Postcards From Brazil, Part 6: Ivi's World Cup Adventure
June 30, 2014 | Women's Soccer
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By: BGSU Athletic Communications
One of the newest Bowling Green State University women's soccer alumnae, Ivi Casagrande, is enjoying the experience of a lifetime this summer. Casagrande, who recently finished her senior year at BG, is back in her native country, helping with the world's largest sporting event. Casagrande, a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, worked at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the Australian National Team and their travel party. The Socceroos did not advance past the group stage, but Ivi's World Cup experience continues...
June 23 Today we woke up early to leave for Curitiba, where we would be playing our last game against Spain. I was excited because a big part of my family lives in Curitiba, so I couldn't wait to show the families how beautiful the city was. It is one of the most clean cities in Brazil and where the public transportation works with no flaws. As soon as we got to the Airport, me and Timothy (Tim Cahill's dad) got a car that would take us straight to the airport while the others would go in 3 different buses that would stop a little bit further from the stadium. The atmosphere around the stadium was amazing. It is hard to describe all the emotions I felt when we found our seats. It was so close to the field and we could see everything so clearly. It made me miss soccer so much and I would do anything to go back to those 4 years in Bowling Green again. Soccer is one of the things I love the most in my life and once again I was blessed to have the opportunity to be part of this amazing event in my home country. The time of the National Anthem was one of the most special parts because it was amazing to see the emotion in the eyes of the parents and families of the players. In some way I could feel the same excitement and I was just not ready for our journey to be over. Spain won the game but we left happy and proud of the boys for playing with so much heart against really good teams. We were not lucky to be placed in a group with Netherlands and Spain but I know for sure they enjoyed their journey in Brazil as much as I did with their families. We left to the stadium and went straight to the airport to get our Charter flight back to Vitoria. Brazil was going to play against Cameroon while we were flying but we were lucky enough that our planes had Live TV so we all watched Brazil beat Cameroon on our way back!
When we arrived in the hotel, we went straight to the rooftop where we would throw a farewell party for the families. It was really sad that the moments with them were coming to an end, but I was happy that I made friendships that will last forever and cherished moments in which I will never forget. By the end of the dinner, the families made me and all our staff jump in the pool with all our clothes on! They thanked us for everything and told us how awesome it was for them to be part of this.  June 24/June 25 The families started to leave Vitoria to go back to Australia. It was sad to watch them go and to say goodbye to all of them. We all stayed together for 17 days and we built a bond between us that will never be broken. I told them I was going to plan a reunion with most of them and would visit them soon in Australia. On the night of June 25, I got a flight back to Belo Horizonte, my hometown. I was sad to be over but I couldn't wait to spend the last month here in Brazil with my family and watching the remaining of the world cup with the people I love and miss the most when I am in the United States. The most exciting part is that in Belo Horizonte the atmosphere was completely different from Vitoria because we are hosting a bunch of games in the World Cup. So the streets are filled with tourists from all over the world, the population is enjoying themselves every day. It is like we have something to celebrate every day, most people forget about their problems once in their lives to enjoy this great event in a country that breathes soccer.
June 28 - a.m. We are hosting one of the Round of 16 games and we are lucky that we will be hosting BRAZIL X CHILE in our hometown. I can't explain my excitement to be going to Brazil's game!!! Right now I am waiting for my dad and sister so we could drive to the stadium for one the most exciting games of the World Cup!!! Go Brazil!!!!!
To read Ivi's previous updates, or to view more of the many photos she has passed along, click the links located near the top of this page. And, don't forget to come back to BGSUFalcons.com in the near future for more updates from Ivi!
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When we arrived in the hotel, we went straight to the rooftop where we would throw a farewell party for the families. It was really sad that the moments with them were coming to an end, but I was happy that I made friendships that will last forever and cherished moments in which I will never forget. By the end of the dinner, the families made me and all our staff jump in the pool with all our clothes on! They thanked us for everything and told us how awesome it was for them to be part of this. 
