|
|
|
|
Gothia Cup, the world's biggest sports tournament bar none, has just started here in town, it is now the thirtieth time, and it's bigger than ever!
This year we have 1525 teams from 61 countries competing, I haven't found an exact figure of the number of competitors, but extrapolating from last year's figures of almost 1400 teams and just over 29,000 competitors, it might be as many as 32,000 teenagers invading our beautiful (though lately rather rainy) city, along with some 20,000 parents and leaders! In the early 90s, the same figure was about 2000 parents...
91 football pitches will be used to play 4320 matches, with a projected 21,600 goals!
Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes is the most popular dish on the menu. When it's served, around 205,000 meatballs are needed to feed all those hungry stomachs.
I did a small tour of the city on foot today, and luckily it did NOT rain today! It was warm and sunny, and the football hotties were out in force. Damn, they are ALL cute, every single one of them. 
The city's alive right now, parents and participants filling our parade street the Avenue, many of them well-tanned by the sun or by birth, giving us pale swedes sights to feast our eyes upon no matter which way we turn.
Three teams have been here every single tournament. They're all Swedish so you won't know them. Well, neither do I for that matter, heh heh! 
Hopefully it will stay sunny at least most of the time. Last year the weather was fabulous, but I hope with a great first day everybody will forgive us if it rains some during the rest of the tournament and be back again next year.
Take care everyone!
Hugs:
-L
"But he that hath the steerage of my course,
direct my sail."
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act One, Scene IV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
marc
|
 |
Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
|
|
|
Does it happen in your city every summer?
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002, some of the US teams stayed home fearing terrorist hijackings so the tournament was slightly smaller that year, but they're back now I should think. It's one of the big events of the year, it's hard to miss whenever it's taking place. Pretty much impossible to get a seat at most restaurants, and the only thing that compares was the track and field world championships the city hosted in 95. Then it was even MORE crowded because most of those who arrived were adults and tended to stay out longer. 
"But he that hath the steerage of my course,
direct my sail."
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act One, Scene IV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Message Body
"more tongue and groove than a hardwood floor"
|
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
|
] 
A Place of Safety
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
Footsie-footsie-footsie! 
Yup, mid-july every year... 
