FOOTBALL fever has hit Bangor on the eve of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
With the tournament starting this Friday at the Soccer City Stadium football fans across the world are getting ready for the biggest sporting event in the world.
Aaron Haley took time to chat with some international football fans to see how they will be celebrating the World Cup.
One man more excited than most is Lamin Touray, from the DR Congo, who can’t wait to see the World Cup arrive in his home continent.
“It is a chance for all the countries of Africa to celebrate!” Lamin said.
“It is a really big thing, for all the countries.”
Computer science student Lamin came to Bangor three years ago and will be following Cameroon at the finals.
Ryota Sugimoto, a banking and law masters student at Bangor University, can’t wait for his team’s opening match against Cameroon.
“If Japan can win against Cameroon, we might have a better spirit going into the next game, but if we lose it will be quite difficult,” he said.
“If I watch it at home then I will only enjoy it on my own, but if I watch it in the pub I get to enjoy it with everyone else.
“It’s more fun watching it in Wales, as I can enjoy it with people from Japan as well as everyone in the pub!”
Maths student Jessica Platt will be enjoying the World Cup by joining her family in cheering on the USA.
Jessica was born in Portland, Oregon, and is looking forward to her home nation’s clash with England on June 12.
“I’m actually going back to America on Monday, so I’ll be there for the England match," she said.
“My dad’s looking forward to the England against USA match and said he wanted to win for all the Welsh people who aren’t supporting England!”
George and Vasilis Politis run the Greek Taverna on Holyhead Road, and have been following the fortunes of the Greek national team from the bar for the last 30 years.
The brothers will be screening matches at the taverna, and always look forward to World Cup years which bring different nationalities together.
“People come here with families to eat, and the ones that come to watch are well behaved; its free of trouble,” he said.
“You can watch it in style! It’s nice & relaxed.”
Spanish tutor David Miranda will be supporting one of the favourites for the tournament, and enjoys the memories conjured up by the tournament.
“I follow the national team in the Europeans and the World Cup, for me it’s not about them representing my country; it reminds me of when I was a kid, when I was watching it with my friends and family,” he said.
12-year-old Luis Teles is backing another of the favourites, Portugal, after he moved here from Porto four years ago.
“We will probably reach the semi-finals but we have got a big chance to win!” he said.
“Some of the important players are Deco in the midfield and Cristiano Ronaldo up front.
“I’m going to Portugal to be with my family while Portugal play; before then I’ll be watching it in Bangor with friends and my family at home.”
Lawri Farrell is also a Portuguese fan.
“I’ll probably watch the games with friends, usually there will be a few people getting together to watch, so I’ll join them,” she said.
“My team have some hard games, but I’m sure they will do well.”
Representing Mexico will be James Claridge, who fell in love with the country during time spent travelling fifteen years ago.
“I fell in love with Mexico in 1994," he said. "I'd spent a few years travelling to unusual destinations but Mexico turned out to be a real gem and I've had an affinity with it ever since."
James is looking forward to watching some familiar faces from English football turning out for the Mexicans, and thinks their manager has what it takes to shock a few teams.
He added: “I support Arsenal so really like Vela; he’s pure class."
And University German tutor Edith Gruber will be hoping to meet up with friends to watch her team in Bangor.
“I’ll watch it, I’ve got friends here who I’ll watch it with.” she said.