Ducks in a Row to Swim The Pond

While this blog won't "go live" until I reach Germany this Saturday, June 10th, wanted to get underway with the foreword as it were. This is also a practice exercise to learn the ropes with this particular blog interface and how this thing will work to our best interest.

All indications are "fur wundervolles Wetter in Deutschland am Wochenende". And while the weather may indeed be wonderful, another premise from the onset is to lay a blanket apology out for my extremely rusty German, which will nonetheless, have to serve me through. (and too, I have no clue where the umlaut key combo is on this keyboard).

In laying the scene, I'll hit the ground, hopefully gently via Delta's top-notch equipment and talented pilots' hands, in Frankfurt, travelling directly to Waldstadion to secure my FIFA media credential and match tickets for the first match I'm to shoot; England v. Paraguay. Immediately following that match, am commuting to Cologne (henceforth, Koeln, sorry, again, no umlaut), where I'll be based the first week I'm in country.

The following day, Angola and Portugal kick off to revisit some bad blood from the days of Colonial Africa, before I travel to Gelsenkirchen, Monday, June 12th, for the brutal opener the U.S. drew against an experienced, talented and accomplished side from the Czech Republic.

A strong qualifying run by the home team has been mitigated lately by some lackluster build-up matches but one might suspect, Bruce Arena is holding back some surprises for the Czechs. If those work out as well as the 2002 opener against an also heavily-favored Portugal team, we can live with that.

As with all the content of this blog, written and photographic, Copyrighted 2006, All Rights Reserved, Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA - USA.