C´mon...I know Vuvuzela means a lot for South Africans but notice from where are the people defending vuvuzelas here...only people from South Africa...
I know that complaining will not solve the "problem" but it´s a bloody fact...it´s annoying...I think that, my mates in Portugal think that, and looks like people from all over the world here in SSC think that...don´t take us badly...it´s just opinions...

A lot of countries have an instrument as a cultural thingy but they don´t take it to the stadiums :lol: And believe me...mute button and iPod are being a great help during this WC :)

The vuvuzela isn't a cultural instrument, it's a soccer cultural instrument.

It's logical that South Africans are going to be defending it considering we're about the only ones that have experience with it. Furthermore, the minority are usually the most vocal when it comes to complaining anyway.

C´mon...I know Vuvuzela means a lot for South Africans but notice from where are the people defending vuvuzelas here...only people from South Africa...
I know that complaining will not solve the "problem" but it´s a bloody fact...it´s annoying...I think that, my mates in Portugal think that, and looks like people from all over the world here in SSC think that...don´t take us badly...it´s just opinions...

A lot of countries have an instrument as a cultural thingy but they don´t take it to the stadiums :lol: And believe me...mute button and iPod are being a great help during this WC :)

It's generally the South Africans defending them because they are generally the people who have actually experienced the Vuvuzelas in person at a match.

Have you? Like most guys who complain, I bet you have not. I used to hate them as much as everyone else until I went to a local match and I completely loved them after. Even bought a couple which I thought i'd never do in my life.

Besides, they help Bafana Bafana so i'm happy about that :lol:

So, don't complain about them if you have never experienced them. The mute button is always on your remote. Also please respect our soccer culture, Vuvuzelas are something different (that we enjoy) to the usual singing and stuff at European Games. This is Africa, not Europe

What's Soccer? :P

It's quite surprising how people say its only South Africans defending the vuvuzelas but then you see loads of tourists here from Europe and the US blowing their vuvuzelas away. The only people who complain about it are the ones who aren't here and don't know what a vibe it creates.

I despised the instrument myself and swore to never blow one or support it in away. But, as Rosaudio, I then went to a game and the vuvuzela definitely won me over. You seriously cannot be down or bored when these things are blowing away. Believe it or not it actually creates a jovial atmosphere that unfortunately you can't pick on TV.

I do admit that FIFA should have done more to tone their noise down on TV though, but how can you do that without taking away the noise from the pitch?

What's Soccer? :P

Interesting that, being a Brit, you don't realise the word originated in England!
It's merely an abbreviation of "Association Football." (Association -> Assoc-> Soccer). So Soccer is Football and Football is Soccer! :lol:

Hilaaaaarious. Feel free to blame South Africans and vuvuzelas but every tourist with a kid has one. Its everybody NOT just South Africans.

Feel free to blame South Africans and vuvuzelas but every tourist with a kid has one. Its everybody NOT just South Africans.

Of course, I blame the contagion toward European fans :bash: !!!

BUT, more seriously: several TV networks asked to FIFA to ban those damn things (Including TF1 the largest European TV group, owner of Eurosport for example, and also the Dutch TV etc etc)..
All That because of the HUGE amount of complaints they received about this annoying noise !!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: I know about tourists/foreign supporters as vuvuzela-fans, BUT I still have a reason to blame South Africa 2010: EMPTY SEATS/STADIUMS !!!! imho, It's a shame, I'm so disappointed :( !!!!

Interesting that, being a Brit, you don't realise the word originated in England!
It's merely an abbreviation of "Association Football." (Association -> Assoc-> Soccer). So Soccer is Football and Football is Soccer! :lol:

It was a joke... If you want to see the context of it further then feel free to trawl through the 'Soccer Stadiums of the USA' thread.

Hilaaaaarious. Feel free to blame South Africans and vuvuzelas but every tourist with a kid has one. Its everybody NOT just South Africans.

I can't speak for everyone else, but trust me if proper England fans were the culprits I'd be moaning just as much about them!

Opening ceremony:

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Hilaaaaarious. Feel free to blame South Africans and vuvuzelas but every tourist with a kid has one. Its everybody NOT just South Africans.

I know...if I was there I´d buy one too. I wouldn´t blow it once but it´s one of the best regards to bring from this World Cup.

And that kids theory is true...and here answering to @Rosaudio too YES I experienced it because a portuguese petrol company had the idea of selling vuvuzelas...so yes I experienced it...I know what I´m talking about and the idea of my two little sisters taking a couple of vuvuzelas to this house is driving me crazy! :nuts:

PS: I know about tourists/foreign supporters as vuvuzela-fans, BUT I still have a reason to blame South Africa 2010: EMPTY SEATS/STADIUMS !!!! imho, It's a shame, I'm so disappointed :( !!!!
- Really??? every world cup game hosted in other countries had no empty seats?

-Do you still remember something called RECESSION?

- Many South Africans gave up on buying tickets because of consistently crashing FIFA ticketing system.

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I get goosebumps every time I look at these pics. this was really a proudly South African moment...

- Really??? every world cup game hosted in other countries had no empty seats?

In 2002 we had even more empty seats than in South Africa.In 2006 (Germany) the attedance was nearly 100%.

My conclusion is that every World Cup should be hosted by an european country:-).

^^ :yes:


(The same during France '98: Attendance 100%)

In 2002 we had even more empty seats than in South Africa.In 2006 (Germany) the attedance was nearly 100%.

My conclusion is that every World Cup should be hosted by an european country:-).

You mean the FIFA WORLD Cup?

In your opinion, and I mean you not idiots who will reason as if they talking through their backholes, what could be the reason for some empty seats?

anyway in soccer city attendence is above 83,000+ in both games. stop moaning

^^ And average attendance is over 54000. More than in 2006...`

n your opinion, and I mean you not idiots who will reason as if they talking through their backholes, what could be the reason for some empty seats?

I did not say that empty seats are your (South African people) fault.

Flight ticket to your country is too expensive for many European people.In Europe we have enough immigrants from all the continents to fill stadiums.Even in South Africa you have many Dutch people but not many Japanese, Brazilian or Australian people.

After 9 matches the average crowd attendence stands at 54413. This should increase to about 60000 once all the small venues are out of the way and the second round matches gets going, becoming the second most attended World Cup after the USA 1994.

