Matter of fact
German-Egyptian football fan Nora AbouSteit tells the Weekly why the 2010 World Cup has to come to Egypt
How did the football interest arise?
My football history started with the World Cup a few years ago. I had watched football matches before of course, but I decided at that point that there must be something behind the game that was making so many millions of people around the world so excited. I decided to take the plunge.
And the plunge led to ...
I fell in! (hands wave in the air, lots of laughter). I went all the way, started playing football, got the shoes, got the shorts got the gloves (laughs). I was born and raised in Germany, but I decided to move here eight years ago (on a clarifying tangent). So, since I'm living here now (laughs), I joined the Ramadan football tournaments, as a goalie. I even downloaded the FIFA software for matches and tournaments. I could finally understand the excitement of all these people around the world!!
It rolled on from there...
Khalas (finished)... I know everything there is to know about football (laughs). I'm very excited about the next World Cup in Germany, but I'm even more excited for the World Cup in 2010.
2010?
Yes! Because it will be in Egypt!
Really?
It has to be. Egypt is the number one football country in the world. Egyptians love football, and so you can't have a better audience ever, anywhere else in the world.
Okay, so Germans love football as well, but there is a difference. If you get in an Egyptian cab, the driver will for sure be able to tell you the name of every single German team and all the players!
So you think the World Cup 2010 should come to Egypt...
There is no better country to host the event (seemingly elevates an inch out of seat -- excitement high). Other than the love of football, the famous Egyptian hospitality can't be matched.
And of course the Egyptian love for anything foreign is a very unique thing. And Egypt has so much to offer -- cultural, historic, the beaches. That's why I have been here so long... I came here with the intention of staying just a few months. I have been here eight years!
Egypt versus the world...
I keep hearing people say, 'how will Egypt deal with the World Cup'. Well, I really don't know (laughs). But I know they'll manage. They're very experienced with big games and events. When Ahli and Zamalek play, the entire country is on the streets. I don't see why they can't handle a bigger crowd.
I have to tell you, Egyptian crowds are amazing. When I went to Dubai for the Egypt- Colombia match, they were unbelievable. They were singing, playing the tabla, laughing. It was great! I've been to big games in Germany ... the way the Egyptians cheer is so different. They're much more alive, much more artistic, much friendlier, there's a different unity to the Egyptian crowds. The vibes among them are so positive.
The only thing Egypt has to deal with is the traffic. But I know they can handle it -- they can build triple superhighways or something! They'll find a way.
What if the World Cup doesn't come to Egypt. Will you travel to the hosting nation?
I won't have to, because it's going to come to Egypt, because it has to. It wouldn't make sense if it went anywhere else.
Interview by Yasmine El-Rashidi
