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It’s a party!

The World Cup takes Panama

The World Cup takes Panama

The World Cup in South Africa has given Panama a serious case of soccer fever. At almost every intersection, vendors are selling flags and jerseys. For one month, the world will battle to be the #1 team. Since soccer is the most popular sport in the world and the World Cup comes around only every four years, emotions run high. Even those who are not die-hard soccer fans get caught up in the excitement.

The series of games begins today, Friday June 11 and will finish on July 11. Since the games are going to be played half-way around the world, many matches will take place in the morning and some in the afternoon.

Part of the excitement will be the fact that many fans will flock to their favorite restaurant or bar at 9:00 a.m. to cheer on their favorite teams. The day and the hour do not matter, as Panamanians love a good party. Weekend games that take place in the afternoon are sure to have a good turnout. Also note that teams such as Argentina, Brazil and Italy have big followings locally.

A noteworthy place to catch the games is at the Bennigan’s Tavern inside Extreme Planet on Balboa Avenue, with its giant indoor screen, but count on many places featuring the games. Here is a calendar of the games. On local television, TV Max Channel 9 and RPC Channel 4 will alternate transmission.

Group A

South Africa vs. Mexico Friday, June 11 9:00 a.m.
Uruguay vs. France Friday, June 11 1:30 p.m.
South Africa vs. Uruguay Wednesday, June 16 1:30 p.m.
France vs. Mexico Thursday, June 17 1:30 p.m.
Mexico vs. Uruguay Tuesday, June 22 9:00 a.m.
France vs. South Africa Tuesday, June 22 9:00 a.m.

Group B

Nigeria vs. Argentina Saturday, June 12 9:00 a.m.
Republic of Korea vs. Greece Saturday June 12 6:30 a.m.
Greece vs. Nigeria Thursday, June 17 9:00 a.m.
Republic of Korea vs. Argentina Thursday, June 17 6:30 a.m.
Nigeria vs. Republic of Korea Tuesday, June 22 1:30 p.m.
Ghana vs. Argentina Tuesday, June 22 1:30 p.m.

Group C

England VS USA Saturday, June 12 1:30 p.m.
Algeria VS Slovenia Sunday, June 13 6:30 a.m.
Slovenia vs. United States Wednesday, June 16 9:00 a.m.
Algeria VS England Wednesday, June 16 1:30 p.m.
Slovenia vs. England Wednesday, June 23 9:00 a.m.
United States VS Algeria Wednesday, June 23 9:00 a.m.

Group D

Germany vs. Australia Sunday, June 13 1:30 p.m.
Serbia VS Ghana Sunday, June 13 9:00 a.m.
Germany vs Serbia Friday, June 18 9:00 a.m.
Ghana vs. Australia Saturday, June 19 9:00 a.m.
Ghana vs. Germany Wednesday, June 23 1:30 p.m.
Serbia vs. Australia Wednesday, June 23 1:30 p.m.

Group E

Denmark vs Netherlands Monday, June 14 6:30 a.m.
Cameroon vs. Japan Monday, June 14 9:00 a.m.
Netherlands vs. Japan Saturday, June 19 6:30 a.m.
Cameroon vs. Denmark Saturday, June 19 1:30 p.m.
Denmark vs. Japan Thursday, June 24 1:30 p.m.
Netherlands vs Cameroon Thursday, June 24 1:30 p.m.

Group F

Italy vs. Paraguay Monday, June 14 1:30 p.m.
New Zealand vs. Slovakia Tuesday, June 15 9:00 a.m.
Slovakia vs. Paraguay Sunday, June 20 6:30 a.m.
New Zealand vs. Italy Sunday, June 20 9:00 a.m.
Slovakia vs. Italy Thursday, June 24 9:00 a.m.
Paraguay vs. New Zealand Thursday, June 24 9:00 a.m.

Group G

Portugal vs. Ivory Coast Tuesday, June 15 9:00 a.m.
Brazil vs. Korea Tuesday, June 15 1:30 p.m.
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast Sunday, June 20 1:30 p.m.
DPR Korea vs. Portugal Monday, June 21 6:30 a.m.
Portugal vs. Brazil Friday, June 25 9:00 a.m.
DPR Korea vs. Ivory Coast Friday, June 25 9:00 a.m.

Group H

Chile vs. Honduras Wednesday, June 16 6:30 a.m.
Spain vs. Switzerland Wednesday, June 16 9:00 a.m.
Chile vs. Switzerland Monday, June 21 9:00 a.m.
Spain vs. Honduras Monday, June 21 1:30 p.m.
Chile vs. Spain Friday, June 25 1:30 p.m.
Switzerland vs. Honduras Friday, June 25 1:30 p.m.