^^Without Soccer City it would be much lower

In 2002 we had even more empty seats than in South Africa.In 2006 (Germany) the attedance was nearly 100%.

My conclusion is that every World Cup should be hosted by an european country:-).

Considering how far away Japan and Korea are for most countries, it;s not a surprise. But in watching the matches back in 2002, there were not too many instances of large amounts of empty seats at each match.

^^Without Soccer City it would be much lower

and without one of the smaller venues the attendance would already be over the 60 000 mark. The USA only used 9 stadiums for their record of 68 000 average attendance.

^^Without Soccer City it would be much lower

Match attendance is what it is. FIFA failing at hospitality tickets, fewer foreign tourists etc.

What people do NOT understand is that given the the amount of South Africans that can actually afford tickets, the way in which people have embraced ticket sales is astonishing.

According to the local news, only 250 tickets went unsold for the match at Port Elizabeth, at over 8000 didn't show up. They're investigating local tour operators. So it's not an issue of people not wanting to go to the matches.

Amazing stadium :)

What will happen after the WC? It it a national stadium or what?
I can't imagine that the attendance in the SA competition is 90,000 every match

Totally agree!! I consider watching this world cup without sound. There's no stadium sound, you cannot hear any fans singing, cheering..
All you hear is one constant annpying sound of vuvus :D Please FIFA...take those damn things away from the fans.

but this is the world cup of arfica and they will enjoy as they wish. When FIFA gave it to Africa, they accepted everything.

^^ :yes:


(The same during France '98: Attendance 100%)

You have to be the biggest clown on this website. You do know France is a first world country surrounded by first world countries. :bash:. People can afford the tickets!! 1 fourth of South Africa lives on less than 1.25 dollars a day you fool!!!! People around the world need to but more tickets, south africa cannot do all the world fool!!!!!!!

Today at Johannesburg

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Why English people always moaning.

World cup
1998 English people moaning about too many frogs
2002 English people moaning about empty seat
2006 English people moaning about Nazi killer Jew
2010 English people moaning about empty seat
2014 English people will moaning about too many whores

FFS

Amazing stadium :)

What will happen after the WC? It it a national stadium or what?
I can't imagine that the attendance in the SA competition is 90,000 every match
It's a national footbal/rugby stadiums. I fail to understand why people have to think of the "after the world cup" aas stadiums have even hosted musical and other events befoe the World Cup. Stadiums like Mbombela and Peter Mokaba have got much potential IMO but the respective cities needs to utalise them in a very intelligent manner.

Today at Johannesburg





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Damn, I love orange :D

You have to be the biggest clown on this website. You do know France is a first world country surrounded by first world countries. :bash:. People can afford the tickets!! 1 fourth of South Africa lives on less than 1.25 dollars a day you fool!!!! People around the world need to but more tickets, south africa cannot do all the world fool!!!!!!!

If I remember well, during the IRB WC in 1995 the stadiums were filled (maybe because they were smaller) !!!

The same happened during France FIFA WC '98 (first WC with 32 teams): smaller stadiums=bigger chance to fill them !

Anyway, I don't understand the purpose of so many large stadiums built for the WC if they are empty and if it was predictable as you apparently say... I know FIFA nowadays asks for 40K minimum (which is stupid IMO) but maybe 8 40K stadiums + Ellis Park + Soccer City would have been enough...

And what about the legacy... will all these new stadiums be needed ????


PS: Thanks anyway for the personal insults :ohno: !

Why English people always moaning.

World cup
1998 English people moaning about too many frogs
2002 English people moaning about empty seat
2006 English people moaning about Nazi killer Jew
2010 English people moaning about empty seat
2014 English people will moaning about too many whores

FFS


2010 English people moaning about Vuvuzela

Today at Johannesburg

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I love those blondes... Mama Mia!!

^ Bad news guys: those girls you're talking about have been arrested by FIFA!

See those girls you're looking at are called "the Bavaria babes" cuz the dress they are wearing (if you notice they're all wearing the same type of dress) is actually an idea by the Dutch brewer Bavaria.

Basically what happened is Heineken (the more famous Dutch beermaker and official FIFA sponsor) tipped off FIFA that there are women attending yesterday's match dressed in something that came from the rival brewer. The scandalous FIFA then swiftly reacted to the wish (scandalous because there was no brand name on the dresses) and gave orders to the stadium officials to literally hunt those beer babes (they supposedly used stadium cameras for this purpose) and "take care of them".

Women in minis held by Fifa

June 15 2010 at 08:37AM


Submit your comment


By Angelique Serrao

Thirty-six sexily dressed Dutch women were forced out of Soccer City and held in a Fifa office for several hours for wearing an outfit designed by a Dutch beer company.

The body-hugging orange mini-dress, known as the Dutchy dress, was part of a gift pack bought with Bavaria beer in Holland as part of the build-up to the World Cup.

Peer Swinkels, from Bavaria beer, told The Star last night that his colleagues in South Africa had told him that 36 Dutch women had been arrested after the match between the Netherlands and Denmark for wearing the dress.

He said there was no branding on what has been described as the first real World Cup dress, but it was well known to be part of Bavaria beer in Holland

"It's a nice dress. Very fashionable. In my opinion, people should have the right to wear whatever they want," Swinkels said. "We launched the orange item on April 30 on the queen's birthday, which we call Queen's Day. The Dutch people are a little crazy about orange and we wear it on public holidays and events like the World Cup."

But Fifa has said the dress is part of an ambush-marketing campaign it would not allow at matches.

Dutch tourist Barbara Kastein was a part of a large group who wore the dress, but many women at the stadium wore the outfit.

"We were sitting near the front, making a lot of noise, and the cameras kept focusing on us," Kastein said. "We were singing songs and having a good time." http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2871&art_id=vn20100615044444433C406692

You have to be the biggest clown on this website. You do know France is a first world country surrounded by first world countries. :bash:. People can afford the tickets!! 1 fourth of South Africa lives on less than 1.25 dollars a day you fool!!!! People around the world need to buy more tickets, south africa cannot do all the world fool!!!!!!!

Yet all of your compatriots have been saying how local people wanted tickets but FIFA screwed up badly...

Why English people always moaning.

World cup
1998 English people moaning about penalties
2002 English people moaning about empty seats
2006 English people moaning about penalties
2010 English people moaning about vuvuzelas
2014 English people will moaning about penalties

FFS

Corrected for you.

