Toasted sammies and Italians for breakfast

Two Kiwis, two Italians and one guy from Mana walk into a bar.

It’s not a joke, apart from the fact I’m up at 2am on a Monday and it’s not to put the cat out.

The bar is Betty’s and we’re there to see the All Whites enter a fame warp by pulling off a win against the World Cup champions Italy.

“AZZURI AZZURI AZZZZUUUUUURRRRRIII!” holler my European chums.

The chap from Mana leads a counter chant, high-fiving everyone as we vocally drown the Azzuri fans.

It doesn’t happen. The win at least … BUT WE DREW 1-1! We all dreamed of big things against the odds and this is as big as it has ever been for lil’ NZ.

This game was big for the lads from the Land of the Long White Boot, and it was mahahassive for the All Whites too who are rapidly picking up steam as prodigal sons of the nation.

As Simon Elliot noted in his Sunday Star Times column about peeing into a cup after the Slovakia game, there’s more people watching the football now than ever before.

This mornings game continues their ascendency to Valhalla.

The numbers are turning out despite the chronic scheduling issues.

Businesses are worried about lack of productivity from tired workers, traffic police are expecting drivers to doze off on the morning commute, and neighbourhood dogs are getting bleary-eyed owners forgetting their dog roll in the morning.

This morning’s match kicked off at 2am, and on Friday the Paraguay game starts at the same time. After today you can bet there’ll be a surge to see what we can do with the pesky South Americans.

Last night  the biggest question was where to watch it. Opting not to have a telly does have its downsides at times. But it didn’t take long to figure out where to go.

I asked at a few Italian places, but they shook their heads and muttered something resembling a Napolitan mafia curse under their breath (there could be a few death glares today too, better stick to talking about the weather, it is far rosier).

The council has combined efforts with a media company to pop the big screen on down at Queens Wharf, which showed this morning’s game and will screen the Paraguay match on Friday.

Betty’s was a fine spot to watch, with their projectors running a alrge screen on every wall and the barstaff doing a mix of toasted sandwiches tea and coffee and beer (what do you drink at 2am on a Monday?).

The Establishment was touting the football, and Four Kings has been reportedly packed for the early games. Makes sense given they have 70 screens in the place.

Numerous other venues are bound to be picking up the early morning vibe around town, I haven’t managed to pin them all down, but Courtenay Place was hopping at this very odd (but ultimately fabulous) hour.

Where were you watching and where would you recommend for Friday?