At Hotel

Luckly (?) we stayed at the same hotel with the teams, I would like to write little about happenings at the hotel.

Saturday, 10 July
Spanish players were hanging around the lobby on the ground floor.   Fortunately we were able to see Rafa Pascual.  On the contrary, we didn't see any Italian players.  Later we found out that Italy and Russia teams arrived one day before. Maybe they already got bored hanging around the lobby.  Usually we see Brazilian players very often in the lobby, but we didn't see any of them.  I guessed they might have not arrived yet.  And I was right.  They arrived later in the night.

It was really impressive to meet all Argentine players again since last November.  Some of them knew I was coming to Argentine to see their games so they gave me nice welcome.  Rest of them who didn't know I was coming looked surprised when they saw me, however, they also welcomed me.  Only one player (I don't disclose the name) knew I was there, but he went to the gym directly without showing up.  The situations reversed this time.  I always wait for them and welcome, but this time I visit their country and be welcomed.  It was quite interesting.

There was still one day before the tournament began so both players and staff looked still relaxed.
While I was talking with one of Argentine players, Rafa came up with his teammate of Cuneo, Mastrangelo(ITA).  Rafa and Quaini were talking for a while in their native tongue Spanish so that I couldn't understand at all. Watching two handsome guys was really good.  I was peeping Rafa from behind Quaini. Rafa was so good looking, but he might be too handsome to be close to.

Sunday, 11 July
We saw Masciarelli (ex. Italian national player) at the cafeteria while we were eating breakfast.  First we didn't realized who he was.  We thought he might have been an Italian journalist. In the same day we found out who he was.  I was talking with Quaini in front of the elevator, then the guy I saw at the cafeteria in the morning was coming toward Romano.  He started to talking with Romano, and then Romano said to Quaini "Do you remember Masciarelli?" He looked different than I remembered, but that was him by looking at him carefully.
During the tournament I saw him very often at the Hotel lobby.  He was looking for someone to kill time. Finally Masciarelli found Vissali (ex. Seleccion) and was able to share his free time.

Tuesday, 13 July
When we went down to the lobby after finishing breakfast, Argentine cable TV station (TyC) came toward us. They asked us whether we were the ones who came from Japan to support Argentite.  Then they told us they wanted to have TV interview with us.  I thought it could happen. I guessed they might have heard about us from FAV staff or Argentine players.

The questions were brief self introduction, favorite player & the reason, Argentine team, and so on.  They knew my favorite player was Quaini prior the interview (who told them?).

（ＴｙＣ） Why do you like Quiani?
(Me) I think he is the best player in the Argentine national team.
（ＴｙＣ） And?
(Me) And I believe he's got good personality as well as nice character.
（ＴｙＣ） How about his looks?
(Me) What?
（ＴｙＣ） Do you think he is good looking?
（I finally realized ) Yes, I think he is handsome and cool.
．．．The interviewer wanted me to say that Quaini was good looking.  Yes, many teenagers called his name at the polideportivo.  He was popular.  There was serious question as well

（ＴｙＣ） You said that Quaini is a good player, but the head coach didn't use him at the game last night. Why was that?
I've been wondering why the head coach doesn't use Quaini more often at the game.  So I seriously answered the question.  What was my answer? That's secret.

Some of Argentine players knew I had the TV interview.  Of course Quaini knew that.  He asked me what kinds of question I had and how I answered them.  Hum, he was serious as usual.
I wonder how many people saw my TV interview on TyC. Who knows?