LD'S 2006 WORLD CUP PHOTOS!
OK don't get too excited this is just a blow by blow account of the Blues News trip...that means "Larry's" trip to Europe and in particular the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Before you go any further we must warn you some of this might be fun and therefore could be considered inappropriate for uptight over 30's. The trip began with a long flight from LAX to New York and of course while in New York we or I visited Manhattan and walked around the city. Called my Mom, she told me I had to eat...you know how moms are? We start with a couple of photos from New York and take it from there. This could get boring for you but tough...it was our, I mean my trip and I had fun putting this together as I went along.
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| LD & NYC TRANSIT | LD AT RADIO CITY | MY BREAKFAST | LD AT GRAND CENTRAL |
YOU CAN ENLARGE MANY OF THESE PHOTOS
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UPDATED TO JULY 8, 2006
This is a long trip so bare with me here. Back to the chronological story...a long flight from New York to Barcelona, not much to report about the flight, I got lucky with my seating just a nice elderly woman from Madrid a seat away with an empty seat between us. We talked some but mainly I got to kick it with no "unconditioned" passengers taking up all the space...my worst phobia. First stop Madrid airport for a brief layover, then onto Barcelona making the flight even longer...don't you feel sorry for me?
Ahhh Barcelona...what a wonderful city. It has changed some since my last visit in 1998. It seems bigger...it seems busier, talk about a melting pot, perhaps because it is summer and many tourists are there for the beach from all over Europe not to mention the rest of the world. To go along with the sights there are the many sounds and yes the smells. In Europe traveling the buses and trains you must accept that there are those for whom bathing is not a custom.
OK enough of this trip stuff I have to skip to the World Cup (minor details that have to do with the IRS) and will get back to my vacation later. I got to Germany just as the cup was beginning on June 9th. My gracious hosts were none other than Monica and Willi "The Duck" Lippens. The Duck is a nickname given to Willi because of his style of play for his many years as a professional player in the German Bundesliga. Willi is famous around these parts and runs a small bed and breakfast in Bottrop which is a suburb of Essen in the Northwest of Germany. Oh I forgot that it just so happens that Monica and Willi are the mother and father of recently married Blues Coach Martin Lippens...thanks for the hook up with your folks Martin! Arrival was a bit strange not knowing what to expect but with the first game being televised on their big screen in the main dining hall of their resteraunt...the beer was flowing and I soon began to feel more comfortable. After the first few beers you know it just begins to grow on you. The good thing was Germany beat the living hell out of the poor Costa Ricans 4 to 2 so everyone was pretty happy.
As many of you know by now who have been following the cup the United States team absolutely stunk it up against the Czech Republic and played into their counter attacking feet giving them an easy 3-0 victory as they pounced upon our early mistakes, after that we put up little resistance. We were there in force at the game but it was disheartening to see our team so weak and ineffective. Many knowledgeable fußball people will tell you that the first game of a cup is a difficult one to adjust to...no excuses however, we just got beat. Memo to the boys, when you are getting beat badly it is ok to run in a soccer match! Still we had fun, Mary and David Naimie were also there at the Czech game and we took a few photos (Below). Oh if you are wondering who the hell the guy on the left is, no it is not me at the swimming pool...it is my 
Once I arrived in Kaiserslautern I discovered my hotel, the Turm Hotel was situated in Altenglan way up in the hills past the infamous Ramstein Airbase. There is only one small two car train from K Town as the natives call it to Altenglan, then you have to grab a Taxi to the top of the hill to get to the hotel. 
I must say that of all the U.S. games I have been to in my life the USA vs Italy match 
was the most meaningful. You just had to be there to understand the electricity that was in the air. The fans understood what had to happen and we were huge underdogs given our situation. Once again I met David and Mary when I got to my seat and from the moment the game started we were on our feet. The Italians attempted to cheer and sing their songs but the U.S. fans were the difference makers in the match cheering and chanting the entire game practically willing our boys to bring home a result. We refused to accept defeat even when we were playing with nine players to their ten with the red cards in the game. The 1-1 tie was not exactly what we wanted but we got a point and we took it. Grazie Zaccardo was our chant leaving the stadium for the own goal he gave us. At least we had a chance even if we did have to beat Ghana who in my opinion was the most talented team of our group. Once again on your left is the Italian fan of the game, there was also a USA fan of the game (Right) but to see the whole photo you would have to buy the explicit version of the photo album (just use your imagination), I did not have to. 
traveling to a neighboring country but we will get back to Holland later. Onto my stay in Köln where I saw two matches (France vs Togo and the round of 16 match with Switzerland and Ukraine). 