Anyway, I don't understand the purpose of so many large stadiums built for the WC if they are empty and if it was predictable as you apparently say... I know FIFA nowadays asks for 40K minimum (which is stupid IMO) but maybe 8 40K stadiums + Ellis Park + Soccer City would have been enough...

Three "large" stadiums were built for the World Cup - Cape Town Stadium, Moses Mabhida in Durban, and Soccer City in Joburg. Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium built in Port Elizabeth is comparatively small, as are the other newly-built stadiums. The remaining stadiums were existing venues.

If we discount Soccer City, considering one large venue is definitely a must, we're left with two large stadiums - Cape Town and Durban's. Both cities have had absolutely no problem filling their stadiums. I stay in Cape Town and demand has been so high I've been unable to get myself a single ticket here.

So basically what I'm getting at is that your argument that we shouldn't have built so many large stadiums is baseless, because we only really built three significantly large venues, and all three are needed. In fact, for the World Cup at least, Cape Town and Durban could probably easily have filled Soccer City-sized stadiums too.

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What asistence public, match 1 and 2 on Soccer City ??

The "orange dresses" thingy is just hilarious...anyway I think the dress with the beer logo was just a good excuse to keep them inside a FIFA office :lol:

FIFA never cease to amaze me :lol:

The "orange dresses" thingy is just hilarious...anyway I think the dress with the beer logo was just a good excuse to keep them inside a FIFA office :lol:

How pathetic... throw those Vuvuzela blowers in jail instead!! :bash:

Two women in court over World Cup Dutch 'beer stunt'

Page last updated at 14:17 GMT, Wednesday, 16 June 2010 15:17 UK

Two Dutch women have appeared in court in South Africa over an alleged "ambush marketing" stunt at a World Cup match. They were released on bail.

More than 30 women were ejected from the Johannesburg stadium on Monday during the match between Denmark and the Netherlands.

They were accused by Fifa of breaking strict rules on World Cup marketing.

They had all been wearing identical mini-dresses in Dutch orange, sold as part of a gift pack by a Dutch brewery.

Continue reading the main story It is outrageous two women have a jail term over their heads for wearing orange dresses in a stadium
Maxime Verhagen

Dutch Foreign Minister
The two women appeared in a Johannesburg court on Wednesday under the Contravention of Merchandise Marks Act. They were released on bail and ordered to return to court next Tuesday.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen called the criminal charges "disproportionate".

"It is outrageous that the two women have a jail term hanging over their heads for wearing orange dresses in a football stadium," he said in a statement.

"If South Africa or Fifa wants to take a company to task for an illegal marketing action, they should start judicial procedures against the company and not against ordinary citizens walking around in orange dresses."

The case has already led to the sacking of English football commentator and former footballer Robbie Earle.

He was found to have passed on some of the tickets used by the women from his allocation for friends and family, in breach of Fifa rules, and was promptly sacked by employer ITV.

Lucrative rights
Fifa, the world footballing body, said it had launched legal action against the Dutch brewery, Bavaria, but not the women in question. It said it was up to the police how they should proceed.

With a large chunk of Fifa's revenue coming from selling World Cup marketing rights, it vigorously pursues anyone who tries to associate itself with the tournament, reports the BBC's Jonah Fisher from Johannesburg.

Earlier this year a local low-cost airline was forced to withdraw an advertising campaign that boasted it was the "Unofficial National Carrier of the You-Know-What".

Bavaria board member Peer Swinkels told Reuters news agency that Fifa's reaction was "ridiculous".

"Fifa does not have the monopoly on orange and people have the freedom to wear what they want," he said.

Gotta love FIFA :lol:

2010 English people moaning about Vuvuzela

with good bloody reason.

Today at Johannesburg
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The girls were arrested. :ohno:

Brazilian press reported most of them are South Africans and not Dutch.

The girls were arrested. :ohno:

Brazilian press reported most of them are South Africans and not Dutch.



Two Bavaria beer “Dutch dress babes” who were arrested at their hotel in Johannesburg last night have been freed on bail after appearing at a Johannesburg court on Wednesday. The Bavaria brewery reportedly paid 10,000 rand - the equivalent of over 1,000 euros per person - for their release, but their passports have been confiscated.

The pair were among 36 women who were removed from the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg during the Holland-Denmark World Cup match on Monday. The group arrived at the match dressed as Danish supporters, but soon stripped off their red and white gear to reveal orange mini-dresses marketed by the Dutch brewery Bavaria.

Only three Dutch women in the group were Dutch nationals. According to the ANP, reliable sources say the two were arrested on Tuesday because of indications that their flights to South Africa were paid for by a third party.

On Monday, the “babes” were held for the duration of the match. The three Dutch women were subsequently taken for questioning for two hours. One of them, Barbara Castelein, says they were put under considerable pressure by the South African authorities, treated roughly and threatened with six-month prison sentences.

Official beer

The international football association FIFA has lodged a criminal complaint against Bavaria, accusing the Dutch company of an “ambush marketing” stunt – the term for the exploitation of a sponsored event by a non-sponsor. The women were ejected from the stadium for wearing the so-called “Dutch Dress” being marketed by Bavaria as “the first World Cup item made specially for female supporters”. FIFA is obliged to protect the official sponsor of the World Cup, US brewer Budweiser.

Bavaria has issued a statement in response to the accusations, saying: "There is no way FIFA can hold these ladies responsible for their attendance at the match in their Dutch Dress in Soccer City and Bavaria is currently doing everything in their power to assist the arrested Dutch ladies.

"Bavaria’s intention with the Dutch Dresses has always been to generate pleasure and enthusiasm amongst the football fans. This was very well understood and appreciated by the international audience in and around the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. The Dutch Dresses don’t have a big brand name logo."

The dress has become very popular in the Netherlands and caused a minor “beer war” even before the start of the World Cup. Sylvia van der Vaart, wife of Dutch soccer star Rafael, played a prominent role in the Bavaria campaign – rather embarrassingly for rival Dutch brewer Heineken, the sponsor of the Dutch national team.

TV Tickets

Meanwhile former international footballer Robbie Earle, one of the World Cup pundits for British commercial television channel ITV, has been sacked "with immediate effect" for breaching FIFA rules by passing dozens of tickets to third parties. The tickets were allocated to Earle for his family and friends. Between 35 and 40 of them are believed to have gone to the marketing company used by Bavaria.

