The best places to experience the World Cup were at the local bars and the Fan Park (area for public viewing). In a normal local bar where I watched Germany v. Italy (5 July), the German fans were all very excited at the start, cheering and chanting all the time. But as the match progressed, the fans became more tense as the local team was not making much inroads. Italy’s 2 goals in the last 2 minutes sank everyone’s hearts as the locals sat stunned in disbelief. Many fans were only in a mood to return home early. The next day I watched France v. Portugal at a Portuguese bar. Although Portugal lost, some of its fans were not too bothered and continued chatting and drinking after the game. What a contrast in the fans’ reactions. I watched the final at the Fan Park. No surprise that the Italian fans were the most jubilant after the win, but the poor Germans were disappointed once again because they mostly supported France and hoped that France would deliver the just revenge. So why did I