june-2010

WORLD CUP
South Africa v Mexico
11 June, Manchester
The poor old South Africans have had it in the
neck ever since winning the right to stage the
2010 World Cup, but 11 June is the day when,
after 80 years, football’s big celebration arrives in
Africa. It’s Friday afternoon and the fi rst match
of the tournament – will there be an offi ce open
anywhere in Europe? Watch the hosts (the lowest
FIFA-ranked side in the tournament) in the fi rst
ever Revolution (90-94 Oxford Road, Manchester.
0161 236 7470, www.revolution-bars.co.uk). With
its swish bar and comfy seats, this smart vodka
venue, opened in 1996, beats standing up in the
Dog & Duck any day. Pre-book your World Cup
burger and drinks on 0800 6300 800.
Post-Match Celebration Cry: Nkosi sikileli’
iAfrica!/God bless Africa!
Post-Match Celebration Drink: Springbok
(half Baileys or Amarula cream combined with
half crème de menthe)
Uruguay v France
11 June, Paris
No one will be heading home early after the
opening game, especially on a Friday night, so
continue to soak up the atmosphere as the fl air
of the French takes on the rugged Uruguayans.
Watch outside on the big screen with the locals in
the beautiful surroundings of Place de l’Hôtel de
Ville (City Hall Square, 29 rue de Rivoli, 75004
Paris). Situated near the Seine and surrounded by
fi ne architecture, the square used to hold public
executions, including that of Jacques Clément,
the assassin of the French king Henry III, in 1589.
Post-Match Celebration Cry: Est-ce que Thierry
Henry à utilise son pied maintenant?/Did Thierry
Henry use his foot this time?
Post-Match Celebration Drink: Pastis
England v USA
12 June, Paphos
Every four years England wait in hope of World
Cup glory. Every four years they are disappointed.
The disappointment might as well come in the sun
at Aces (Ayias Anastasias, Kato Paphos. 00 357
269 36400, www.acesbarpaphos.com), a popular
bar with English football fans. If there’s one game
the Three Lions could lose in their weak group
32JetAway
Every four years England waits
in hope, only to be disappointed
it’s this one, so make sure you get into the muchcoveted
position where you can see the game but
still sit in the sun (the holy grail is to have some
shade on the head, lots of sun on the rest of the
body but no glare on the screen).
Post-Match Celebration Cry: Rooney!
Post-Match Celebration Drink: Anything
Italy v New Zealand
20 June, Rome
The highest score in a World Cup match is 9-0
(Yugoslavia v Zaire, 1974). Can Italy go one better
against the massively outclassed New Zealanders?
Flann O’Brien (Via Nazionale 17, 00184 Rome.
00 39 06 488 0418, www.fl annobrien.it) is
a popular Irish bar for fans of English and