Robbie Earle said: “I have absolutely no connection with any marketing ambush agency and have not profited in any way from these tickets. Call me naïve, but I didn't think I was doing anything wrong.”

If he is found guilty of breaking FIFA’s rules he will also be dropped as one of England’s official ambassadors in its bid for the 2018 World Cup.

FIFA go "investigate" why ticket holders do not appear on stadiums and leave the freaking (good-looking) girls alone! :bash:

http://www.ad.nl/static/FOTO/pe/15/5/9/album_large_154314.jpg
Dutch fans so hot

So basically what I'm getting at is that your argument that we shouldn't have built so many large stadiums is baseless, because we only really built three significantly large venues, and all three are needed. In fact, for the World Cup at least, Cape Town and Durban could probably easily have filled Soccer City-sized stadiums too.

As a matter of fact, you're right !

New stadiums in Durban and Cape Town (not to mention Soccer City) are useful and amazing btw... BUT, because of the FIFA stupid "new" regulations, you also had to built three 40K+ stadiums, 2 haven't been filled till today... 30K+ stadiums would have been enough IMO......And what about the ugly (refurbished) 40K+ Bafokeng: perfectly unsuitable for WC/football games..way too large for NZ vs SLO...but too small for USA vs ENG...

As I said FIFA regulations suck !

A better approach would definitely have been to give Cape Town and Durban more games. Demand in the two cities is massive. On TV you may notice a few empty seats, but as pointed out earlier, if you look at the FIFA ticketing website the day before the game it will say all the tickets are sold out, but then 2 hours before the game tickets suddenly appear out of nowhere. FIFA are holding onto them for some reason I'd love to know!

but then 2 hours before the game tickets suddenly appear out of nowhere

Nothing new....... As you already know, this is also called black market !! ;) :D

Every big events/tournaments have it... whether FIFA/UEFA/IOC/MADONNA/U2 likes it or not !
But, usually, black market doesn't prevent stadiums to be filled.....


BTW, Thanks to it, I have seen an important game of the French team during Germany 2006 !!!

i love this stadium
somehow at day games it reminds me of azteca

Nothing new....... As you already know, this is also called black market !! ;) :D

Every big events/tournaments have it... whether FIFA/UEFA/IOC/MADONNA/U2 likes it or not !
But, usually, black market doesn't prevent stadiums to be filled.....


BTW, Thanks to it, I have seen an important game of the French team during Germany 2006 !!!

No I'm talking about the official FIFA website. FIFA themselves are saying the games are sold out, but then releasing more tickets 2 hours before the games start. It makes South Africa look bad and pisses off those who would like to go to the game.

No I'm talking about the official FIFA website. FIFA themselves are saying the games are sold out, but then releasing more tickets 2 hours before the games start. It makes South Africa look bad and pisses off those who would like to go to the game.

Ah, OK !

Well......as I said FIFA regulations suck ! :lol:

But it's not totally FIFA's fault, cause as far I know, it's also because of the Federations/FA who don't tell to FIFA in time that they haven't sold all their reserved tickets.

So we won't see 90,000+ in the final?
Dreamed of it :(

^^ Keep dreaming Sercan !!! :D
The net cap. is around 84K (and you know that)... especially during the final, mostly because of the press seats !

People in CT are desperate for tickets yet there are empty seats at matches.

If England vs. Algeria is not at capacity then I don't know.

^^ Keep dreaming Sercan !!! :D
The net cap. is around 84K (and you know that)... especially during the final, mostly because of the press seats !

Noooo :(
I've always thought 94,700 is gross and 91,141 net.

So was this one the 94,700 version?
http://worldcup2010mania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/soccer-city-jhb.jpg

BTW how high are the stands? Looks like 40+m to me

for the world cup net is 88480 if i can remember correctly

This is more realistic.
In general the diff. between gross and net at new stadiums is 3,000-5,000

On FIFA.com in English they wrote: 88,460
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While on FIFA.com in French they wrote: 84,490
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3235/capturedcran20100618183.jpg


So I Don't know.... But the attendance of the opening game (sold-out) was 84,490 !!

Argentina 4-1 Korea Republic

Attendance: 82,174

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Brazil 3-1 Côte d'Ivoire

Attendance: 84,455

some questions about this stadium: 1 who uses those huge corner stairs ? i have seen people walk on them in tv.

2: why are the seats closest to the pitch tarped?

Just had my last game at this stadium, decided to catch the train from Park Station and it was even more painless than the Park and Rides. The only problem was parking, but as usual the enterprising carguards charge you to park on the pavement outside. :tongue2: Off to Rustenburg tomorrow, then Nelspruit on Friday - Loving this World Cup! :cheers:

2: why are the seats closest to the pitch tarped?

They have obstructed views. FIFA decided the player benches, goals, advertising placards, etc. are blocking the view of the field.

Ghana 0-1 Germany

Attendance: 83,391

They have obstructed views. FIFA decided the player benches, goals, advertising placards, etc. are blocking the view of the field.

I should have made myself clearer, i realize they are tarped because of obstructed views, but shouldnt they have thought of that when they built the stadium ? sort of like placing seats behind a collumn...

I should have made myself clearer, i realize they are tarped because of obstructed views, but shouldnt they have thought of that when they built the stadium ? sort of like placing seats behind a collumn...

I imagine FIFA's rules on obstructed views are more strict than local leagues. Also these stadiums are/will be used for rugby as their main tenant, which doesn't have the same obstructions as soccer.

Argentina 3-1 Mexico

Attendance: 84,377

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Idiots throwing rolls of toilet paper onto the pitch during the game.

Mostly when the teams ( for Argentina of course ) entered the pitch. I don't see anything bad in that, it's not like they set the chairs on fire or threw bricks and wine bottles at the Mexican players.

No, it was during the game too. Didn't you see? Mostly on the left side of the field. Thankfully by chance whenever it happened the ball tended to be in play on the other side of the field and someone could run on and remove it.

Come on Argentina !!!!!!!!!!

Mmmmmm, the field has now a almost yellow color, bad for the most big stadium, and the final match.........GREEN POINT (CAPE TOWN) and DURBAN has really green pitch!!!

Idiots throwing rolls of toilet paper onto the pitch during the game.

They are not idiots.They are just proper fans for this game and so much better fans than vuvuzela idiots.

