[madameshawshank]

while I realise this is mostly food food food....may I announce...

The Socceroos...our dearly loved national soccer team made its way into the World Cup finals last night..

nailbiting finish...

have I ever ever screamed as much as at that moment...have I ever seen such happy happy joyous faces....

and such a team...reflective of the wondrous mix of our Australian makeup: "In a multicultural nation in a fractured world, the Socceroos can bring together the sum of their parts: Muslim, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican. German, Lebanese, Polynesian, Croatian, Italian, Melanesian, Greek. It is a rich tapestry but last night they - and we - were one thing only. Australian."

just in case you'd like to read a little more...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/super-schwarzer-saves-the-day/2005/11/16/1132016866027.html

many in Sydney today are unable to speak....voices gone....for the moment!

golly soccer players are fit!
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

[Erin]

The Great Bambino would be proud. Cheers to you and your team!
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[Sarape]

I never followed soccer though I know most of the world outside of the United States consider it the number-one sport. I'm impressed by the ardent fans and players considering that this is only a qualifying match. Here in the U.S., I don't know if we even qualified or if we are in the process of competing for the World Cup. That's the level of the sport in this country.
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' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'

[swan]

Hey, let's not forget where their coach comes from......

(said the dutchie who isn't into soccer except at worldcups..)

[Monica]

Madame, that's great!! (Ahem, and yes, just look at those strong legs... )

Yes the US is one of the teams that qualified for 2006. I've been lucky to go to Cup games in Mexico, the US and France. My family went to Japan, but I couldn't make it. We're hoping to be in Germany next year. That 1986 Final in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium... I cried when Argentina beat Germany. And I still fume when I think of Diego Maradona's so-called hand of god foul ball, I mean 'goal' against England...

But I'm sort of with swan, I'm a bigger fan at Cup season than during the off years. It's the only sport I'll watch without whining.

[Erin]

I am a soccer fan but have no team, well that's not true my brother-in-law's team is my team. He also coaches 8yr old girls. I do watch soccer pretty frequently, but I am a bad fan.
In the U.S. the sport is gaining popularity but more on the women's side than the men's. Thank you Mia Hamm!
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[David]

Mia Hamm----who did as much for the sports bra as she did for soccer
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Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!