Ghana Soccer

A good view of what is happening.

Being scared with Paddy.

Me with the Abomosu interns.

Alright, there are obviously a plethera of stories to go along with the weekend, where these pictures are all coming from, but alas! Only so much time to tell them! Haha. Yes, there are some stories, but mostly its just explaining what things are.

(Sidenote : I was just distracted from my writing by a charliehorse that decided to land upon my leg, causing discomfort.( After reacting, Emmanuel looked at me questioningly. I told him I had a charliehorse -- and he knew what it was!! Go for people who know English here.. they even know the word charliehorse! .... after considering the impressiveness of Emmanuel knowing the word "charliehorse" especially considering that I'm supposed to be helping him learn English.. I asked Ivy if she knew what it was. She won't believe me that the word is even English! and has apparently never heard it before.

Before I even get to the tales of the weekend, I must, absolutely MUST comment on the World Cup!! Ghana and the United States are both moving on to the next round!!!! Both did it with a lot of work, and a bit of luck. I have no idea how soccer-y my readers are, but I should give a short description here of how things are done. (Mind you, 99% of what I have learned about soccer has been in the past 2 weeks. Previous to arriving in Ghana I have watched a few soccer games with city leagues, and only one professional game. EVER.)

The World Cup begins with a few games that don't count toward anything in particular, and are called 'friendlys'. Then you begin the first round of tournaments, there are several brackets of teams, each made up of 4 countries. These 4 countries all play each other - resulting in 3 games for each team. Based on the results of the game, points are given. A win is 3 points, tie is 1 point for both teams, and a loss is 0 points. At the end of the 4 games, each team totals these points, and the highest two scores pass on to the next round. If there is a tie, it is broken by whomever has the most goals scored in the series. Ghana won their first game against Serbia, and Germany schooled Australia. (3 points Germany and Ghana.) Germany was certainly looking the strongest, and the Auzzies looking like pansies.

Second round of games was Ghana vs. the Auzzies, and Serbia vs. Germany. Anticipated results : Germany wins, Ghana wins. Actual results : Ghana and Auzzies tie, Serbia wins. Scores : Ghana 4, Serbia 3, Germany 3, Australia 1. Not too pretty, because Ghana's last game is against Germany! The hardest team.

Final games : Ghana vs. Germany, and Serbia vs. Australia. Serbia is automatically assumed to win Australia, putting them to 6 points, and definitely going on. That leaves Ghana and Germany to compete for the second position. Germany requires a win, Ghana can move ahead with a tie or a win. Ghana... did not start off well. Like 3 corner kicks for Germany in the first 15 minutes. Bad, very very bad sign. It takes quite awhile before a score, but Germany scores first. Ghana never pulls out a goal. Ghana is losing with 20 minutes left of the match, and they keep throwing away the ball to top it off. But, a happy announcement comes from the TV. Serbia is losing... Australia is winning!! 2-0 for Australia with 20 minutes left! The Auzzies could save Ghana!

Turns out, this is precisely what happens. The Australians prove themselves after a horrible start, surprising everyone. With an Australian win, and Ghana's loss to a much more impressive Germany... the scores total the following : Germany 6. Ghana 4. Australia 4. Serbia 3. The tie breaker of goals scored goes to Ghana - and we make it through!!! One would hardly have known that Ghana lost their match for the excitement caused by Australia winning their match. Elizabeth came in yelling from the other room when the radio officially announced that Ghana would be moving on to the next round. She then proceeded to dance around the room chanting about Ghana moving on! There was a lot of excitement around the house!

What can add to this excitement you ask? Why, the USA of course. The US, after facing somewhat similar circumstances, finds themselves moving forward too!! Ghana and the US, as well as the other winners from our brackets - Germany and Britain - will be playing each other this weekend! US vs. Ghana. From where Josh and I sit.... we've already won the match this weekend. We have to support the US, they're our country! and we have to support Ghana - that's where we're living! If the USA wins... we will be very very happy. If Ghana wins... we might even be just a little bit more happy. (Reasoning: Ghana is the only African country left! We're in Ghana - if they win... we get to enjoy the festivities! Finally, the rest of the games just won't be as much fun when Ghana isn't in!)

Ghana is the only African country that has moved ahead, pushing it to center stage for the entire continent, and the Ghanaians are very excited about it. The radio today was even talking about the game last night in a very positive way. "They acted like a unit" and all kinds of positive remarks, despite the point that they lost the game! Yes, excitement for moving ahead, but its funny to see it permeate the discussion of the game itself. If Australia had lost the game the way everyone was expecting... the radio would have been filled with how poorly the Ghana offense played last night. The Australia vs. Serbia game is actually playing today! Haha, I suppose Ghana wanted to watch the game that got them into the next round. Anyhow, Josh and I are in the great position of winning no matter who wins or loses this weekend, and having a team to support in the round after that. (The coming round is single elimination.. so one or the other will be going home.)

Well, half time has past, and its time for me to go! So, enjoy the pictures of Cape Coast and I'll have to write about it later :)