30 minutes until 2140'ish)
2200: England win (or lose)
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As I teach in New Delhi, India, me and my mate are going to my classroom at 12.30am with a few beers. We'll log on & watch England win on some live streaming internet site through the projector and speakers on my big classroom screen. You lucky real time people!!!
Come on!
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Cheers Willie, nice sentiments.
I was living in Edinburgh during the last world cup final, as extra time started the doorbell rang and a man and his son asked if I wanted to discuss the end of the world. I politely told them that if I didn't get back to the tv pronto, it might happen earlier than planned for me. Had a proper 'Fever Pitch' moment when I ran back in to see Jonny kick for goal. No repeat performance this year, the Union Jack pub in Southwark being the venue.
I haven't been this excited since this time 4 years ago.
Tom and Ben, you rule. Great blog, and cracking bbc.co.uk commentary before that. Keep it up, fingers crossed you will not be one of the 2500.
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Rugby World Cup Final - Who has been earmarked for a knighthood in the rugby team?.
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The Jonny wax work is it named a "Study in Constipation" ?
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Kick off is at 7am Sunday here in Fiji, 8 hours to go. Currently sitting in my office above the bar I operate in Suva & my bar staff are doing the right thing by playing Swing Low every 15 minutes, I'm a Pom by birth. No chance of sleeping so shall get together with my crew, including some of The Fiji team who brought us great pride & joy with their performances against Wales and SA, mix a few basins of Kava (look it up)and discuss in great depth what I expect to be a great final. The passion for rugby here ensures a lengthy and lively discussion, so the hours till kick off will fly. By the time the game starts we will all be suitably 'grog-doped' (don't look it up, it cannot be explained only experienced)and then it's game on!! Level at half time and England to win by less than seven. Happy boy when I hit the hay, & my joy suitably enhanced by the knowledge that my Aussie bookmaker will be well & truely XXXX'd.
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OK - 8 hours to go - I am living and working at an American Uni in the Middle East - so getting a few strange looks every time I mention 'rugby', 'world' and 'cup' - even the massive flag with the cross of St George with English rose in the centre on my front door on campus does not seem to alert the Americans to the match.......
Come on boys, 80 minutes of the heart and passion we all know you have - England Expects...and will not be disappointed. Swing low..............
My Schedule (I am 3 hours ahead of Paris:
8am - wake, explain (again) to American wife how important today is
9am - walk the dogs on campus - hang cross of St George on front door
9:30 - explain (again) to wife how monumental this is - bemused looks
10:30 - stomach begins to churn - not this nervous since I played in Dubai 7s
11:45 - Lunch not looking to appealing - how can I eat? Too nervous - some sort of empathy with the Boys in Paris
12:30 - watch 大象传媒 and the thousands flocking to the City of Love. See the choir at Waterloo station - shivers down the spine - times like this being an expat is not great - explain to wife why I seem a little misty-eyed
2:30pm - call mates to check they have beer and meat for the pre-game barbecue
2:32 - call mates to see if they are also shi**ing it
3:36 pm - sitting in office writing this blog - had to get out of house to avoid another explanation of the importance of the day
Look ahead: home at 5pm, pace the house, open a beer, nerves all over the place, all friends in UK and hear the throng of a distant London boozer, 8pm friends arrive, discuss game and chances, 8:32 decide England will win, 8:40 decide England will fall apart, explain to wife the mood swing, 9pm fire up barbecue, eat, drink, be merry, discuss game, few beers in realise England WILL win, 10:30, get TV on and viewing spot on couch, 10:46, pace floor, look for support from friends, 10:55, stand and sing national Anthem, those shivers return, stomach on a day out at Alton Towers, whistle blows, here we go...come on boys, DO US PROUD....................
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My schedule tonight is a tough one..
I am currently in Cambodia..it's now 6.45 pm - the game kicks off at 3.00am Cambodia time so I must get on the beer now, go and find some suitably enthuiastic ex-pats and stay awake all night, in the hope of continuing a victry celebration over breakfast!
The town here in Siem Reap has reaaly got the buzz and all the bars are showing the match!
Come on England!!!
