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The World Cup

10 years ago by

The World Cup

Are you following the World Cup?

Ok, I admit, I totally missed the wagon for the first round and missed all the games, even when France played (how is our team this year?), but I really like what’s happening in New York – even though no one ever talks about soccer here, suddenly the bars are filling up for every match and you hear the famous “Ooouuuuh” every time the ball gets anywhere close to the goal.
Yesterday, I passed by a Brazilian bar and it made me want to jump out of my taxi to join the ambiance.

I think I’m going to let myself have a few beers and pretend to be totally into soccer even though I’m really just using the soccer ball as an excuse for a good time.

Do you follow the World Cup? What are your favorite teams? Who are your favorite players? What’s your favorite beer? Hehe.

Translated by Andrea Perdue

96 comments

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  • Oui très sympa le foot! Suis pour les diables rouges (Belgique) et ma bière préféré la Vedett (trop bon et super beau design) et à propos Garance est-ce que tu vas au concert de Stromae à NY? Bises de Bruxelles!

  • i am not interested: it’s just another huge marketing bomb!

    http://littleaesthete.com

  • Yes, but mainly French matches!!!
    Xoxo

    Le monde des petites
    http://www.lemondedespetites.com/

  • Sophie June, 18 2014, 4:49

    Moi aussi pour les Diables rouges! Rien que pour la coupe afro de Fellaini ;-) Et avec une Kriek si possible!
    La coupe du monde c’est ça: plein d’opportunistes du foot, des gens qui se croisent et vibrent ensemble, sans être nécessairement de grands supporters ou connaisseurs en dehors de la coupe du monde. De très beaux souvenirs a chaque fois, surtout dans les cafés et en terrasse!

  • Ah! ça fait plaisir!
    Garance parle du foot!! un peu que je la suis, c’est aussi intéressant, agaçant et euphorisant sur le terrain qu’à côté! C’est un événement mondial, avec une dimension politique indéniable, une pression de folie sur les stars du foot, c’est too much à chaque seconde et en même temps c trop bon, tout se mêle: politique, social, sponsors, sport de haut niveau… fric à tous les niveaux mais aussi grosse rigolade entre amis à regarder les matchs.
    Mais le top de la polémique: c’est la coupe de cheveux!!! Il faudrait un poste là-dessus: les coupes de cheveux improbables des footballeurs, ça fait partie du spectacle!
    Et en parlant de sport à pratiquer, je joue au foot avec deux entraînements par semaine et les matchs le weekend, plus un gramme de cellulite, arrêt de la clope sans kg en trop, et de vrais délires entre copines tous les weekends! Les sports co, on a rien trouvé de mieux pour bouger en s’amusant et se motiver avec son groupe…

  • Hahaha love the last question :D I hate football but why not have some beer with friends during a match :)

  • Franchement moi je ne suis pas foot du tout, mais alors pas du tout. (Bizarre sachant que mon père était lui même footballeur pro’, mais bon passons). Mais j’avoue qu’en période de coupe de monde (comme en période de Fashion Week d’ailleurs!!!!) je suis tous les matchs sans exception. j’sais pas, je pense que c’est fédérateur, un autre moment à passer en famille ou entre pote tranquillou!!.

    xoxo.

  • Katherine June, 18 2014, 12:42 / Reply

    Usually I don’t care about soccer, but I’ve gotten really into the world cup this time around… probably because I live in Spain now which was the champion last time around, and the excitement is literally everywhere :)

  • Barbara June, 19 2014, 10:07

    oops

  • It is all about the drama, the emotion and the unexpected (sort of to Anna’s point). There is a simplicity and scarcity associated with the World Cup that seems to enable a strong emotional connection with the tournament. I’ve been watching the World Cup for over 20 years and it has been fascinating to reflect on the historical cycles of players, teams and coaches and how it all relates to performance (I ended up putting money on Germany because of this). Considering that these are teams who don’t really get a chance to train together that much (unless players are affiliated with the same clubs), one could also say it is reality TV as its finest :)

    And yes, are you going to Stromae in NY this Friday!?

  • Yes !!!!!! obsessed !
    I follow it every day and at every occasion will turn it into an afternoon/evening celebration with lots of food, wine and shouting and friends , friends of friends and neighbors

    I am a european in California surrounded my Americans, Italians, French, Latin America, Spanish friends so every other day is an excuse to get together , cook foods of the countries we are watching and drink lots of wine and beers.

    Right now I am working / watching with one eye Australia VS Netherlands and Spain plays at 11

    I am following Spain and Cameroon as my favorite teams

    I am betting also ! …..like 5 $ on each match

    you must get into it ! so much fun…..go to the barrio near the Lower East , go to Chinatown , go to Little Italy , go to a pub…put a TV in the office…have it on all day….but you must participate
    it is uplifting and fun and gives you lots of energy

    http://www.fashionsphinx.com

  • C’est ce que je fais ! Et vu que j’habite dans le Queens c’est pas très compliqué de trouver un bar pour chaque équipe qui joue !!!
    http://curiosites-futilites-new-york.com

  • Messi , Honda , Iniesta, Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez,Ronaldo

  • OF COUUUUUURRRRSEEE!!!!!!
    Bring on the beers, the joy (or tears…) and the VIDA in the bars! Plus, guys are always nicer when their teams win ;)

  • No, I’m not following the World Cup, but my favorite player is Lionel Messi, I’m a fan of Barcelona. When Beckham used to play… I don’t need to say more.