The first game I went to in Köln was the match between group favorite France who had yet to perform at their expected level vs underdog Togo. I had seen Togo before and in my opinion they really stood little chance of winning this game. The French who dominated the stadium with fan support (see first photo below) needed to win 2-0 in order to advance out of their group in first place. Although the goals came mid way through the second half they got it done even without Zidane who had to sit out the match with two yellow cards. I doubt this guy on the left was a real Togo fan, more like a beer drinking schnitzel eating German in a Togo's clothing, nevertheless he was one of the more outrageous "Togo" fans I could find. I guess if you enlarge that photo below you can see the bald guy with the star painted on his head...but he was too far away to get a good shot of. 
Shannon Munoz's brothers Ryan (Left), Mikey (Center), and Jorge Salcedo (Right), oh and yeah that is beer they are drinking...remember this is Germany. During our down time between the two games we had the opportunity to "examine" the city a little more closely. Aside from drinking at the many available party spots there was plenty of shopping to do and let's not forget the food we were "forced" to eat. You may not know this but before I became famous for soccer...if I ever did...I was well known for my ability to consume large quantities of food at one sitting, thus my fascination with food, that is me aka the "Cobra". I was impressed with what I dubbed the "Meat Tent"; at most hours of the night you could walk to the center of the action and get a good bratwurst. Of course there were many other attractions in Köln, too many to post here, along with the Meat Tent below.
(Above) Of course there was business to attend to, aside from the France vs Togo match I went to see my first Round of 16 match between Switzerland (Left) and the Ukraine (Right) which the Ukraine won in PK's. Thanks to Hugo and Jorge Salcedo, I had some of the best seats in the house as can be seen from the photo below. The next day I traveled to Dortmund to catch the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Ghana. Being such a big fan of Brazil's and planning ahead in my ticket selections I had charted Brazil through to the final if they continued to win and had tickets for their Round of 16 which again I was at, then their Quarterfinal, and eventually their Semifinal...of course I would probably never find a ticket to the final regardless who would advance. I was really worried about this match vs Ghana who had played extremely well so far vs the Brazilians who had yet to demonstrate they were up to winning the championship. Brazil took advantage of Ghana who without their top player because of yellow cards...a recurring theme in this world cup. Ghana was inexperienced compared to the Brazilians and even playing poorly they were able to win the game scoring two quick goals in the first half and a late one in the second for a 3-0 win. Good, Brazil was onto the quarters where I would see them in Frankfurt, hope they get their act together!
Updates are coming slow these days, beginning to get a hang of Europe and haven't had much time to get more photos up...ok let's see where was I? During a lull in the action and games following my two Round of 16 matches and before the Brazil vs France Quarterfinal I would go to in Frankfurt I took a train to Amsterdam for a three day excursion...not sure if I can "remember" the details. I do know that while I was there I sat in a bar drinking my milk and sadly watched as Germany beat Argentina in PK's and Italy then put a whooping on the Ukraine both in Quarterfinal play. I am getting ahead of myself though a few photos from my side trip to Amsterdam...remember the food theme. On the right is me in amazement that there is a shop well several shops in Amsterdam that are just dedicated to bon bons...you have to taste these things to get a good appreciation of how good they are! Well surrounded by my bon bons (Below) would be my pancake breakfast with bacon in it...mmm, then my stampot (a big meatball surrounded by mashed potatoes) dinner...a Dutch tradition. Besides walking around a lot and checking out the entire place I also did some tourist stuff like visiting the Anne Frank House, and took a photo in front of the central train station.
Well following Brazil's sad defeat I headed back to Bottrop for the last time to pick up my stuff and to say goodbye to the Lippens Family, then make my way to Munich for the semifinal match between the "Frogs" and Portugal who had pulled off a contentious victory over Holland in the round of 16 and followed that with a controversial win in pk's over England (sorry Rob, you will have to wait another four years) in the quarters. When I arrived at the Lippens' Ranch I found Martin had come from the U.S. to visit his parents with his newlywed. Before I left I took this photo with Martin's Dad the famous Willi in the middle sandwiched in the middle of Martin and me. Thank you again Willi, Monica, Micky (Martin's Brother) George the Dog, and Martin for providing me a home base while I was in Germany. 