They are not idiots.They are just proper fans for this game and so much better fans than vuvuzela idiots.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out the fact that you don't throw crap onto the pitch while they're playing. Hence, they're idiots.

AET: Uruguay 1-1 Ghana
penalty shoot-out: 4-2

Attendance: 84,017

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Idiots throwing rolls of toilet paper onto the pitch during the game.

so you missed 1978...it was snowing ticker tape....argentina really got behind their team and most others...they had tape and long haired dudes...we have vuvu waves.:banana:

They are not idiots.They are just proper fans for this game and so much better fans than vuvuzela idiots.

well said...100% right.:lol:

so you missed 1978

Well, yes, I was but a mere dream back in 1978 ;)

it is an impressive stadium.. good design, great atmosphere!
good football ^^

Well thanks mate......

i predict the attendance for the final to be 82 000 something. Like 2006, Berlin had a capacity of 74 000 and had 69 000 for the final. soccer citty already has so many press seats i cant imagine capacity to drop below 80 000 this time

82,750 For my cash...

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out the fact that you don't throw crap onto the pitch while they're playing. Hence, they're idiots.

If world has to tolerate your football culture (vuvuzelas), then you should be able to tolerate theirs.

fair comment Mr Mac....

If world has to tolerate your football culture (vuvuzelas), then you should be able to tolerate theirs.

They're only disrupting their own players :lol: Very clever culture they've got there! :banana:

Orange seating. Let's hope it is a good omen.

They're only disrupting their own players :lol: Very clever culture they've got there! :banana:

watch a few games from 1978...you dont seem to apppreciate the vibe back then...seriously...the paper throwing was the equivalent of the vuvu if not bigger...

watch a few games from 1978...you dont seem to apppreciate the vibe back then...seriously...the paper throwing was the equivalent of the vuvu if not bigger...

I don't like the vuvu, so moot point :)

http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/812/50e538f9ce6d453d837d5a2b41e05dbd.jpg

:rock::drool:

They're only disrupting their own players :lol: Very clever culture they've got there! :banana:

Oh man!!!.- Let's just get a stick and put a hole on it and blow thru it for 90 minutes then. No chanting, no singing, no throwing paper, no jumping, no shouting putooooooo!!!, no waving scarfs, not even shouting goooooolllll when a team scores, no... just blowing and blowing....

Oh man!!!.- Let's just get a stick and put a hole on it and blow thru it for 90 minutes then. No chanting, no singing, no throwing paper, no jumping, no shouting putooooooo!!!, no waving scarfs, not even shouting goooooolllll when a team scores, no... just blowing and blowing....

Cute. As I said, I don't like the vuvuzela, so pointless rant :nuts:

What will the official capacity be for the final?

^^I hope the capacity for the final is over 85,000.

And I think the Soccer City stadium should be used exclusively for soccer. A plan to host a rugby match at Soccer City in August was announced, but it should have been rejected, that should have been held in Ellis Park. Also, there were talks that the stadium was going to be renamed the "National Stadium". Soccer city has never hosted a rugby match, and probably never will.

^^I hope the capacity for the final is over 85,000.

And I think the Soccer City stadium should be used exclusively for soccer. A plan to host a rugby match at Soccer City in August was announced, but it should have been rejected, that should have been held in Ellis Park. Also, there were talks that the stadium was going to be renamed the "National Stadium". Soccer city has never hosted a rugby match, and probably never will.

Why not? The fact that people want to use the stadium is a good thing...it's what keeps it viable.

This is a multipurpose venue

Moses Mabhida Stadium is a multipurpose venue. This issue sucks. Let's not have two Ellis Parks here. A rugby match is being held at Soccer city because of its larger capacity? The GreenPoint Stadium and the Mabhida Stadium get to host international rugby matches and may eventually replace the old rugby stadiums outright.

"Old stadiums would make way for the new world cup venues" - Plan A, since day 1

Larger capacity, better facilities, more money, etc etc etc

Moses Mabhida Stadium is a multipurpose venue. This issue sucks. Let's not have two Ellis Parks here. A rugby match is being held at Soccer city because of its larger capacity? The GreenPoint Stadium and the Mabhida Stadium get to host international rugby matches and may eventually replace the old rugby stadiums outright.

Soccer city is a multi purpose venue....end.:cheers:

The name is SOCCER City, not Rugby City. It's like using Twickenham stadium for soccer.

welll knock me down with a feather duster...its called a stadium which is capable of holding a golf tournament which ellis park did once...if you know your history...i think the people of jhb who had to put services delivery on hold to accomodate the final account from the stadium will whole heartedly accept the revenue from any quarter to pay for the stadium thereby freeing up funds to improve the likes of soweto and the greater jhb.

^^Ellis Park never hosted a golf tournament, and there are no golf courses near Ellis Park. And I'd appreciate it if Soccer City had never hosted a rugby match in its lifetime.

And Soccer City can still host concerts like other large stadiums do. Why couldn't a concert been scheduled for that date instead?

The name is SOCCER City, not Rugby City. It's like using Twickenham stadium for soccer.

Yes and Twickenham will never be used for football, not even for the WC 2018. I actually agree with you Jim! When they chose that name, they should have thought about the consequences.

What on earth is the issue? SO WHAT if it's called Soccer City? Do people really care so much about something so stupid? Gosh.

Soccer City isn't going to be named such for too long. It's going to be renamed with a corporate sponsor before long and it won't be an issue. It's the same as other stadiums that have been named (insert city name) World Cup Stadium in past Cups. It's not lasting and it doesn't mean they can only host World Cup matches. It would be financially irresponsible and a waste of the country's largest stadium to limit the events it holds.

^^Ellis Park never hosted a golf tournament, and there are no golf courses near Ellis Park. And I'd appreciate it if Soccer City had never hosted a rugby match in its lifetime.

And Soccer City can still host concerts like other large stadiums do. Why couldn't a concert been scheduled for that date instead?

Whichever entity owns and/or operates the stadium can do whatever they want to ensure the rent is paid and the venue is maintained properly. If that means attracting anything from rugby matches to concerts so be it. For those of us who want to see that all projects be sustainable, isn't that an admirable goal in itself?

Does anyone know what is the likelihood that FNB regains naming rights to the stadium after the completion of the World Cup?

The name is SOCCER City, not Rugby City. It's like using Twickenham stadium for soccer.

