It's South Africa or bust!

It is hard to believe that it is nearly 4 years ago that Australia competed in only it's 2nd ever Fifa World Cup. Not since 1974 had the Socceroos achieved such heights at the international level. The qualification for 2006 by the Socceroos was not only seen as a significant moment for the national team themselves, but a moment that would change the landscape of our great game in this country forever. The Fifa 2006 World Cup unified Australia's sporting landscape, and it was a moment to savour when even the most die hard Rugby, League and AFL supporters stood together as one to support, what was seen to be, the poor second cousin of the codes in Australia.

To attend a World Cup for football is for most of us but a dream, however along with the qualification of the Socceroos came the ability to not only fulfil that dream of witnessing the biggest sporting stage on earth, but also to see our own national team take to that stage. For yours truly, I was persuaded by a friend to enter a ballot together for the trip of a life time. The Socceroos....at a World Cup....with your best mate....in Europe....what more could you want? Limited places and some 200,000 applicants certainly didn't instill confidence that it may eventuate. The fact that the friend had decided the night before not to enter was also not ideal.....(something about a baby being due?) but the mind was set to take the plunge. The decision to enter the ballot was a good one and when the email arrived to advise me of the success, I was like a kid in a candy store.

I must admit that my expectations for a football World Cup were more than exceeded, and it was nothing less than awesome to experience the event. Germany 2006 will be a month to savour forever. It's not like you get to ride on a train named "The Frank Arok Express" through Europe with 3000 Australian football fans on board to see the Socceroos vs Japan every day (especially a train with a bar and disco carriage!). It will be a geat story to tell the grand kids that I saw the first ever goal scored by an Australian at a World Cup, and witnessed the first ever victory by Australia at a World Cup. The thrill of that first game in Kaiserslauten was something I will never in my lifetime forget, and being honest the depression that millions of supporters nearly suffered was well worth it for those final 8 to 10 minutes of the game.

What you don't see at home from your arm chair, is the atmosphere within the towns and the relationships that are forged within the duration of the event. The rumour of conflict between supporters was far from one's mind, as opposing supporters exchange song over a stine or two of the local lagers and brews. Story telling continues through to the early hours of the morning, win or lose, the camaraderie is that of up most respect and you start to appreciate how much people love the game of football and how the differing cultures are bought together by the one common passion.

It is more than humbling to hear the great yarns of some...uni students busking across Europe to make their way to Munich to be just a part of the live sites....junior sporting teams working for 4 years just to make a field trip to the town that is hosting the World Cup....or Brian from Trinidad and Tobago who managed to convince his fiance to sell the house so they could see their national team play in Germany. Luckily for Brian, they had enough money left over to get married, and they have managed to regain their financial status and are now living in Baltimore in the U.S.! I'll also never forget the 30 young Scots that arrived on mass to a pub in Munich on a bucks weekend. The disappointment of Scotland not qualifying, was it seemed long forgotten, as they paraded for two days throughout Munich with Kilt on waste, stine in hand and their newly adopted country of choice......Brazilian jersey's on back! Try picturing a man in a Kilt doing the samba!

It is almost cliche for a traveller to say they get the bug...but believe me, those that experienced the carnival in 2006 would have been left wanting more. The gathering of the Green and Gold on mass in another continent, is a must for any sports lover. The football supporter for mine is greater than no other...the uniforms...the colour and the songs at one in verse will send a chill down your spine. It all adds to a wonderful experience, and that is why I required no further convincing that a trip across the water to Africa was essential.

It's 2010, Durban is the destination....Kingsmead cricket stadium is the accommodation of choice. Live sites, Powderfinger and a beverage or two to wet the whistle. I for one can't wait to witness the African cultures and lifestyle first hand with my fellow aussies at large.....a football experience like no other!

Bring it on!