Our Best World Cup Moments

The Cape Town World Cup experience was ‘Mad, wonderful, and wonderfully mad at the same time’

Like Christmas, twelve months of anticipation culminated in a month long celebration that came to an end all too soon. Feel it… It is over. Cape Town has plunged into nostalgia and we still expect to have a vuvuzela blown in our ear at any moment. From the 12:00 vuvuzela moment ahead of the Kick-Off Concert when our Cape Town Magazine Flag cascaded from the rooftops, to the final whistle, we’ve all gone soccer crazy, whether we liked it or not. As we reflect on the highs and lows, the stadium, the Fan Walk, the vuvuzela's and the throngs of fans, we can all bring unique experiences to the table. But one thing we all agree on is that South Africa hosted the World Cup really well.

Marcus Zandhuis, Managing Director: “During the World Cup, we’ve had over 500 000 readers, who have enjoyed CapeTownMagazine.com and its German and Dutch equivalents. We welcomed readers and I’m proud of our team of twelve that worked so hard to do so. I watched most of the games at Cape Town Stadium. I celebrated with friends from all over the world including; Nigerians, Germans and my South African Girlfriend. We watched the games at a variety of Cape Town venues such as, Rafiki’s, Karma, Hemisphere, Tommy’s Bar, Fork, Kink, Boo Radley's, the Fan Walk, the Fan Fest and even in 3D at the Waterfront. But, that Octopus…”

Lourens de Groot, Business Development Manager: “I’ve witnessed every stage of the holy World Cup; from the final draw on Long Street, where 50 000 people celebrated to make it the best party ever, to the dramatic final (which happened to be on my girlfriend’s birthday). I am pretty damn lucky to have witnessed the Dutch team go home with silver. It gives us something to wish for. I also want to thank the gifted and beautiful team at CapeTownMagazine.com. Let’s go for gold, ban the vuvuzela and sing hallelujah!”

Jess Henson, Writer: “My World Cup was the train ride. Tipsy; or downright drunk, Metrorail, for once, didn’t have to apologize, because the inconvenience was a cause for celebration. Carriages packed to exploding got us to the match on time, as we burst into song. All kinds and all colours were accompanied by the real World Cup mascot, that weapon of mass instruction, the vuvuzela. As for that underdone calamari psychic who shot to fame… Jou ma se octopus, Paul. I didn’t mind who won – I was, after all, sporting a ‘Spanish’ flag on my windscreen, which I later found out was the Dutch flag…”

Tamryn Tinline, Online Manager: “The sound that erupted across South Africa when Bafana scored the first goal of the World Cup. People that would normally pass each other by stood arm in arm, draped in the South African flag. For one single moment in time, all eyes were on one screen, regardless of age, race, creed or sex.”

Amanda Agulhas, Office Manager: “I’m not much of a fan and have no idea what all the hype is about. What stood out was when Alex (an English fan) and Willem (a Dutch fan) arrived at my house for the England vs. USA game, each wearing large flags. They covered up my husband’s Manchester United flags with theirs and proceeded to watch the game (whilst the girls had a pamper party…). Understandably, Alex was devastated at England’s result and proceeded to bash the pool balls as though they were English players heads, kicked the crap out of the foosball soccer ball and ate copious amounts of pecan nut pie to console himself. He went home with his flag ‘between his legs’.”

Elske van der Velden, Dutch Intern: “My brother and two aunts visited me for Cameroon vs. Netherlands, in Cape Town. Yes, my first experience in an actual stadium was amazing, but what about partying with famous Dutch Band, the Dikdakkers, in the Dubliner? Hans Voogd, the lead singer, promised me he’d be my best friend until we die. Of course, I sincerely believe this. Bizarrely, his friend asked me: “What brand of toothpaste do you use?” Besides the people who thought I should brush my teeth more often, I only met really nice folk during the World Cup.”

Lize de Kock, Editor: “Germany vs. Argentina! I was hanging out with a group of German fans at The Grand Beach ahead of the game, having drinks and watching the ocean sparkle in anticipation. Later, at the Cape Town Stadium, the vibrant Argentina crowd became more and more quiet, whilst the usually subdued Germans couldn’t contain their excitement as they scored goal after goal. German football songs rang at the stadium long after winning the game 4-0. Bravo Deutschland!”

Lisa Nevitt, Intern: “The worst thing about the World Cup was the fact that the Fan Fest was selling bottles of coke without a lid, on a hot day. What was that all about? Pretty soon, an unwelcome crowd of wasps had gate crashed Holland vs. Brazil and were attacking me and my boyfriend from all angles. After hysterical screaming and running around we had moved a few meters, certain that we had outsmarted the critters. Suddenly my boyfriend started gagging and a wasp, which had flown in for a look at his tonsils, shot out of his mouth. ‘Unfortunately’, he spat on some Brazilian fans in the process, so the worst thing turned out to be the best thing...”

Inge Abraham, Dutch Editor: “Without a doubt, my favourite moment was the celebration of the Dutch victory over Brazil at the Fan Fest, Cape Town, on a sunny day. Nobody thought we would win. We not only won, but we did so convincingly. Orange took over Cape Town and a bunch of about 400 Dutch lunatics were dancing, singing and cheering at the Fan Park. It was mad, wonderful, and wonderfully mad at the same time.”

Susanne Klatt, German Intern: “The best moment? That’s an easy one: I met revered football star Jurgen Klinsmann for an interview. Klinsmann has played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team who won the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He has been described as Diego Maradona’s nemesis and has added his handprints to the Mandela Legacy Canvas. I went to the semi-final at Cape Town Stadium: Germany vs. Argentina. We came, we saw, we kicked their asses!”

Antonia Heil, German Editor: “I’m not the biggest soccer fan, but I could still feel a positive vibe and that it unified South Africa. When I visited a store a shopkeeper asked: ‘Who’s going to win tonight?’ – I didn’t find what I was looking for, but we ended up chatting for a good twenty minutes. My highlight of the World Cup was being at Cape Town Stadium for Holland vs. Cameroon and the Fan Walk was full of dancing people from all social backgrounds. I’d like to remember the guy selling boxer shorts emblazoned with: “Feel it, it is here” and people carrying their vuvuzela's to work.”

Ayesha Yon, Assistant Online Manager: “I must admit that I’ve never actually watched a soccer match from start to finish! I support Portugal. Have you seen how hot they are? I couldn’t help but get caught up in the hype – so much so that I even tried convincing my husband to give it a try. My country was standing side by side and the atmosphere was amazing. I still prefer rugby though…”

John Scharges, Intern: “Mzoli’s; watching Germany thrash Argentina 4-0. With sticky fingers from too much braai, I stood shoulder to shoulder with new Xhosa friends, vuvuzela’s blew ear-achingly loud and the whole of Gugulethu erupted with such ferocity. My best friend (whose birthday it was) cried into his beer because he’d just lost a R500 bet with me.”


For a recap of the past months events, check out our World Cup Section