GOAL

Finally, my moment came.
After sitting with groups of strangers to watch a pair of World Cup matches on TV, I had yet to see a goal. In a quiet restaurant in Amsterdam -- which had the most unbelievable sausage -- I thought for sure the moment might never happen.
In the course of looking down twice to take a bite of food, I miss both of Saudi Arabia's goals in its Wednesday match against Tunisia. Although there was little reaction from the subdued audience, I'm still frustrated.
All is forgotten when Tunisia gets the equalizer on a beautiful cross and header in extra time, which draws cheers from everyone. I threw my hands in the air, forgetting at the moment I might be the only one to rejoice, and my only reaction is to smile when soaking up the buzz in the room.
Later in the night, at a bar a few blocks away, the crowd steadily built during Germany's match with Poland. Again, extra time is when the winning goal happens -- securing a 1-0 victory for the host nation. After watching the Germans hit two posts moments earlier, the bar is filled with cheers and screams when a ball finally finds the net.
I will always cherish both celebrations, something I longed for before taking this trip. It's unlike any sporting event in the U.S., and you just feel different when watching it.
By the way, soccer fan or not, if you haven't seen the fourth goal Spain scored yesterday search for it on the Internet or go to ESPNews. Never will you see more players acting as one -- there were at least three straight one-touch passes -- to complete a better play. It is undoubtedly the greatest goal I have ever seen.