Boca Juniors 3 - 2 Velez Sarsfield

The last day in South America, a sad day without a doubt. How better to spend it than at a football match! We arrived in the 57,000 capacity staduim just over 2 hours before kick off and were pleased (well I was at least) to see that a reserve match was already underway as a warm-up to the main event, sort of like a warm band for the main event at a gig. Why they don't do this in the Premiership I have no idea. Looks-wise the place didn't come close to the mighty St. James', but for atmosphere I think Boca just pipped it.

The staduim slowly filled to pretty much maximum and the game finally got underway. Boca Juniors are reknowned for their fanatical following, the atmosphere always guaranteed to be electric regardless of who they're playing. Both sides of the ground are seated stands, but the ends (where we were) were still terraces. It resulted in the loudest ground I've ever been in, where the stand actually shakes when the entire ground jumps in time to the constant singing. Quite the carnival.

All aboard the fun bus. Toot-toot. Beep-beep.

Anyway, the match was quite dull throughout the first half. Boca let 2 in and had a man send off before half time, but the standard of football was pretty poor if you ask me (and yes, my skills are good enough to judge). The fans didn't seemed to be bothered mind, the party continued on regardless, it even amplified when they concided.

However the second half was BRILLIANT. Sarsfield got a bloke sent off as well and the momentum returned to Boca, topping the match off with a crackin' stike to win the game about 2 minutes from time. The crowd at this point went mental. Being on the terraces was more like being in a mosh-pit when they scored. Totally totally totally awesome.

Boca Juniors got their colours from the Swedish Flag. Stone wall fact.

As it was Emma's first ever match I think she got a bit daunted at first, but was won over in the end by the sheer party atmosphere. Fun times.

Tango 1, Football 4 me thinks. A fair overall scoreline.

Now we´re off to New Zealand, land of Kiwi´s, kiwi-fruit and sheep. On paper the flight appears to last 6 hours, actually lasts 13 hours, but technically takes 2 days. Work that one out at your own peril. When some worldwide phenomenom happens on the 2nd October 2006, many people in the future will ask me where I was for such an occurrance. My answer will be simple "I didn´t exist". Magic or what? Smoke and mirrors no doubt.

Leaving, on a jetplane....