My bags were packed, boots polished, jerseys neatly folded. One by one the national team managers announced their squads for the World Cup last week. One by one they reeled off the names, the stars, the personalities; most of whom will be travelling to South Africa for the great party which kicks off in 22 days’ time.

I couldn’t wait to join them. Like an excited puppy on Puppies’ Day, I waited for my name to be called out. I’d been waiting four years for this moment. Since watching the great Zidane walk, head-bowed, past the trophy down the tunnel of Olympiastadion during that fateful final in Berlin, I couldn’t wait to appear on the same stage. “Oh Zizou! I wanna be like Zou too!”

With just 23 days left until the World Cup begins, we thought it was about time to fire up the Young Germany World Cup Blog.  We’ve got writers who will be reporting on World Cup happenings from Pakistan, Ghana, South Africa, Japan, and, of course, Germany.

Our first World Cup blogger is an Irish fellow who fell for Berlin and hasn’t looked back.  Check back tomorrow for his first post. 

Der Irische Berliner, the newest member of the Young Germany World Cup Blogging Team

Irish in Berlin

Ciarán Fahey came to Berlin on St. Patrick’s Day 2008, to live, love, and learn all there was to be lived, loved, and learned in this wonderful city. And for Kürbiskernbrot.