This is my World Cup 2014 experience wrap-up:

Best Moment:

Greece beating Ivory Coast and celebrating with the fans after the game in Fortaleza.

Worst Moment:

The first goal in Greece’s opening game against Colombia in Belo Horizonte.

Best Stadium:

Maracanã. I didn’t actually attend a game at the famous Rio de Janeiro stadium, but I was able to visit. I had chills the entire time. Natal’s Arena das Dunas is my runner-up. It was a beautiful venue to watch a game.

Best Food:

São Paulo. Lots of variety and everything we ate was delicious.

Worst Food:

Búzios. Tourist trap restaurants and overall bad quality food.

Best City:

Rio de Janeiro. Beautiful scenery, great beaches, and lots to see and do.

Worst City:

São Paulo. I was disappointed. I expected a lot more from such a big city.

Most Organized City:

Fortaleza

Least Organized City:

Natal

Best Fans:

Colombia. Friendly, energetic, and fun. Runner-up is Iran. I met a large group at the airport after they had been eliminated and all were very nice to talk to and upbeat.

Worst Fans:

I might be criticized for this but I don’t care – USA. I didn’t like our behavior at World Cup 2014, and maybe because I could understand everything they were saying. Arrogance and lack of sportsmanship were an unfortunate common theme from my fellow American fans. It was embarrassing to hear another American telling opposing fans that their country sucks. Not the team, the country. Runner-up is Brazil. Again – arrogance, lack of respect, and their sense of entitlement.

And because I’m a guy…

Most Beautiful Female Fans:

Colombia. I couldn’t concentrate on the game. It was a great distraction. Happy to be moving there. Runners-up: Mexico, Iran, Belgium and Netherlands. Not necessarily in that order.

Least Beautiful Female Fans:

USA. Yeah, again, I’ll be criticized. I held us to a much higher standard. Runners-up: Australia, Spain, Bosnia, and South Korea. I’m excluding Algeria from my selection because I don’t think they brought any female fans.

Greece vs Ivory Coast. I held my Greek flag over my head in disbelief and shock at what just happened. Here’s a guy I’d been cussing out for the past two hours – no, two weeks!!! – lining up to take a penalty that could launch Greece into the Round of 16 at the World Cup Finals – further than Greece has ever gone before.

I made it to my last stop for World Cup 2014 in Brazil, Fortaleza. A 5am flight from Natal on one hour of sleep was easily the worst leg of my trip, but so far Fortaleza has been a nice surprise. Meireles, the area of town we’re staying in, is modern and has a lively beach lined with bars and restaurants. Kind of like a mini Rio wannabe.

Greece vs Japan. Both teams were coming off a loss in their first game. Both teams needed a positive result.

It’s always nice to have two countries to support at the World Cup. Thanks to my friend Mike’s wheeling and dealing on his flight to Natal last night, he was able to secure two tickets to tonight’s USA vs Ghana game for face value. It would be my first time seeing the USA play in person since a World Cup 2010 qualifier in Chicago against Trinidad and Tobago.

Today I said goodbye to Belo Horizonte and headed to Natal, the site of Greece’s next game against Japan in World Cup 2014.

Greece vs Colombia. The setting was Belo Horizonte but the game might as well have been played in Bogotá.

On the shuttle to the stadium, Greek fans were outnumbered about 25 to 1. Inside Estádio Mineirão, it was worse. I was the only Greek fan in my entire section.

Nothing special to report today from World Cup 2014. I went to the colonial city of Ouro Preto about two hours from Belo Horizonte. Really amazing place.