Servus Tessa,

I recommend throwing beer mugs (empty ones of corse), or cockoo clocks (sounds funny).

Right. Germany, spoilsport as always, usually tries to stop us. Sometimes he has all his hands full keeping all his siblings in check. But right now he is busy with the EHEC disease. So he's a little distracted these days.

Ah! That's it. I wondered why he thought my cows/sheep were cute and "so much fun to tease" suddenly. Yes, Schafe means sheep. Plural though, that's why I guess that he's drunk again and sees double... In your case I would rather call you a cute little Schäfchen anyway (Schaf in minimisation).

Our relationship with France is a little complicated. I was allied with him several times, as were others of my siblings... until we changed our mind and tried to kill each other instead, also several times. Ludwig never got along well with him until one strange day in 1963 they decided to become best friends all of a sudden. To others they appear to be indeed good friends and work together a lot for this whole European Union project. But actually they still fight very often.

So you also think that France is doing this on purpose? I thought so. But dewy-eyed Ludwig seems to believe his new best friend, when he tells him that it's all pure coincidence. Sure... I agree, damned frog indeed!

You'll do great! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Revenge tactics? Aaaalright... Good that we have nothing to do with rugby. So I guess we're safe... or not?

True! Italy can be really creepy when it comes to football, not to mention Romano. But to be honest, some of our siblings are not any better. You wouldn't believe what happened in 2006 when Italy kicked Germany out of the tournament. All hell broke loose!

Austria lost again (as always), but he made some progress. This time it was only 2:1... but we scored all three goals. Ok, I guess that's nothing to be proud of. There are actually some sports Austria is doing quite good in, but that's mainly winter sports like skiing. And when it comes to this he has a pretty entertaining archenmity with Switzerland... and myself of course (old Edelweiß rivalry probably).

So we all live up to our stereotypes to a certain degree. Good to know.

Pfiadi, Bavaria


Kia ora Bavaria!

Ugh, i'm sorry it took me so long to reply – earthquakes. I'm getting sick of them now, nine months is long enough...

I'd usually throw cricket balls or...well, whatever's at hand, really.

Quick, act while he's distracted!

I'm not sure wiether I should amused or insulted that he's been calling me a sheep and I didn't realise...it's not the first time i've been called that, but never in German (I think)... I'm going to blame Wales. He's the one who introduced sheep down here in the first place.

1963...that was when they formed the European union, right? I can remember that, if only because England wasn't pleased. Then he ditched me and Aussie in favour of joining it in the seventies, so i'm holding a bit of grudge.

He's definitely doing it on purpose! And when you tell him to stop, he won't listen. At all. I tried to get the UN to stop him from testing nukes in the south pacific, but he didn't listen to them. And then when I tried to protest (peacefully, or course...India's a bad influence), he sunk the greenpeace ship...

I can't remember much after that, but Aussie and England told me that I almost started a war.

I hope so! Less than a hundred days to go...

Revenge tactics. Speaking of which, France better watch out. I'm still angry that he managed to knock me out of the last world cup...You're safe, though. Revenge tactic's are only for Rugby. If someone other then me wins though, I can't promise their safety. Especially not after last time...

I think I can relate to that. You guys are crazy over football – i'm crazy over rugby.

I'm still finding it hard picturing Austria playing sport of any kind...

It seems like it. I'm trying to think of a nation who doesn't fit their national stereotype...

Hei kona mai

Tessa 'Tangimoana' Kirkland,

New Zealand