A late newsletter again, but I've just finished a 4 and a half week tour of Brazil and Chile and the passion and excitement of the former country is unbelievable.  People walk their dogs down the street with the dogs wearing Brazil jerseys, hats and even boots ! When the Squad was announced for Germany the streets were empty and we sat and watched the naming in a cafe with people round us groaning and cheering as each name was announced. When the game against New Zealand was played the streets everywhere were empty and with friends we watched the game in a small bar in Buzios.The people in the bar sang parts of the national anthem everytime Brazil scored, and the national paper the next day devoted three pages to the game with full details and history on every New Zealander( I kept it but out hotel cleaners through them out).
  All the shops.. and I mean all.....are decked out in jerseys, streamers, flags, anything soccer. And being Australian, everywhere I went I was asked what I thought the score between the two nations would be( and that included on a Southern Brazil  live Radio show and national television when i was interviewed at the Maracana )......my answer was 1-0 to Australia , which got either a laugh or the comment from a staff member at the Maracana ' you are dreaming'
                                            Futsal wise Brazil has two big tournaments coming up. In 2007 the Pan American Games will be played in Rio and Futsal for the first time is part of it. In 2008 Brazil host the Futsal World Cup, which will be played in the north of Brazil in Forteleza or Natal. With the chance of both New Zealand and Australia being able to qualify through two different confederations, it could be the best World Cup ever for all Vikings supporters to visit.      

                                                                             Alistair

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