Day 32 of the Walk to the World Cup – JUNE 10th

England v Paraguay

The day of England 's first match and my first lie-in, until 8.30, for over one month. Another perfect blue sky and it was already getting warm when we left the apartment around 10. First stop was the internet café in Hoechst. A Marketing Manager from Avaya emailed to ask if I would like 2 tickets to a game in either the round of 16 or the semi-finals – difficult decision.

Sandra had bought the tickets for the train today and it was full of football fans and Germans wondering what was going on, as we made the 10 minute journey. The Romer Platz was heaving when we arrived at 11.00 and after 45 minutes we had sold the rest of the England flags and wrist bands. Dan was down by the Main queuing to get into the Main Arena and he rang around 12 to say that they had been let in. After various photos and more interviews with random journalists, we walked down to the river and were in the seating area before 1 p.m.

A superb setting, right by the wide river, with 2 huge screens moored in the centre of the flow, one facing north (the larger where we were) and another facing south. 15,000 almost all England fans were in the larger arena by 1.30 and they closed the arena. There was a third smaller arena further to the east. The atmosphere was great, everyone looking forward to the game, huge queues for the beer and food stalls, music stages and photographers and camera crews everywhere. We met up with Dan and he and I did a couple of laps just generally asking people for donations and raised another 500 Euros.

By the time of the game, it was baking hot and many people were starting to wilt a little – not just from the alcohol. We had taken 8 bottles of Oasis drink and with hats and shirts to cover our heads were not too bad. After a brilliant start and the early goal created by Becks, the game fizzled out a bit and the atmosphere in the second half became anxious with huge relief at the end. A disappointing performance but it was the result that mattered.

Dan and his mates were staying on to watch the Sweden - Trinidad and Argentina – Ivory Coast games and had seats in the shade. The arena was ¾ empty when we left and made our way back up to the Platz. It was full with chanting England fans but we met up with Rosella and 3 of her friends from the Gymnasium and found a table and had an ice-cream and coffee with them. A little later, Tris arrived back from the Arena and I talked with him about the match. He was waiting for Will who had gone to the stadium and apparently walked into a champagne reception with German models giving out the drinks – it helps to work for a big company like UBS.

Ursula Shoelstke from the Gymnasium rang to invite us for a drink and meal so we decided to come out of the city centre and met them at a very relaxed and comfortable Greek restaurant where we were joined by our hosts from Hoechst. We sat outside, the evening was warm (summer really has arrived) and we had a good meal with pleasant company.

We were both shattered having been outside all day and back at the flat by midnight.