Provisional government calculations show that the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa has generated almost ten billion euro in revenue. According to the Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad, foreign visitors’ hotel accommodation, domestic flights, trips, souvenirs etc. accounted for around 1.2 billion euro. Visa recorded 65% more electronic payments (approx. 51,000 transactions a day) during the first three weeks of June.
According to a spokesperson for the South African government, one of the tournament’s main merits was the fact that it boosted confidence in South Africa both internationally and locally. Moreover, local businesses and South African consumers have gained more confidence in the country’s economy. Recent data from the South African Chamber of Commerce revealed that the South African consumer confidence index had risen from 82 to 84.8 points between May and the first week of July.
The South African government predicts that in the years to come, tourism—which accounts for 8.2% of the gross domestic product—will benefit the most from the tournament. “The FIFA World Cup™ showed billions of people all over the world what South Africa has to offer, for example in terms of tourism. We expect to see the fruits of this event in the years to come”, said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African Minister of Tourism, in a speech earlier this week.
This is confirmed by several studies. A FIFA World Cup™ survey carried out by the Western Cape provincial government, one of South Africa’s main tourist destinations, shows that 98% of respondents would return to South Africa. Two thirds of these indicated that they would bring friends and family who had stayed at home.
A survey carried out by research agency African Response shows the same result. “More than 92% of the 755 people we interviewed indicated that they would recommend South Africa to friends and family back home”, explained Beatrice Kubheka, Managing Director. “What’s more, 96% would like to return. That’s great news for our future as a holiday and investment destination.” (Source: Het Financieele Dagblad)
Wesley Sneijder has been awarded a place on FIFA’s World Cup All-Star Team. This team is named by visitors to the website of FIFA, football’s world governing body.
World champion Spain is represented by no less than six players, while the Spanish national coach Vicente Del Bosque was voted trainer of the All-Star Team.
Sneijder won his place in the All-Star Team by an impressive margin. The Dutch team’s top scorer in South Africa, with five goals to his credit, received 60 percent of votes for the position of attacking midfielder.
The only player to earn a place on the team in an even more resounding manner was Spanish striker David Villa. Uruguay player Diego Forlán, the winner of the Golden Ball as best player in the tournament, is on the team as well.
Andrés Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands, stands alongside Sneijder in the midfield.
The All-Star Team of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain);
Defenders: Philipp Lahm (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Maicon (Brazil) and Sergio Ramos (Spain);
Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Andrés Iniesta (Spain) and Xavi (Spain);
Strikers: David Villa (Spain) and Diego Forlán (Uruguay).
Coach: Vicente Del Bosque (Spain).
(ANP)
On Tuesday, about 700,000 fans paid an unforgettable tribute to the Dutch national team. To begin with the Orange fans gathered on the banks of the Amsterdam canals, along which the players and staff made a two-hour boat tour. The fans received them with loud cheering and hooting to congratulate them on their place in the final of the FIFA World Cup™.
The party then moved to Museumplein, where some 200,000 fans were waiting to thank the players for their fantastic performance in South Africa. Here, Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst introduced the entire team to the audience. Wesley Sneijder had nothing but praise for the fans: “We may not be world champions, but we sure have the best fans in the world!”
Earlier that day, the players and staff had a meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Queen Beatrix, during which national coach Bert van Marwijk and captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst were knighted.
A set by DJ Armin van Buuren provided the perfect conclusion to the party, after which the fans quietly headed home.
In South Africa, Spain joined the illustrious club of FIFA World Cup™ winners by beating the Netherlands in extra time (1-0). Just like France in 2000, Spain is now both European and world champion.
Spain started as the best team, but the Netherlands restored the balance and turned into the stronger team after half-time. Robben managed to break through twice, but couldn’t get past keeper Casillas.
After regular time, the score was still tied at 0-0 in a match that wasn’t going to get any prizes for attractive play. Ninety minutes into the game, referee Howard Webb had already awarded nine yellow cards.
The parade of fouls continued in extra time. Heitinga got a second yellow card and was sent off. Four minutes before the final whistle, Andrés Iniesta slipped through the off-side trap and scored the only goal of the match. This was the Netherlands’ third defeat in a FIFA World Cup™ final.
The day before the final I visit Soweto, the once perilous slum area ‘Southern Western Township’. Since my last visit two years ago, most neighbourhoods have undergone a major facelift.
Back then Maponya Mall, the super modern shopping centre with all major brands under one roof, had already opened its doors, but today there are hardly any shacks to be seen. There is even an area exclusively for villas – all equipped with double garage doors. It’s a clear sign that the up-and-coming black middle class is growing.
I drive though Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize Winners, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. The street is very busy – I find myself surrounded by a tourist coach, singing ice-cream vendors and above all policemen.
Later I realise why: “Sepp Blatter is about to come and visit Mandela House,” explains a white policeman with a star on his shoulder. “Get in the car and follow me,” he says.
I make two right turns and stop in front of a large gate, right behind the policeman. “This is where Winnie Mandela lives,” says the Chief of Police. “Blatter is invited for coffee.
Follow me.” I wonder what has got into the policeman. Why would he invite me? However, Mandela’s bodyguards don’t want anyone looking over their shoulders and the gate is quickly closed. “Then we’ll just have a coffee around the block,” the policeman suggests, or rather orders. Sounds good to me.
François Colin, Media Relations Officer van The HollandBelgium Bid, is in South Africa. He is blogging about his adventures in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
My last day at the Cape. The only way to get back to Johannesburg on Wednesday was to catch an 8 p.m. flight. I decided to spend the day in the vineyards. First, I drove to Hout Bay and then via Constantia back to Cape Town.
