These giant footballs were part of a display in South Africa at the beginning of the 2010 World Cup. Photo (cc) flickr user warrenski

These giant footballs lined a South African street at the start of the World Cup this June, each a representative of one of the famous FIFA cup balls.  In Germany, another giant football is on the streets: a hand-stitched football covered in hand-written well wishes for Germany’s football team.

Unveiled in Berlin the day after the World Cup began in June, the giant football has passed through Berlin’s streets and stopped in public places for fans to write words of encouragement and support for the German team who, sadly, lost against Spain last night, thus putting them out of the running for the cup this year.