So on July 4th (happy birthday USA) I got on the train and headed to Munich for my semifinal match. If you didn't know the Frogs are the French or better knows as "Le Blue". Even though they stole our club's name I would have to support Portugal vs France...you know the David vs Goliath thing again. Upon arriving in Munich one immediately gets a different feeling from that of other cities in Germany, the people explain it away by telling you it is because Munich is in the province of Bavaria. Others will tell you it is different because it is so far south there is a huge Italian influence. Whatever the reason the people seem to be much more open and relaxed. Often times in the north I found myself being ignored when asking a question in English or that could just have been 
that they knew who I was:) Well in Bavaria I generally found people volunteering to assist me, a lot more smiles on the street and more of a party atmosphere. The first night I got there was a big night for Germany, they were in the semifinal after defeating Argentina in pks but would now be taking on Italy who seemed to be coming into top form. Secretly preferring Italy...you know PUMA and all, not to mention that if Italy won Americans could say they had tied the world champs, it was impossible to watch the game at any of the local German pubs. Instead I went to an Italian restaurant close to where I was staying. A couple of woman invited me to sit with them while we watched the game and spoke of the world...service at this place was not that great...all the waiters and cooks were Italian and they were zeroed in on the game. It was a long and stressful match to say the least through regulation then two overtimes with both teams having chances...obviously with the tension in the game the first team to score would probably win. Well as we were all preparing to go to penalty kicks the Italians scored their goal, then countered and scored another and it was all over...Germany was silent and the Italians in Munich held a wild celebration.
Well I got on the train in Munich and headed to Berlin. It just so happened, and I don't know why but my seat reservation for this particular trip was mistakenly placed in a smoking cabin. I thought I could take the smoke but when everyone began to light up I began to get sick so I decided to get up to get some fresh air...after all this would be about a five hour train ride. I wanted to find another seat in a non smoking section of the train but many of the seats were already taken. By some chance a young girl about 12 years old could see I was searching for a seat and she found me out to tell me that there was an open seat by her and her grandmother. I was surprised with how well she spoke English so we began a conversation. She explained that even though she was German she went to an American school and that was why she spoke English so well. She inquired what I was doing in Germany and I told her I was there for the cup. We began talking about soccer of course I was recruiting her for the Blues and she asked who my favorite team was...I told her that although I pulled for the U.S. a big part of my heart sided with 
Brazil because I favored their style of play. We talked about the final and I explained that although I wanted to go, there was no way on this earth I could find an affordable ticket. Well behind where we were and out of our vision and knowledge there was a couple listening in on our entire conversation when a man popped his head out and said "so you like Brazilian soccer, would you like to buy our tickets to the finals"?
I was not sure I heard him right and even if I did there was no way he would
really sell me his tickets. I told him I would die to buy the tickets if
I could just afford what he wanted for them. He explained that he and his
wife were from Brazil and they were planning on attending the finals until
Brazil had been eliminated. They were so disgusted with the play of Brazil
that they were going home immediately and that I could buy the tickets for
what they paid for them. I looked at the tickets and they were 215 € each so I swallowed hard and still not believing this would happen I reached into my wallet and pulled out six one hundred dollar bills. I handed him the money and he gave me the tickets simple as that. I explained how much this would mean to me and that I would be indebted to him for the rest of my life, I almost began to cry but that would have been un american so I just sniffled. He could see it meant a lot to me and I think it made he and his wife happy to know they had sold the tickets to someone who would appreciate them so. Well that is it...like I said it sounds simple but from my perspective it was an incredible miracle. YES, I was going to the finals. Thank you who ever screwed up and put me in that smoking wagon, thank you little girl for being so kind and thanks to my new Brazilian friends...when you guys make it to California you have a home.
To
make a long story even longer still, I called one of my friends back home
in the states to tell them what had happened they just told me I must be
living right; I had to agree. How else could I explain what had happened
after all I had been through in my search to get to the final? I got to Berlin
with a day to spare prior to the final and walked the streets with a smile
on my face, with the knowledge I would be one of the lucky few to attend
the biggest game in the world watched by over a billion people worldwide.
The day of the game I set out early for the Olympic Stadium the place where
American sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals here during the 1936 Olympic
Games. I still was not all together confident I would be given entrance to
the game, maybe something would go wrong, maybe the ticket was not legit?
I absorbed the atmosphere on the streets for a while speaking with people
from all over the world. I bought some food to take to the stadium grounds
and set out on the train. When I arrived I met a friend from my Santa Monica
days, Juan Engelsen (right) who owns a soccer store called Offside...smallworld.
Then I went inside the stadium complex and mingled with the peoples of the
world before going into the game. As you know by now Italy won the championship
on PK's and of course there was the Zidane controversy. Needless to say it
was an experience of a lifetime. Below are some photos of my 2006 World Cup
Final experience. 