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Kick off is at 7am Sunday here in Fiji, 8 hours to go. Currently sitting in my office above the bar I operate in Suva & my bar staff are doing the right thing by playing Swing Low every 15 minutes, I'm a Pom by birth. No chance of sleeping so shall get together with my crew, including some of The Fiji team who brought us great pride & joy with their performances against Wales and SA, mix a few basins of Kava (look it up)and discuss in great depth what I expect to be a great final. The passion for rugby here ensures a lengthy and lively discussion, so the hours till kick off will fly. By the time the game starts we will all be suitably 'grog-doped' (don't look it up, it cannot be explained only experienced)and then it's game on!! Level at half time and England to win by less than seven. Happy boy when I hit the hay, & my joy suitably enhanced by the knowledge that my Aussie bookmaker will be well & truely XXXX'd.
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This are South Afreca calling and aw cawn't see you Poms doing nuffing in no 7 hours time! This one is the Boks all the way. Still, sniff, England do play a half decent games sometimes when they got Johnny wot c'n hoof a ball about a bit. Any I make it 55-30 to us. But then when I stop drinking I halve that and make it 27-15. Watcfh the other wing. Mark Habana and Peterson willget a score or too. Schalk Burger for man of the match and Butch James to overshadow Johnny. Our centres to do to yours wot evryone thought Oz centres would do but wot they nevver did: turn you'se inside out and leave you drying flailing tentacles and all in the sand.
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Trying to find things to use up the time. Have spent most of my free time this morning on the loo because I'm so nervous. Funny that because I usually reserved that for cricket. Apart from that, I feel a bit like Hugh Grant in About a Boy: swimming with the kids 2 hours; Lunch 1/2 hour; drive kids to birthday party, 1/2 hour; Long run and shower 2 hours; pick up kids 1/2 hour; drive to firends for dinner 1 hour; explain the rules of Rugby to the Germans (we live in Germany) 2 hours or more depending on whether they can understand it; Scream and shout for England 2 hours; Laugh or cry.................
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Even Cambodia has the buzz...
Here in the town of Siem Reap most bars are showing the game (3am Cambodian time). Plently of expats, and plenty of Ozzies and Kiwis looking glum..
Come on England!!
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Carole maidenhead - legend "He waits...."
That has made me want a Guinness - just those words ahhhhhhhhhhhh I'll wait - evening kick off rips at the patience of all men - Champagne at jimmies - bring it on
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Simple plan for the day
7:30am - arrive at work.
6:30pm - hand over to the man who is covering the last 2 hours of my shift (huge favour owed!).
6:32pm - arrive in pub opposite work.
7:55pm - sing National Anthem loudly and proudly.
8:01pm - begin to panic as Brian Habana get the ball for the first time.
8:01pm - cheer loudly as Andy Sheridan dumps the afore-mentioned Habana out to touch, denting the speed merchants confidence to such a degree that he doesn't want the ball for the next 79 minutes.
10:00pm (approx) - start the party as England retain the Web Ellis Trophy.
7:30am Sunday - crawl into work for another 12 hour shift with a hangover that could kill a herd of elephants.
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Preparation in the Philippines: An evening at the Ladyboy cabaret show followed by sexuality-reaffirming beer and rugby back at home with live coverage and English Commentary. God bless ESPN-Star for carrying it.
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These blogs have put a permanent smile on my face throughout the whole tournament. Sir, you are a LEGEND!!!!!!
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Finally managed to find somewhere in Chicago to watch the game, only for my suitcase (with my lucky England shirt in it) to get lost by the airline!
Got my fingers crossed now that the bag turns up before kick-off- 6 hours and counting!
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bobbyh - He waits, oh and she waits too - how she waits! Awakened in the early hours - or did I even sleep? - with the sound of those drums throbbing out of my consciousness. The drumming gets louder and more insistent every hour, or is that my burgeoning heart? Woooooh. Note to self: breathe.
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I'm in Houston and it all so sounds so exciting. I'll be taking my son (his 18th birthday today - but still can't drink legally here) to Big John's who will be showing the game on everyone of their 63 televisions, the semis were packed here and the final will be stifling, but what an occasion. Let's hope the Setanta puppets don't go off on their usual anti-England tangents.