So using the Melbourne Cricket Ground or the Sydney Cricket Ground for anything other than cricket is wrong? Not to mention the countless amount of "... Olympic Stadium" or "... Memorial Stadium" being used for anything other than the Olympics or Memorials. Dammit the Buffalo Bills need to leave Ralph Wilson Stadium, the stadium is for Ralph Wilson only.

Its extra capacity over Ellis park will most likely be a welcome addition come August or whenever it is.

Soccer City isn't going to be named such for too long. It's going to be renamed with a corporate sponsor before long and it won't be an issue. It's the same as other stadiums that have been named (insert city name) World Cup Stadium in past Cups. It's not lasting and it doesn't mean they can only host World Cup matches. It would be financially irresponsible and a waste of the country's largest stadium to limit the events it holds.

So, it can host any soccer match it wants. Club matches, league finals, national team exhibition matches, you name it. That's why the stadium is named Soccer City. I am opposed to corporate sponsors and you know it. Can we just rename it "Johannesburg Soccer Stadium"?

Yes and Twickenham will never be used for football, not even for the WC 2018. I actually agree with you Jim! When they chose that name, they should have thought about the consequences.

If FIFA want Twickenham, FIFA will get Twickenham.

^^But that's unlikely. Twickenham is run by a board that doesn't allow soccer matches to be played there.

If FIFA want Twickenham, FIFA will get Twickenham.

Though I appreciate the totalatarism of FIFA, it wasn't included in the 2018 bid so I highly doubt that. The main reason it wasn't included, other than not wanting to have both London stadiums in the west of the capital, was because Twickenham decided they did not want football to be played there. It is a great shame because at 82,000 it would have been the 2nd biggest venue of the WC but that's the way it is unfortunately.

So, it can host any soccer match it wants. Club matches, league finals, national team exhibition matches, you name it. That's why the stadium is named Soccer City. I am opposed to corporate sponsors and you know it. Can we just rename it "Johannesburg Soccer Stadium"?

And did I forget to mention that this stadium's exterior looks like a hamburger patty?

I'm glad the folk running Soccer city have slightly more business sense than you seem to.

What will the official capacity be for the final?

me and some other guy guessed 82 000 en the previous page. it has been 84 throughout the tournament, and some seats usually dissapear in a final.

I'm glad the folk running Soccer city have slightly more business sense than you seem to.

Don't get mental with me, boy.

Soccer City Stadium aka Dive City Stadium :lol:
http://www.electriceasel.co.uk/Miscimages/Football_Dive.jpg

spain 1 holland nil

Don't get mental with me, boy.

*shudders in fear*
:nuts:

Final
AET: Netherlands 0-1 Spain

Attendance: 84,490

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Once again, we DID it...
We delivered the one of the best worl cups ever. We are indeed a RAINBOW NATION...

Where are the haters now?

Whichever entity owns and/or operates the stadium can do whatever they want to ensure the rent is paid and the venue is maintained properly. If that means attracting anything from rugby matches to concerts so be it. For those of us who want to see that all projects be sustainable, isn't that an admirable goal in itself?

Does anyone know what is the likelihood that FNB regains naming rights to the stadium after the completion of the World Cup?

FNB actually have naming rights until 2014 .

It is a bad idea renaming a World Cup final stadium for historic reasons amongst others. If SA wants to have a National Stadium, then Moses Mabhida will be a good bet whenever the athletics tracks are laid not Soccer City.

http://www.kickoff.com/2010/news/16650/soccer-city-in-naming-rights-war.php

Soccer City in naming rights war


Soccer City is set to become the centre of a naming rights war if local newspaper reports are to believed.

The 90 000-capacity stadium, which will host Sunday's World Cup Final, is the country's premier footballing venue and the best stadium in Africa.

And Stadium Management South Africa, the company which will operate the stadium, says it will be known as The National Stadium in post World Cup mode.

But FNB, the bank which had naming rights to the stadium before its redevelopment as Soccer City, says it has naming rights until 2014 and that the iconic facility will become known as FNB Soccer City.

A spokesman for Stadium Management South Africa, which claims to have been awarded rights, that include sponsorship and advertising rights to Soccer City, said that no relationship exists between the stadium and FNB, who were a local sponsor of the World Cup.

Excellent stuff, what a total blast the world cup has been.

Just like that, this massive spectacle comes to a conclusion, and South Africa has succeeded beyond (most peoples) wildest expectations.
The fact that we can now say 'I told you so' and all that stuff is almost irrelevant, so far has the country and its image progressed during the world cup.

The lasting and overriding impression and memory of this world cup is actually of the FANS - and what a time they had. The biggest and best party I can remember, and I am sure most people who were there would agree.

Congratulations South Africa on ushering in your new era of success. Thank you for the memories, thank you for showing us that impossible is indeed nothing.

Let them rename it FNB Soccer City, then.

And the attendance nomber of the final has to be exactly the same as the opening game?

Let them rename it FNB Soccer City, then.

And the attendance nomber of the final has to be exactly the same as the opening game?

That is Soccer City stadium's maximum capacity for World Cup.

Once again, we DID it...
We delivered the one of the best worl cups ever. We are indeed a RAINBOW NATION...

Where are the haters now?

they left old fellow, no words can describe this kind of event made by southaprica, was just amazing the organization and everything :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Once again, we DID it...
We delivered the one of the best worl cups ever. We are indeed a RAINBOW NATION...

Where are the haters now?

You should be extremely proud. South Africa pulled off a fantastic World Cup from all accounts. The stadia were beautiful, the fans were great, the only thing that could have been better would be a better showing by Bafana Bafana :(.

South Africa opened up a lot of eyes around the world. Once again, you should be very proud of your country.

You should be extremely proud. South Africa pulled off a fantastic World Cup from all accounts. The stadia were beautiful, the fans were great, the only thing that could have been better would be a better showing by Bafana Bafana :(.

South Africa opened up a lot of eyes around the world. Once again, you should be very proud of your country.

Dont worry, Bafana Bafana is a work in progress. by 2022, we will be ready to conqure the world:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=vn20100717072522307C817630


Furious Soccer City row erupts after WC final

July 17 2010 at 07:44AM


It's official. On Sunday, the iconic stadium which hosted the opening game of the World Cup and last Sunday's final reverts to being the FNB Stadium - but it might be up to the High Court to decide for how long.

