Well 24 hours later an I am on the night shift in work....still knackered.
I don't normally write these as I am not the sentimental sort however here we go (and no pics as usual)
My World Cup started off with a visit from my old mate Jorn, which was unexpected up until 2 weeks before the event, so poor Mel went into proper housewife mode, even painting the kitchen for his arrival!
But it was a great way to start the WC weekend, we went out to a few touristy places, had a few beers, and I had a great time and my kids loved him even more. We ended up visiting York to see some Gay Vikings. I have never been to york, but it was pretty good, we even got a 'keepsake' photo of me attacking him with an Axe - good days
Travelled down to the WC on the train which introduced our Norweigan friend to the joys of British Rail...in fact anything with British in the name you can guarantee will be pretty shit, as we tend to keep the term 'English' for the good stuff...ie English Breakfast....But we made it to the KOA hotel ok even with the best attempts of British Rail and their 'points failures' trying to stop us - the Irony being that the points failures didn't stop me, but I had a few failures to get points during the weekend in return.
Got to the hotel and have to say apart from it getting pretty hot, it was a good choice of venue, a good breakfast (well for the KOA-ers anyway as we ate all the Bacon and Sausages and left one poor gentleman complaining that he WASNT a vegitarian!)
Had a good night on Friday and Saturday, the meal was excellent, and I somehow managed to get thru the Key Lime pie...feck me it was alsmost as big as Gianni's trophy cabinet!
Sat night was good fun bowling, I can honestly say I really fancy Fairies and Dororthy out of the Wizard of oz, but not sure why
Walked back with Jorn and we bumped into the Germans in a VERY working Class british Pub! I have no idea why they chose it, but we went for a beer and a Jaegermeister and then CASINO!! I am glad I helped my friends (espeically Jorg and Jorn) win lots of money by GIVING the casino all my money in exchange
However I think I need confirmation from the boys in the Casino whether that big Thai lady watching us play Roulette was actually a bloke or not (as I am 100% sure she was......) Gladly none of the gang took a liking to her, so we will never know for sure...phew!
It was fking awesome to meet so many older faces, and the regulars. In particualy Gianni who is definately the nicest Italian I have ever met (apart from possibly Alessandro!) and most likely the nicest Human I have met at the same time, just a nice guy and a worth champ who's English is now better than most of the UK KOA'ers. Obviously meeting the usual assortment of Criminals Robert, Steve, Alkopop, Rodolfo, Sid, Waynie, Sutty, Simon 1 and Simon 2, Garry and Evil Steve is always a joy, but people like Andy G who I had not met before was even better.
Nice to see Simon's Bruvva again after so many years (and this time we didn't need to paint our faces to have a good time) and obviously the man himself Mr S.Screech and Cameron...great double act and blatantly looks over 18
Great to meet the German Contingent again, Jorg and Peter (1 and 2) are always a good laugh, and the rest of the gang from Italy and Austria and the rest of the world....I realise I am probably going to lose this post when I send so have to cut down a few names.
The only downside of the attendees was 2 people who I think very highly of, obviously Nikos being one of them and the other being the ever so evil but well dressed Spyros who was left a a gaping hole in the weekend
But less sadness....
As for the games themselves. Day 1 I really thought I out-did myself. I had two close(ish) battles with Micheal Ma (who deservedly won in the end) but I did feel that I could possibly catch him somehow (which would be a shock, and probably unfair) but sadly I drew a couple of games I felt I maybe could have won and finished 5th in the group...which was still pretty good.
High point of the day has to be the 6-5 Loss to Steve Camber....I was leading with not long to go, and have NEVER beten this tw*t before. It was a good game tho, I like Steve, but would love him if he let me win more often!
Had a few 'sorry' moments, and also I believe I score the BEST goal of the whole event when Alkis's defender scored an OG from a free kick he won in his own 6 yard box....SCREAMER!!
I picked up 6 points from my really good friend (yes Steve he is nicer than you) Waynie. He seems to really really hate me at KO2, its funny as fuck tho as he just cannot beat me and I love it coz he is such a scummy player against the rest of you, its like a little piece of Karma I can give back to the KOA
Sadly on Day2 my heart wasn't in it, I was tired and maybe missing the girls at home and just didn't have that 'win or die' attitude.
I have a few excellent games against Sid, which he won but were close, and what I thought was a real turning point when Wayne had finally beaten me....only for me to pull back from 3-1, then 4-2 to 4-4 in the dying minutes....
After that tho I lost all my 'appetite' and finished very very low overall, not winning a single game after that point
I had really hoped Jorn could win the Silver cup this year, but as he was playing Jorg it was a close call on who I would support...and obviously great that Jorg could win in the end as he is a great player.
Finally I got my award from you all, which I will honour (or maybe use as a frizbee if I get a dog) for ever and ever, I was really touched...I actually feel more touched today thinking back.....so before I have another cry thanks again!
I also believe I may know the location of the 2012 World Cup and let me just say that 'I AM THERE' if the location is true
God speed to you all, and thanks for making the past few days so fricking enjoyable again, I hate you all coz I would like to not have to turn up each November but you keep fecking up my plans so looks like I will be around (propping up the tables, the bars and the chipstacks of the hotels) for a few more years yet
Oh and I have finally ordered a new Comp Pro, I am going to be Elite next year so Bring it on
)
