World Cup 2010: Citywire's international staff blog

Citywire staff are a multi-national bunch, hailing from such far flung countries as New Zealand and Serbia, and they share their views and experiences of the World Cup so far.

Fabian Fuchs, European researcher, Germany

Despite our surprise defeat versus Serbia today, which I watched in a German pub in Vauxhall, I am still convinced we can get through to the next round. At the moment the group is wide open, but it is really starting to live up to its 'group of death' name and is really quite unpredictable. I think we will get through but then it depends on who we face in the next round. If we meet England in the second round, then I would be worried. I would be far more confident if we faced the USA. Overall I think Argentina will win it.

Joel Schoppig, European researcher, Switzerland

After Roger Federer lost his number one ranking to Spanish Duracell bunny Raphael Nadal I prepared myself for a summer of disappointments. Little did I expect that we would get our revenge in Durban rather than on the glorious lawns at SW 19. The Swiss victory over reigning European Champion Spain has for sure been the biggest upset at this world cup so far. I actually think we Swiss expected extraordinary little from our 'Nati'. The fact that Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami had to spend the opening game on the bench did not help to boost my confidence. During the game, which I watched with some Swiss friends and my Spanish colleague Jesus, I could not get rid of that ‘this cannot possibly work out’ feeling. But it did. And it is amazing.

Ottmar Hitzfeld taught us what we should have started doing a long time ago and which is the only way for a team with limited skills to succeed: play ugly and win. Xavi said after the game that Switzerland played like Mourinho’s Inter. While he called it a disgrace I took it as a compliment. These three points will make it a lot easier to get to the next round. I say we draw with Chile, beat Honduras and then kick Portugal out of the tournament in the next round. Then Roger crushes Rafa at Wimbledon and I will, in spite of the terrible London weather, have a great summer.

Andrew McPherson, Credit controller, New Zealand

The indigenous Maori people call it Aotearoa meaning ‘land of the long white cloud’. On Tuesday we became land of the long ball all whites, resulting in one of the most extraordinary and exhilarating moments in our nations sporting history .With 30 seconds left in injury time defender Winston Reid jumped up to head the ball into the back of the net and I suspect his feet haven’t touched the ground yet. The 1-1 draw against Slovakia, our first ever point in the world cup tournament, sent the Walkabout pub and an entire nation that had stayed up till the small hours, into rapturous emotion.

A belief has now filled the team that we are not just making up the numbers. With current world champions Italy on Sunday looking far from unbeatable, a whole country is rediscovering ‘the beautiful game’ and asking could the unthinkable become reality?

Drazen Jorgic, Citywire Wealth Manager reporter, Serbia

After a bitterly disappointing start to the World Cup, losing to Ghana in a tepid display, Serbia has stamped its mark on the competition in some style.