The R3.4 billion showpiece calabash in Joburg, which will forever be known as Soccer City to million of overseas soccer fans - and indeed to most GPS users until their software is updated - will now be known as the FNB Stadium for the next four years.

First National Bank spokeswoman Vicki Trehaeven said the stadium, which has been known as FNB Stadium since its construction in 1987, had been temporarily renamed Soccer City only to comply with Fifa's demands.

"During the World Cup, in compliance with Fifa requirements, FNB agreed that the name of the stadium would be changed for a period commencing three months prior to the opening match of the competition and one week after the closing match," said Trehaeven.

Last week, as the country prepared to host the final of the hugely successful 2010 World Cup, reports began emerging that Stadium Management South Africa, the company which will operate the stadium, would name it the National Stadium after the tournament.

On Friday night, Jacques Grobbelaar, a director of the company, confirmed this,

"We are certainly not aware that the name of Soccer City will change to FNB Stadium on Sunday," he said.

"As far as we are concerned, we have acquired the rights to the stadium since 2009. These rights include advertising, naming and sponsorship rights.

"The ownership of land had changed and we were awarded rights by the City of Joburg.

"Nevertheless, we will take it up with our legal team so that we can get a better understanding of FNB's legal stance," said Grobbelaar.

"From our side, we understand that Soccer City's name will be changed to the National Stadium, but we are working hard with our legal team, so we will see what happens," he said.

Indeed, when tickets for the upcoming Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks on August 21 went on sale, the tickets referred to the FNB Stadium as the National Stadium, as did advertisements for the game put out by the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

But Trehaeven wants the organisers to advertise the rugby game under the stadium's proper name.

"They are contractually obligated to advertise the upcoming rugby game under the new name," she said. "These rights were merely suspended in the lead-up to and during the World Cup.

"In keeping with its 'clean stadium' requirements, there can be no commercial association with any stadium linked to the World Cup, and hence the name had to change."

Trehaeven added that a deal had been concluded in early 2007 regarding the future naming rights of the stadium.

Still getting over the World Cup hangover.

But the vibe, the positivity, the togetherness - all that seems to have carried over into daily life, on the radio, tv, at events.

The Bastille Day celebrations in Franschoek on the weekend were mad - absolute wall to wall partying and festivities - it just seems like we have picked everything up a notch over here.

The social benefits this World Cup has brought South Africa cannot be measured in terms of Rands or Dollars - it is priceless.

'Soccer City' Tri-Nations match sold out July 27 2010 at 04:03PM Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za (http://www.iolmobile.co.za/)

The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) announced on Tuesday that all available tickets for the Vodacom Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and New Zealand on August 21 at National Stadium (formerly Soccer City) have been sold.

The match is officially an 88 791 seat sell-out, making it the largest attendance for a Springbok Test since 1955, should all ticket holders attend.

The last 5 000 tickets, available only in Soweto, sold out on Monday.

The GLRU confirmed that a final phase of ticket sales would not be possible as all stakeholders had opted to utilise their full allocation. - Sapa

Sweet. Just hope the Bokke can raise their game on the pitch...

Giving the IRB a taste of what they turned down for 2011, 2015 and 2019.

But...but...the stadiums are supposed to be white elephants :|

Es un estadio espectacular

'Soccer City' Tri-Nations match sold out July 27 2010 at 04:03PM Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za (http://www.iolmobile.co.za/)

The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) announced on Tuesday that all available tickets for the Vodacom Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and New Zealand on August 21 at National Stadium (formerly Soccer City) have been sold.

The match is officially an 88 791 seat sell-out, making it the largest attendance for a Springbok Test since 1955, should all ticket holders attend.

The last 5 000 tickets, available only in Soweto, sold out on Monday.

The GLRU confirmed that a final phase of ticket sales would not be possible as all stakeholders had opted to utilise their full allocation. - Sapa

They've changed the name to National Stadium?? I understand that would be strange to play rugby matches in a stadium called Soccer City, but it is the Soccer temple of South Africa, they should not have changed. It is the same as change Wembley, Maracana or Azteca to National Stadium.
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Just read now that the stadium will not be named national stadium but FNB Stadium as naming rights. With that I agree, but would be better if would call it: FNB Soccer City Stadium. No?

Nice structure....Love it!

Another sold-out event:

Charity Cup sold out
Share |
01 August 2010, 12:08
Tickets for the Telkom Charity Cup to be staged at Soccer City on Saturday have been sold out.

This was announced by Premier Soccer League media manager Altaaf Kazi on Sunday. He added that only hospitality suite tickets are still available.

The public voting on which four PSL teams will compete in the annual PSL season pipe-opener will be made in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The four teams polling the most telephone votes will compete in the day long event. - Sapa

Charity Cup smashes record

Posted: 2010-08-09 08:52

A record 87 000 spectators filed into Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium for South Africa's season-opening Telkom Charity Cup at the weekend, less than a month after the arena hosted the World Cup Final.

The Premier Soccer League said it had sold 80 000 seats for the one-day tournament, which featured four teams in three separate matches and handed out a further 7 000 complimentary tickets.

It was the first event at the stadium since Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 on July 11 to lift the World Cup.

The attendance figure will be broken again in two weeks when a first-ever rugby match is hosted at the same venue.

A 88 791-seat sellout for the Tri-Nations test between the Springboks and New Zealand's All Blacks on August 21 has already been announced. Soccer City has a capacity of 94 700 but during the World Cup only some 84 000 seats were sold because place was required for extensive media and VIP facilities.

The PSL is hoping heightened interest following the success of the World Cup will spark an increase in attendance for local League games, which have been poorly supported over the last decade.

"We certainly want to see the fans coming into the stadiums. We want to see all the people who were at the World Cup coming back and experiencing more," said the League's Chief Executive Officer Kjetil Siem.

In an effort to capitalise on post-World Cup fever, the PSL announced it would kick off its League campaign on August 27 with two back-to-back matches at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, also built for the World Cup. The stadium's capacity has been reduced to 52 000 with the removal of temporary seating installed for the World Cup.

PSL spokesperson Altaaf Kazi told reporters they were confident of a sell-out crowd.

The new stadium in Durban will also be used for local League matches this season.

kickoff.com (http://www.kickoff.com/news/17097/telkom-charity-cup-smashes-record.php)

^^ So capacity is 94,700!

