In one mad month, Australia discovered what the rest of the world already knew. The FIFA World Cup is the greatest sporting event on earth.

Tony Wilson was in Germany for every minute of the Socceroos World Cup roller coaster - from those eight magical minutes against Japan in Kaiserslautern and the Samba showdown with Brazil in Munich, to the dramatic draw with Croatia in Stuttgart and the final catastrophe against Italy back in Kaiserslautern.

In a journey through 13 German towns and cities, with a stop-off in Strasbourg for the Tour de France, Wilson met bikini-clad Brazilians, a crazy conga line of Ghanaians, and a fan who hasn't missed a Socceroos game since 1969.

He learned how to say "We're going to Berlin" in seven languages, discovered German delicacies such as calves' feet, and sung the new Aussie classic "You've got no kangaroos". He was even part of a mission to hand deliver a bag of Cherry Ripes to Harry Kewell.

Tony Wilson is a fan, observer and student of the game. Australia United is his story.