Monday, July 18, 2005
Day 53: Haifa
July 18: Finalised my travel plans for the next few months and took it easy. Went shopping at the weekly markets just outside Haifa (didn't really buy anything though), and then with the Aussie soccer girls headed back to their hotel. Had lunch and relaxed by the pool.
Went to see the Open men's soccer match between Brazil and Israel but a fight erupted round half time (just as we arrived) as two guys from Brazil were red-carded, prompting a huge brawl between the two teams... so much so that the referees called off the match, the Israelis left pretty quickly, and consequently Brazil has been thrown out of the competition, and effectively disqualified, ending up at 17th position. Today's match was a semi-final, so they lost their chance at being in the top 4. Nothing like a little excitement for the day!
Got to see the Maccabi Haifa under 18 team train nearby too.
Dinner with the team at the hotel, and relaxed with people from other country's soccer teams too in the bar/lobby area. Went out to a pub later in the evening (The Bear Pub)... but a very quiet and relaxing day.
Thanks for the phonecalls for those I spoke to too!
Went to see the Open men's soccer match between Brazil and Israel but a fight erupted round half time (just as we arrived) as two guys from Brazil were red-carded, prompting a huge brawl between the two teams... so much so that the referees called off the match, the Israelis left pretty quickly, and consequently Brazil has been thrown out of the competition, and effectively disqualified, ending up at 17th position. Today's match was a semi-final, so they lost their chance at being in the top 4. Nothing like a little excitement for the day!
Got to see the Maccabi Haifa under 18 team train nearby too.
Dinner with the team at the hotel, and relaxed with people from other country's soccer teams too in the bar/lobby area. Went out to a pub later in the evening (The Bear Pub)... but a very quiet and relaxing day.
Thanks for the phonecalls for those I spoke to too!
# posted by mishij @ 3:50 PM 