(http://www.daylife.com/photo/0dL2aeKfyseNQ?q=fnb)


http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08q8aBigGK6xe/610x.jpg http://favicon.daylife.com/imageserve/06T8a8lavf8sc/favicon.png AP Photo (http://www.apimages.com/) 23 hours ago

New Zealand rugby team during their training at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg (http://www.daylife.com/topic/Johannesburg), South Africa, Friday Aug. 20, 2010, ahead of their match against South Africa. This will be the first Test match at this venue since the stadium's was build in 2009. For the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup (http://www.daylife.com/topic/2010_World_Cup) tournament the stadium was known as Soccer City.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00Jz8jP1Ar4dG/900x.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4915405912_6f5bab5a06_b.jpgLicense http://l.yimg.com/g/images/icon_all_rights.png All rights reserved by Jentymom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenty/)
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Sweeeet!

sensational! SA you rock!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4915405912_6f5bab5a06_b.jpgLicense http://l.yimg.com/g/images/icon_all_rights.png All rights reserved by Jentymom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenty/)


Beautiful...

love this staduim

a question? for the ones who have the chance to attend an event there, how large and good are the giant screens? Enough to be seen everywhere in the stadium?

Absolutely spectacular stadium inside and out.

Worst as Egypt.

a question? for the ones who have the chance to attend an event there, how large and good are the giant screens? Enough to be seen everywhere in the stadium?

Actually quite small, especially if compared to US stadiums, but still good enough to see anything shown! I assume both screens were something where the costs were cut!

buen estadio.

Based on the success of its first rugby match, can Soccer City host more rugby union matches in the future?

It could, but would need the backing of the rugby unions first.

The stadium is designed to accommodate rugby as well.

91 525 attended a local football league final last night!

The match was sold out two days prior.

91 525 attended a local football league final last night!

The match was sold out two days prior.

How many matches/concerts and spectators visited SC since the WC?

How many matches/concerts and spectators visited SC since the WC?
Too many soccer matches to count off hand.

It's anchor tenant is one of South Africa's largest football clubs.

The stadium was also used for a Tri-nation Rugby game which too, was sold out.

Conference areas are also often used, and the next concert takes place next month when Coldplay tour the country.

Some images from the local thread.

Images from another previous sold out soccer match

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Setting up for the sold out U2 360 concert.


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/Leftfoot1/FNBU2Friday.jpg
From Big Concerts Facebook




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Collabo with Bra Hugh

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Passing by the stadium
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/5382957/640/5382957.jpg

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/5382978/640/5382978.jpg

Stadium by day
http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=142232&mode=view

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45063&start=405

Close to 90 000 filled the stadium in a local soccer match this past week.

is it true that the grass is semi artificial and semi natural???

Isn't it on pretty much all newer stadiums?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desso_GrassMaster

Like this brand for example..

Will there be a tenant after the World Cup? The problem with too many World Cup and Olympic venues is that they are built with short sight. No plans for after the said events.

Over 87.000 spectators for last Soweto derby ( Orlando Pirates - Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 ) !!!!

Will there be a tenant after the World Cup? The problem with too many World Cup and Olympic venues is that they are built with short sight. No plans for after the said events.

its the national stadium so it hosts a lot of football matches and is the new venue for springbok rugby games in johannesburg. it's also hosted a few concerts. it's definitely not standing dormant!

happy to see that "green" has spread around the stadium :)

It wasn't the case during WC 2010 :mad:

happy to see that "green" has spread around the stadium :)

It wasn't the case during WC 2010 :mad:

thats because it was winter and unfortunately johannesburg turns into a big, brown mess in winter. it was sad that the world didn't get to experience south africa in summer as it would have made for an even more colorful world cup.

Is it true that Soccer City is located out in the middle of nowhere, outside of Joburg's city limits?

Someone from SA told me that you will need to drive in order to get to the stadium.

Is it true that Soccer City is located out in the middle of nowhere, outside of Joburg's city limits?

Someone from SA told me that you will need to drive in order to get to the stadium.

yeah. its in nasrec which is on the outskirts of soweto. not exactly the middle of the city but not exactly in the middle of nowhere. ellis park would be located in downtown johannesburg.

http://www.basf-cc.ae/SiteCollectionImages/news/BASF%20Soccer%20Stadium%20in%20SA/Soccer%20City%20exterior%20for%20web.jpg

thats because it was winter and unfortunately johannesburg turns into a big, brown mess in winter. it was sad that the world didn't get to experience south africa in summer as it would have made for an even more colorful world cup.

but even during winter it was an amzing WC for sure!! :cheers::cheers:

for stadiums sure but not for the quality of football.

it reminded me japan/korea 2002 which was quite boring :drool:

But the worst WC ever is italia 90

The mosaic exterior makes this stadium a standout.

for stadiums sure but not for the quality of football.

it reminded me japan/korea 2002 which was quite boring :drool:

But the worst WC ever is italia 90

biased because of the French national team's performance? :lol:

sorry but this WC was soporific!

Even the journalists said no great match there!

sorry but this WC was soporific!

Even the journalists said no great match there!

depends on whose perspective you're looking at it from. i'm sure many german fans will always remember the games against england and argentina as great matches! also, ghana vs. uruguay was one of the most dramatic games in recent world cups.

In my opinion the reason for it being a poor quality World Cup was mainly down to the behaviour of the ball. FIFA should never be allowed to inflict a brand new ball on such an important tournament again, they do it everytime, but this time it was worse than before.

Play with the thing for a 2 year period beforehand so you can judge if it's a pile of crap or not, and subsequently have time to fix it, if it is. But that won't happen as FIFA can't help themselves from meddling with a sport that doesn't really need fixing.

In my opinion the reason for it being a poor quality World Cup was mainly down to the behaviour of the ball. FIFA should never be allowed to inflict a brand new ball on such an important tournament again, they do it everytime, but this time it was worse than before.

Play with the thing for a 2 year period beforehand so you can judge if it's a pile of crap or not, and subsequently have time to fix it, if it is. But that won't happen as FIFA can't help themselves from meddling with a sport that doesn't really need fixing.

the ball was actually so unpredictable because of the huge differences in climate and altitude of all the host cities. the ball will never behave the same in johannesburg as it would in cape town etc. im sure they used a similar version of the ball in the MLS and bundesliga and i never heard any complaints about it? i could be completely wrong though.