Trip was fantastic, Barcelona and Santa Margherita Ligure (Italian Riviera, south of Genoa) were great. We also stayed in Milan, which I wasn't too impressed. Needs a major facelift. Obviously not in a modernization way as that would take away from the city itself, but it was generally dirty and graffiti filled. Kind of reminded me of Philadelphia or pre-Giuliani NYC.
We were in SML for Italy-Czech game, which is a very small town on the sea so there weren't a ton of people out for that game. However, the city basically shut down and they did have a TV set up in the town square. Fun to watch the game there. We were in Milan for the Aussie game, watched that game with like 5000 people in the town square in front of the Duomo. Big screen out, that was a GREAT atmosphere to watch the game. The place went ape shit when Totti made the PK, flares, smoke bombs, fire works, all kind of shit. Really quite a lot of fun.
Barcelona was cool too. There seemed to be a lot of people vacationing from everywhere so there was always a partisan crowd at the bar when games were on. Also quite a bit of fun. Unfortunately Barcelona/Catalonya really doesn't give a shit about Spain and couldn't have cared less when Spain played.
Saw that and couldn't believe it. I actually thought he played well against the Aussies but didn't do much against Ukraine. I don't know how anyone else could have been man of the match with the game Zambrotta had, he scored, had an assist, blocked a shot off the line, played left back and right mid. Just absurd that Gattuso would get it in that game. He has played pretty well though. Frankly, the best I recall him ever playing. I do wish he would push the ball up the field more regularly, he gives them a nice and different look when he does. Most of the time he just turns around and kicks it back to Cannavaro.
Cannavaro was been awesome the entire tournament, same with Buffon and Zambrotta. Really wish Nesta were playing. I don't trust Materazzi and would even prefer Barzagli.