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you have 8pm run round in circles like some sort of dememnted wind up toy.
i've been doing this since 6:30 am when i got up to come to work, forgot my car keys had to go back and fetch them, forgot my works pass, had to drive back home to fetch it.
made 3 mistakes so far at work. i'm hoping i can remember where i live when i drive home so i can watch the match, but the brain just will not concentrate on anything.
god knows how the players must feel because i'm more nervous about this game than any game i ever played in myself.
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you have 8pm run round in circles like some sort of dememnted wind up toy.
i've been doing this since 6:30 am when i got up to come to work, forgot my car keys had to go back and fetch them, forgot my works pass, had to drive back home to fetch it.
made 3 mistakes so far at work. i'm hoping i can remember where i live when i drive home so i can watch the match, but the brain just will not concentrate on anything.
god knows how the players must feel because i'm more nervous about this game than any game i ever played in myself.
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I'm in Houston and it all so sounds so exciting. I'll be taking my son (his 18th birthday today - but still can't drink legally here) to Big John's who will be showing the game on everyone of their 63 televisions, the semis were packed here and the final will be stifling, but what an occasion. Let's hope the Setanta puppets don't go off on their usual anti-England tangents.
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Setanta commentators neutral and say it as it is - but the so called "British" comentators on ITV certainly arent and at least 10m of their audience aren't English.
But they never remember that; Greenwood, Rosental etc etc are a disgrace !!!
Bring back Bill McLaren who was always impartial.
GO BOKKE !!!
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Flicking between channels like an agitated sparrow, bit of live India/Australia 20/20 match and football updates; trying to make myself eat a sandwich(note to self: mild cheddar really is a waste of time); even considering doing the ironing for crying out loud!! Meanwhile, hubby is storming down the motorway to get back in time for kick-off. And the cat is getting mightily p****d off with my unending meanderings round the house. And breeeeeeathe....
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Thailand, Sat. am buy beer. midday commence refreshments. 3p.m. start to discuss likely time of transmission, more refreshment. Realise that transmission of game via Thai cable is from a SA tv sports channel, depression, beer, now it's 10 p.m. Thai time and the beers running out, the wife refuses to go and buy more, we're not sure what time the game will be on, cans of corned beef and tins of baked beans finished... Does this qualify for UN intervention. HELP
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Thailand, Sat. am buy beer. midday commence refreshments. 3p.m. start to discuss likely time of transmission, more refreshment. Realise that transmission of game via Thai cable is from a SA tv sports channel, depression, beer, now it's 10 p.m. Thai time and the beers running out, the wife refuses to go and buy more, we're not sure what time the game will be on, cans of corned beef and tins of baked beans finished... Does this qualify for UN intervention. HELP
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I live in Empangeni, Zululand, South Africa. There has been a great vibe in town for the last few days. At lunchtime today I did the weekly grocery shopping and the vibe in town was great. All the store staff and most of the customers were in the green and gold of the winning team. On the way home many cars were flying the SA flag or the Bokke flag. Despite a large English expatriate community I did not see one red and white 0-36 shirt. Go Bokke Go!!
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For the good of rugby as a spectator sport I hope we get well and truely thrashed tonight. However, I have a feeling our incredible luck will continue and there might be one last surprize just waiting to happen - so if it does let's savour the moment but not get deluded, we are nothing special, there were probably at least another 12 teams in the competition that were better than us and would have made more worthy winners.
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So the whinning boks are out already, image how they are going to feel in a few hours. If you dont want bias commentary im sure there is some great stuff on SA tv.
GO ENGLAND !!!
Tom,Dirsy thanks again for your hospitality in Marseille. Hope you have some joy with the tickets. Its been a long 7 weeks but you made it. ENJOY !!
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I take your 'im in! im in! im in!' status means you've nabbed a golden ticket Tom? Might I be the first to congratuate you mate, you ruddy well deserve it, as a fan of yourself and bens cricket commentary ive been an avid reader of your blogs since day one of the tournament.
This could turn into one hell of a fairy tale with the right result tonight, you should write a book! I'll get back to you with some preliminary titles once the dust has settled.
