Bloggin off

Oh SugarHoneyIceTea! That's not how it was supposed to work out.
take a breath..OK, I'm good now.

Japan wins the World Cup.

Congratulations to Japan, they needed that.  After the devastation of earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, this was a great healing balm to a nation in need.
In one of the most dramatic games in World Cup history, Japan flipped the US story on end to win in it's first ever WWC Title. An early 2nd half strike by sub Alex Morgan, put the US up 1-0.    With 10 minutes left in regulation, a Commerzebank Arena crowd of 48,817 witnessed a US defensive blunder that tied the game. In Extra Time,  It appeared that Abby Wambach had become immortal with another header goal to bring the US to the brink of championship, her 4th goal in 4 games. But, that was all a bit premature.  Japan countered with  the power of Godzilla. Off a corner kick, Homare Sawa struck a glancing shot that actually deflected off Abby's arm on it's way past goalkeeper hope Solo. In PKs, the US folded. Japan pounced, not like Tigger, more like a crouching tiger.
Amy says, "that was Gigunda"! which, according to the Webster's, translates to Extremely, freakin LARGE.

It is Japans first ever win over the US and the first World Cup for an Asian nation.

The scene in the ESPN production truck was a roller coaster of emotion.  Pre game-nervous anticipation. First half-intense focus. Morgan goal- sheer excitement. US blunder-utter confusion. Abby goal-unparalleled joy. Sawa goal-absolute shock. Penalty kicks-extreme silence. oh Scheiße!

The last tidbit I have to share is share is how truly international Frankfurt is.  Within a 6 block radius, I walk past numerous restaurants:  Indian, Italian, German, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and one simply called Asian Food.  Local watering holes include: The Fox & Hound British Pub, an Egyptian bar, an Aussie bar and the place where everyone knows our crew's name, O'Reiley's Irish Pub.  Airline offices nearby: Singapore Air, Turkish Airlines. TAM Airlines, SAS Scandanavian, China Air, Tunisia Air and, of course, Lufthansa. A block off the tourista scene of Kaiserstraße is a Third World vibe of small, open air markets, ethnic hair salons and too many stores that sell a myriad of that all that cheep plastic crap from China.  This street is a circus of smells, each aroma telling it's own story.  I could spend an entire month here in Frankville. oh wait, I just did.


 

IPSWICHTOWN Stat-of-the-Day
Sawa is the second player to win the WWC title, Golden Boot (Top Scorer) and Golden Ball (MVP) in the same WWC (also Birgit Prinz in 2003)

This has been the IPTNStatOday, sponsored by the color Orange, the best color of shirt to wipe a messy mouth.

That's all I have for now, I'm spent.  Tomorrow, Shelby and I embark on an ad-lib adventure.

Until next time, Tschüss, meined fruenden.