FIFA World Cup nostalgia

Feel it; it is here – the end of the FIFA World Cup. It is that moment when you give a last nostalgic toot on your plastic vuvuzela before hanging it up with your other World Cup memorabilia – like the beer stained t-shirt you wore when Andres Iniesta scored Spain’s winning goal, or your orange cap covered in bite marks from an irate Brazilian fan you happened to share a table with in the pub.

Before we can all return to the mundane world of work there are a few matters to take care of. Firstly, you need to run through every special World Cup moment and retell it in ever expanding detail, until the 2010 legends are firmly cast in oral history. Let’s not forget Maradona’s field side theatrics, and Gabriel Heinzen getting knocked out by a camera, or that sweet crying North Korean.
Secondly, of course, there is the future of Paul the Octopus to consider. What will happen to this eight-legged psychic who took some of the fun out of the final with his 100% accurate prediction record? Apparently angry German fans feel betrayed by the Octopus for predicting their loss against Spain, and they have put a price on his clever head. Fortunately, Paul is now safely retired and as he enters old age he will be spending the last months of his three-year lifespan contemplating the glory of his youth and predicting great events for the future in the silent obscurity of his tank. No doubt there are many lottery players who would be quite happy to offer him an alternative refuge.

And finally we have to congratulate the real champion of this tournament, the underdog that so few expected to succeed: the 2010 World Cup host nation, South Africa. Sepp Blatter gave South Africa a nine-out-of-ten thumbs-up. It's no wonder South African's are still celebrating. They did it. And they did it well. The sceptics should perhaps have consulted Paul the Octopus.

So now that the games are over, displaying nostalgic memorabilia, telling blow-by-blow 2010 stories or taking a long holiday to Cape Town are some options for stopping the thrills of the World Cup from fading. But there is an even better way to reminisce as our football-inspired game, Footy Fanatics, is here to stay as a way to keep the spirit of the beautiful game alive.

Take your chance and join the champions to score big with Footy Fanatics’ free spin feature (level 1). This way you can tie up all the loose strings of the FIFA World Cup, say good-bye to an unforgettable tournament, and still let football fever simmer away for as long as you like, spin after winning spin.

FIFA World Cup 2010: Durban

Durban is the home of the Moses Mabhida Stadium which was built as a multi-purpose venue to host the Soccer World Cup and other sporting events in the future. The really interesting thing about this stadium is the giant, free-standing arch which towers above it.

The arch is a symbol of the divisions that previously existed in the country and of how people have come together as a new and whole community of South Africa. More than just a symbol, this arch has functional purposes as well; most importantly in providing support for the stadiums cover to enclose the field. However, it offers some other exciting features too.

On one side you can take a trip in a funicular up to the view platform situated at the highest point of the arch. For those who are fit and energetic, you also have the option to climb the 550 steps of the "adventure walk" from the other side of the arch.

And, for those who have a real spirit of adventure and enjoy a good adrenaline rush, you can enjoy one of the biggest swings in the world! That's right, it is possible to jump in a sort of bungi-style swing from the fourth rung of the arch structure. I don't know about you, but I had to see it to believe it!




Although, I don't think I'll be doing that any time soon - I'd much rather stick to the beach as Durban is well known for it's beaches, warm water and surfing and has even hosted international surfing and other water-sports related events.