COME ON ENGLAND!
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Bushy, (post 65)
if the Setanta commentators are so unbiased why did I receive the e-mail below from Setanta?
Dear Keith,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. We very much value all feedback whether good or bad.
We at Setanta Sports would like to apologize to you and all rugby fans that were offended by the commentary during the England v France semi-final of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
There is a need to make rugby coverage compelling for the viewer but sometimes the urge to be controversial can result in the commentators losing the run of themselves. This happened during and after the England v France game and resulted in a very one-sided and biased presentation. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior and they should have given their opinions in a much more balanced way.
It is our goal to present an objective viewpoint at all times and steer clear of any petty or bitter rivalry. It is clear that this was not the case on Saturday.
For this reason we have decided to try our best to source different commentary for the Final. We would once again like to say how badly we feel about upsetting our viewers who have been loyal and valued customers for many years.
We would also like, in the spirit of the game, to take this opportunity to wish England & South Africa the best of luck for the final.
Best wishes,
Setanta Sports
-------------------------
SORT OF NULIFIES YOUR PIONT REALLY?
"CRY HAVOC, AND LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR" !!!
LETS GO ENGLAND !!!
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Currently in Johannesburg and the Bokkies are going mad out here! All the shops have sold out of every green item of clothing, the place is mobbed.
Gonna be a great night for me. If England win i'll party until I'm sick. If England lose, the whole City will be one big party, which I'll enjoy any way.
C'mon England!
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80 minutes to go. Starting to feel sick. 4 years ago one of the best moments of my life shared with all my family and a few mates. Now I'm in Sardinia and off to a beach bar with some English....not all rugby fans and a few confused Italians. Will be texting my loved ones through the match. Love the spirit of the boys and most of the bloggers. A few seem to miss that this is what makes Rugby more than a game.....it's the spirit I love ......SA are a great team and if we manage to beat them we will also have proved to be a great team. No place for insults. There will be 30+ great men giving there all tonight. To paraphrase....' Those who are about to do battle we salute you.'
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Twenty minutes to go ,damn Setanta PPV hasn`t started yet!
Hope you`re inside the stadium Tom.
SWI-I-I-ING LO-O-O-OW.....
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Now is the time. I'm stuck at work, and nervy as hell.
There is nothing that can be said now, every man knows their task, and our time has come.
Come on England, once more into the breach dear friends....
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After laughing myself silly while reading Tom's schedule, I have recovered enough to join the rest of us Earthians-for-England and send you
all our very best wishes for a smashing win in Paris. We love you and our amazing Rockies baseball champs here in Colorado! GO ENGLAND!
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england are idiots
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Unlucky lads, you've come a hell of a long way since the defeat against the Boks when you were written off by everyone. You can still be proud of what you have achieved and that every single man gave their all in the final, it just wasn't meant to be! You've done your country and yourselves proud!
Well Done England
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Once again we get the hype, the over the top build up, the 'there's no one like us' syndrom and then you get beat. I love it, long may it continue.
Your never that good anyway.
Deal with it.
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So it was a match too far.....
The best news is here in the US we did not have to listen to Setanta Sport commentary....Setanta gave us 大象传媒 both for the match commentary and the half and post match analysis...thank you Setanta !!
So to the game - I think the best team won on the day. Was it a try...maybe...maybe not....it was too close to call so I except the decision.
One point of note - as an Englishman I am allowed some sour grapes (having heard so much from so many others these last few weeks) are South Africa the first team to win the RWC without ever facing - even in their group stages - Australia, New Zealand or France ? I am not disputing their win today - the best team won - but they had a pretty easy run throughout the tournament....including an appaling England in their group stage.
Well done South Africa - you may well be the best and you deserved to win today.....but.......???
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A great spectacle - great effort by the England teambut I now know why I watch football more than rugby.So much is made of Rugby being better because of respect for the officials and video decisions. Tonight we saw exactly why they are worthless. A line judge 3 yards away can't make a decision. Why is he there??? A ref who says why shouldn't he give the try?? He then abrogates the decision and a complete travesty is perpetrated. What next? Players meekly accept the decision for the good of the game. If you have technology then it has to be correct. Tonight shows you swap one lack of human judgement for another. Roll on MOTD.