Before I dropped down to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, I decided to drive to Bloubergstrand. There you can get an unparalleled view of Cape Town and Table Mountain.
Once I had got to Stellenbosch, it was time for lunch. A friend had recommended the Big Easy in Dorpstraat and it turned out to be an excellent recommendation. The Pinotage was superb and I headed off to Franschhoek in high spirits.
I was surprised to see that even the restaurants and wineries in chic Franschhoek had entered into the footballing spirit. The Graham Beck winery – known for its vonkelwijn, the South African equivalent of champagne – was showing its allegiances flying both the South African and Dutch flags.
The sun slowly set as I left Franschhoek. The airport was full of supporters in orange football shirts. My plane had been delayed by two hours… never in my life, had I been so happy about a delayed flight. I got to watch a good amount of the Germany-Spain match.
I greeted yet another postponement of the flight with internal jubilation. At five past ten, the passengers were urged to get on board. Just as the stub of my boarding ticket was being torn off, I heard the cheers.
Tormenting, but flights wait for no one. Fortunately, the pilot kept us abreast of the situation. It was noticeable that principally the Dutch were applauding the Spanish victory!
François Colin, Media Relations Officer van The HollandBelgium Bid, is in South Africa. He is blogging about his adventures in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
After beating Uruguay, the Netherlands have won a place in the final of the FIFA World Cup™ 2010, to be played on Sunday at Soccer City against the winner of the match between Germany and Spain. This is the third time the Dutch team has played in a FIFA World Cup™ final. They were the runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups™.
Just before halfway through the first half, the Dutch team went ahead with a cracking shot by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Maarten Stekelenburg was unfortunately surprised by a long shot from Diego Forlán five minutes before the half-time whistle.
Rafael van der Vaart completed the so-called ‘Big Four’ after half-time, but Uruguay was initially the most dangerous team in this half. The match all came together for the team coached by van Marwijk after a glancing shot by Wesley Sneijder. Arjen Robben removed all doubt by heading in the ball passed to him by Dirk Kuyt. The Uruguayan goal scored by Pereira in injury time just came too late (3-2).
Tonight the Netherlands-Uruguay match is on. But this morning I want to go to Robben Island. Unfortunately, it’s too windy. There are no boats sailing.
I have a lunch appointment with Michel D’Hooghe, the Belgian member of the Executive Committee of FIFA. We meet at the V & A Waterfront, in the Belgian restaurant De Anker.
There’s an orange banner above the front door of De Anker: ‘Belgium for Holland for once’, is the message it bears. “But surely twice”, I find myself thinking.
The staff have put on orange shirts for the occasion. There are a lot of guests from the Netherlands. A few sound their vuvuzelas. The atmosphere is fantastic and the decor impressive. From our table I have a spectacular view of the port and Table Mountain. What a pity that the FIFA World Cup™ is over for Cape Town after the semi-finals!
A couple of Dutch folk ask for my prediction: ”I think that Green Point Stadium will soon be renamed Robben Island”, I say. Someone who thinks further than the end of his nose; that they hadn’t expected from a Belgian.
François Colin, Media Relations Officer van The HollandBelgium Bid, is in South Africa. He is blogging about his adventures in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
It’s getting a bit quieter now at the FIFA World Cup™. Another four matches and it’s all over. Time to see a bit of South Africa.
I decide to drive to the Cape of Good Hope. I see all the classic places on the way: the colourful beach huts in Muizenberg, the fishing boats and the fish market in Kalk Bay and the statue of the sailor’s dog in Simon’s Town.
The next stop is Boulders Beach. The beach is the domain of the penguins. Yes, penguins in South Africa. Just as I’m entering the nature reserve, a well-known figure is striding in the opposite direction: Mick Jagger.
The paparazzo in me rises to the bait and I quickly try to snap a photo. But the bodyguard of the Rolling Stones lead singer is not amused and lurches dangerously in my direction. Sheer intimidation, because at less than a metre from me he turns on his heel. The photo was already taken.
I drive to Cape Point with childish glee. It’s unbelievably busy there. ”It’s winter, but even in summer there aren’t usually as many people as this,” says the woman selling the tickets for the funicular. ”You can ride up with the train, but you’ll have to walk back down. We can’t get everyone down before closing time.”
The Flying Dutchman carries me up. Just another 124 steps to climb and then the views are unrivalled. Football fans have taken over the Cape. All around me, I see Dutch, Argentinian, German and Brazilian shirts, but a man in sunglasses catches my eye. Could Mick Jagger be here too?
François Colin, Media Relations Officer van The HollandBelgium Bid, is in South Africa. He is blogging about his adventures in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
Spain has reached the final of the FIFA World Cup™ and will be facing the Netherlands in Soccer City on Sunday evening. It is the first time in history that Spain has reached the final of a FIFA World Cup™. It is also the first time ever that a European team will become world champion outside of Europe
The Spain-Germany match in Durban was a closely contended match that was ultimately decided by an amazing header from Barcelona’s captain, Carles Puyol (1–0). Spain will be at a disadvantage in the final, if you believe in statistics. No team that lost its opening match has ever won the FIFA World Cup™.
Germany will be playing against Uruguay in Port Elizabeth on Saturday for third place.
Provisional government calculations show that the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa has generated almost ten billion euro in revenue. According to the Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad, foreign visitors’ hotel accommodation, domestic flights, trips, souvenirs etc. accounted for around 1.2 billion euro. Visa recorded 65% more electronic payments (approx. 51,000 transactions a day) during the first three weeks of June.
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