Jacob the Koalaman Flies Off to the World Cup Soccer Madness
(Last updated June 19, 2006)
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We all should know by now that Jacob is completely mad about sports, but who knows? There just might be someone out there among the viewers of this web site who doesn’t know about his irrational fanaticism over all sports played by his beloved Australia. So I am bringing to you a words-and-pictures account of his trip to Germany to watch Australia’s Socceroos play in the game’s biggest event—the 2006 FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup. This year marks the first time in 31 years that the Aussie team has made it into the final playoff rounds of the World Cup, and to someone as rabid about the game and as intensely loyal to Australia as our Jacob, well, failing to be there was just not an option.
Anybody who has watched an Australian team compete in an Olympics probably has seen the green-and-yellow apparition collectively known as the Aussie “Fanatics,” who also faithfully rock up at major tennis matches such as the U.S., Australian and Wimbledon Opens, major golf tours, cricket test matches and other top sporting events. Always dressed in garish outfits featuring the green and gold national colors, the Fanatics can be heard shouting things like “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!” If you haven’t seen them, here are a couple of photos:
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While Jacob is far too independent (and well balanced) to be a member of the “Fanatics,” that doesn’t mean he’s not fanatical enough to talk Alma into making a furry Koala suit for him so he can go to the World Cup matches in which Australia is competing in Germany, dressed as our most famous, cuddly little marsupial. The question is: Will he be able to find enough Eucalyptus leaves in Bavaria to keep himself fed?
Meanwhile, Lisa, who isn’t quite as rabid about soccer, was “standing by her man” on the beaches of Magnetic Island, off Australia’s northern coast, enjoying the sun and surf with daughters Tilly and Eleanor, along with Alma and Bill. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right? We rented a lovely cottage at the appropriately-named Alma Bay and were riveted to the TV set looking for German security officials to frog-march a gray, furry, human-sized critter out of the stadium and turn him over to men in white coats. All we caught was a fleeting glimpse of Jacob in a large town square that looked very German. But we are told by more serious TV watchers and radio listeners that he has been interviewed on TV several times, dressed in his Koala suit, and has appeared almost daily on the Red Symonds morning drivetime talk show on ABC radio. In fact he’s become a regular on Red’s show.
I will try to update this web page with photos of Jacob’s adventures as he keeps us up to date via his mobile phone, news of his support for the Socceroos. Although I’ve been teasing him unmercifully about his costume, I for one admire Jacob’s energy and enthusiasm for sport, and, above all, his love for Australia and its athletes. Remember, we are a small country of barely 20 million people, and we not only compete against countries like the United States, with 300 million people, or China, with 1.3 billion, but we beat them more than we have a right to. So there.
Meanwhile, here are a few pictures of Jacob’s early days in Germany, taken by him with his mobile telephone and sent to Lisa. They are followed by some pictures of his preparations for flying off to Germany.
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The Koalaman and Aussie fans |
Koalaman goes beserk at Games
This photo was intended to show he isn’t the only lunatic at the World Cup games
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Koalaman and a Brazilian lovely |
No words can describe this photograph |
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What is this apparition in the middle? Photos by Jacob Murray-White (and his mates)
An estimated 80,000 Australian soccer fans were reported to have flown to Germany to urge on the Socceroos, who defeated Japan in the first game and gave Games favorite Brazil a fright in the second game by holding Ronaldo and company to one goal until a late second goal gave the Brazilians a 2-0 victory. But soccer commentators everywhere praised the courageous Australian team for showing such a strong performance against the world’s No. 1 soccer team. Next is Croatia for a shot at the next round. |
Why does the Koalaman always have a beer in his paw? |
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Jacob’s competition: a storebought Roo Photo: The Age |
Aussies arrive at Munich Stadium Photo: The Age |
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FIFA World Cup tickets finally arrive! (Lisa photo) |
Now, does this man look content or not? (Lisa photo) |
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Alma fitting the Koala arms onto Jacob |
Tilly seems to think it’s funny |
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But this is serious business, Tilly
“Oh, Koalaman, what big ears you have” |
Well, I don’t think so says Tilly, who lets Daddy know what she thinks of his getup |
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Koalaman gets his final fitting |
What if you had a son-in-law like this? |
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It’s dress rehearsal time for Koalaman as he prepares to jet off to Germany with three coveted tickets to the first round playoff games which the Australian “Socceroos” will be playing. To say that Jacob was excited about fullfilling his lifelong dream of watching an Australian soccer team in a World Cup series would be an understatement. Lisa said she remembers him talking about it when they first met 14 years ago during her semester abroad at the University of Melbourne, and Jacob’s mum, Sally, says he’s always dreamed of going. So, who could deny him that. Bon Voyage, Jacob! |