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Dont listen to miles above.
England gave it their best shot...some mistakes/lack of discipline at the beginning definetly cost us.
Ultimatly if we had rightly recieved that try, then i think the momentem would have retained us world champion status.
Well done boys. Youve played awesome this World Cup
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Hmmmmm! I wait in anticipation to read what ALL those analytical experts have to say now! Should make for interesting reading. And ALL those excuses!!!!
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'For the sake of rugby'... my arse. I hope all those 'fans of the running game' will note that one team ran with the ball and one team relied on a great kicking game, a truly great display in the lineout, and ferocious defense to win the game.
Congratulations to SA for the win and congratulations to Eng for doing so much more than 'just making up the numbers'.
I know we have seen the back of some great players, such as Robinson and Catt, and probably Shaw, Regan, Dallaglio and Vickery, but the future has to be bright. All we need now is for Hipkiss to learn how to play at inside center...
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Congratulations South Africa.
The best team in the tournament and deserved winners today.
As an Englishman living in New Zealand, I have to say the kiwis should take a leaf out of the French and the English book. Being graceful in defeat (even though most of us thought Cueto had scored), as it is all part of the GAME.
No blaming refs for years to come from the French and English quarters
Well done South Africa, fully deserved, unlike the kiwi press.
Congrats to SA, fully deserved
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Hey Keith 73 how you doing now ? Any more fictitious letters from "Setanta" - funny no name on it.
I could write similar one from ITV.
You fool no-one........
"The dogs of war" - whimper whimper.
Bod losers already moaning about TMO decision Martin Johnson knew and said was never a try - good for him being honest - and after what you guys called the ABs after the English ref missed the biggest forward pass in history you should be ashamed of your hypocrisy.
Cheerio chariots !!!
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Miles go home and watch the football !
It's a pleasure to watch the pride and passion in the team.
Well done England !! What a ride :-)
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'For the sake of rugby'... my arse. I hope all those 'fans of the running game' will note that one team ran with the ball and one team relied on a great kicking game, a truly great display in the lineout, and ferocious defense to win the game.
Congratulations to SA for the win and congratulations to Eng for doing so much more than 'just making up the numbers'.
I know we have seen the back of some great players, such as Robinson and Catt, and probably Shaw, Regan, Dallaglio and Vickery, but the future has to be bright. All we need now is for Hipkiss to learn how to play at inside center...
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I've not been too well recently. It started when Wales lost to England by umpteen to something. I got worse when Wales lost to Fiji and even worser when England beat the Aussies.The crisis came when England beat France. I started to have bad dreams at night - you know - the sort where England come to Cardiff and are given the key to the city and dig up the pitch after winning three zillion to three after extra time. But, boyo's, I'm better today. Must have been something I hate. Can't think what.
Anyone see the game yesterday? I'm dying to hear who won.
Dave
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I've not been too well recently. It started when Wales lost to England by umpteen to something. I got worse when Wales lost to Fiji and even worser when England beat the Aussies.The crisis came when England beat France. I started to have bad dreams at night - you know - the sort where England come to Cardiff and are given the key to the city and dig up the pitch after winning three zillion to three after extra time. But, boyo's, I'm better today. Must have been something I hate. Can't think what.
Anyone see the game yesterday? I'm dying to hear who won.
Dave
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I've not been too well recently. It started when Wales lost to England by umpteen to something. I got worse when Wales lost to Fiji and even worser when England beat the Aussies.The crisis came when England beat France. I started to have bad dreams at night - you know - the sort where England come to Cardiff and are given the key to the city and dig up the pitch after winning three zillion to three after extra time. But, boyo's, I'm better today. Must have been something I hate. Can't think what.
Anyone see the game yesterday? I'm dying to hear who won.
Dave
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Guys i am so proud of you and your achievements, the passion and the pride lives with you and the memory lives with me and many others. What it means to pull on the white shirt with the red rose was a great comment Martin Corry, because you Rugby guys have shown to us all what it meant to you. We are proud,a nation can be proud and you should continue to be proud. Hold your heads high and bring on the future.
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