Danielle the football fanatic.

Everyone in Ireland is a football fanatic- in fact, the entire WORLD is crazy about football. Every child owns a soccer ball and knows how to play. You see them in droves, each kicking a ball. It doesn't matter if they're playing in their yard, playing an actual game, or just walking to school-they're all kicking soccer balls! Why this sport has not caught on in the States like it has in the rest of the world is really quite surprising. While millions watch the Superbowl....billions watch the World Cup. Almost every night since I've been here there is a football match on tv.

They actually have a neat system with all the local pubs in town. Together they sit down and divide up the games so that each game gets played each night at a different bar. This allows each team's fans to enjoy the game all together. I, personally, am rooting for Italy. I intend to pick up an Italy jersey when I visit there in a few weeks. Of course my first pick was the States, but after watching them fall to Ghana last week, I decided to go with Italy as my second choice. Ireland didn't qualify for the world cup this year to mine and the rest of the country's disappointment. They actually have a really funny McDonald's commercial about it. It goes: "Ireland didn't qualify for the world cup this year...but Togo did....Feeling unfulfilled? Have a big mac..." he he he. It always makes me laugh.

All this football fun is contagious. I now understand a game that I've never even really thought about before and I'm loving it. I have now probably watched more football games (soccer) than American football games, lol. I secretly rejoiced with the rest of Ireland when England was eliminated Saturday (The Irish love to see the English defeated). =) Now, on to the rest of the games. Go Italy!!