The national anthem and I bet Ollie Hinz is blubbering like a baby right now. The atmosphere in the pub is electric.

 Right, this place has gone completely nuts to stone cold silence, back to off the wall again in the first 20 mins. What a start to a World Cup and surely there are loads of goals still left in this game. My mobile service is going haywire as the entire nations reaches for their mobiles so if you don't hear from me that's why!

Has anyone ever seen an opening game like this...I don't give a dam about the purists...let's see goals galore...defending...it's overrated unless you happen to be a coach!

Peep, peep half-time and finally we can all exhale. It' been a tense, yet explosive 1st 45 mins. It's obvious the Tico's can't defend a lick especially down the left hand side, while Klinsmann's high line of defence looks vunerable to the trickery of Wanchope.

With power dangerously low and no outlets available in the square, I'll probably be off until I get back to the hotel...hang in there.

Peep, peep full time and an opening game that will live long in the memory. As you can imagine there were scenes of delirium around the bars and fan fest and I will go out on a limb and state that Cologne wil be in for a long night of celebration.

Instead of heading back to the hotel, though, I've stopped by the headquarters of ARD, the biggest TV station in Germany were my good friend Boris Inanici works. Boris and his co-workers reside on the 5th floor affording tremendous views of the city and of course some fine German hospitality.

With a huge TV showing the Poland/Ecuador match it makes blogging very pleasant. So with that I'll sign off for now and prep for Ticket to Germany and the FSWR.