Thought I’d share some random thoughts and observances about the game, the reason I’m even here in the first place!

I was able to walk to the game quite easily. Left the hotel shortly after 6:00 and was in my seat shortly after 7:00, after stopping to buy a drink and a commemorative t-shirt.

My seat was in the very top row of my section, affectionately known as the nosebleeds, but it great for several reasons. The view was great, it was breezier up there than in the lower seats, and I was on an end and could easily escape as soon as the final whistle blew.  My seatmate was an older gentlemen who smelled a bit but not horribly so.

The stadium rocks!! There are bathrooms under every section. I used the ladies room two times and was the only person in a bathroom with 20 stalls – it was amazing! Absolutely no waiting – they sure know how to build them here, I wish stadiums in the US would catch up to that design! It was also very clean and everyone very well behaved.

The game was not the most exciting one I’ve ever watched but the goal scored by Christiano Ronaldo to win the match for Portugal was nice. This marks the second time I’ve seen the Czech Republic play, the first time was against the US in the World Cup in Germany in 2006. I really don’t care if I see them play again, they’re not a favorite team for me. First, I don’t really know any of their players except their goalie, Peter Cech. And he has always annoyed me because he wears a ridiculous looking helmet / hat. I’m sure he has a reason, but it’s really ugly and I don’t like it so there you have it. 🙂 I’m glad they advanced instead of the Russians, but the result tonight was fair and the better team absolutely won.

After the game, I had a very easy walk out of the stadium, ahead of most of the folks in my section thanks to my great seat location. More gates were open going out so it was even easier than coming in had been. I passed a line of about 20 police with their German Shepherd police dogs, mouths muzzled, and all I could think was, “awwww, look at the cute puppies…” I’m sure every one of those dogs would have been offended if they could have read my mind, but I really just love animals. Some of them were whining, not sure if it was because they were muzzled or because they were being held in place by their handlers and couldn’t sink their teeth into the people passing by. I choose to believe it was that they didn’t like being muzzled.

Also, they had closed the entire road to cars for roughly a mile and so there was plenty of room for all the pedestrians. There were policemen every 100 yards or so and I never felt unsafe the entire walk back. I am very impressed with the ability of Warsaw to properly plan an event. Very well done.

The ugly Communist relic, the Palace of Culture and Science, was lit up like a rainbow on the way back. I posted a picture on Facebook. It looked quite lovely, I’m sure Stalin is rolling in his grave.

My feet are totally shot. I hope they hold up for my last day tomorrow – lots of walking planned in Old Town and the Zoo.