  • Margaret June, 18 2014, 1:16 / Reply

    Garance,i wander what is your daily fashion reads?

    do you follow any stylists blog or something like this?I read everything..like a crazy,but still don`t no what to wear!

  • Ninotschka June, 18 2014, 1:21 / Reply

    Xabi Alonso <3<3<3! I'm never into it at any other time, but for the World Cup season I am really into admiring some good (looking… Yeah, I know, but if the games are not that interesting, you still have something nice to look at… And it has to be players from other teams than mine (Germany)… No, no, no, I'm pretty sure, it's NOT because there are much nicer looking guys in the other teams… It's because our team plays so good, that you only think about good soccer (who cares about good looking players, if your team is winning?) Have you seen Germany : Portugal? Let's just say: Cristiano Ronaldo… Who is that?) players! And, yes, in Germany soccer is really important and following the World Cup is crucial like nothing else in the world of sports…

  • I dont follow, but I admit I also love the ‘vibe’ it brings!.

    http://www.myclayexperience.com/

  • Comment formuler ça… je ne suis pas on me l’impose à la maison (bon en vrai je fuis dans l’autre pièce)

  • A topic I am so excited to talk about! I must admit I don’t follow soccer, but when the world cup comes every four years I get super super excited and all of a sudden am following all the games and watching the matches. My dad is German, although I was born here, but since we don’t care too much, I am hoping Germany will win! Muller is of course amazing, but I like Neymar on Brazil’s team too (he’s only 22!).

  • …mais il faut quand même que j’ajoute que j’apprécie l’effet de cohésion que ça provoque!

  • I think the world cup is something wonderful. Everyone comes together and is cheering! You can feel the happiness in the room when your country is winning! Who doesn’t like being together with everyone and cheer with eachother. France is doing a good job as far as i know. But I am a little dutchie and i can say that i believe we are going to win the world cup this year! :)

    xxxx
    http://www.dominiquecandido.com

  • On a une super équipe cette année le match de dimanche était vraiment très beau. L’équipe de France est super soudée cette année et ça fait plaisir. Je sens qu’on ira loin allez les bleus !!!!

  • Léonore June, 18 2014, 2:32 / Reply

    J’adore le foot et la Coupe du Monde et je n’ai qu’une seule chose à dire: ironiquement, la Corse a bien été représentée par le gardien mexicain Ochoa hier au Brésil – c’est cela la beauté de ce sport:)

  • Well, I am Spanish so… the Worldcup is like biggest, most exciting event of the year here (despite the embarassment of the first match). I am not into soccer but when a big event came I used to follow it (just in the last five years, before our team never won and noone was as interested as they are now). However, for the past two years I am not following our team at all. I mean, before I used to meet my friends to see the matches together, but that is not happening anymore (maybe in the final match if Spain is playing it). Now I just sit in front of the TV with my sister and we do some zapping between a series and the match.
    But… with or without friends or a big reunion to follow the cup, Coronitas are always there :)
    http://mariabim.blog.elle.es

  • Oh YES I’m following as a sportfanatic and a Dutchie, and all of that with Grolsch beer haha! Hope you’ll be able to enjoy some games, it’s great to watch in between guys – who all of the sudden behave like girls/ cavemen depending on where the ball is going. Enjoy!

    X STYLONYM http://www.stylonym.blogspot.com

  • Bien sur! Je suis brésilienne ;)

  • Je ne suis pas fan du tout du foot en temps normal mais j’avoue que l’ambiance coupe du monde me plaît beaucoup . Alors je regarde quelques matchs par-ci par-là avec mon amoureux puis si je m’ennuie je cherche le joueur que je trouve le plus beau. On s’amuse comme on peut :)))

  • Roxanne June, 18 2014, 3:13 / Reply

    Bah pas plus que ça. je n’écoute pas vraiment le foot normalement mais je trouve ça très intéressant de regarder la Coupe du Monde ces jours-ci. Allez les Bleus !!!!!

  • maria khan June, 18 2014, 3:36 / Reply

    Ooohhh dear ! World cup is a huge thing in my country. you wouldn’t believe it ! And I am a fan of Brazil in fact my full family is fan of Brazilian football team but I do love Ikar casillas & Mesii ;) Love from Bangladesh xoxo

  • Samantha June, 18 2014, 4:04 / Reply

    Watching the BBC with my football fanatical husband, the biggest highlight is analysis from Thierry Henri. Always a pleasure!

  • Je vis à Amsterdam donc je vis “Oranje” et garde un oeil sur les Bleus

    Sinon ma biere preferee est la Mongonzo, gluten-free

  • Hi Garance! Of course I do, I’m Mexican :P and my whole family. I always cheer for my Mexico and my next favorite is Germany. My biggest soccer player crush is Zinedine Zidane, the most handsome and talented ever! (in my opinion). My current favorite is Múller. As far as beer? I love dogfish head the 60 min or a michelada. Viva Mexico!!!!

  • Garance, l’équipe de France est plutôt pas mal!! En tout cas elle a un sacré potentiel et peut aller loin. L’équipe est soudée et solidaire et ça se ressent sur le terrain. A suivre… (!!)

  • I do do follow the world cup. Being from Berlin I´m a fan of Germany´s Nr. 13, Thomas Müller :) But what´s as good as #AUSvsNED? The #Joseph fashion show at @LondonFashionWk seen through the eyes of http://www.fairaporter.com (or a well chilled Beck´s beer) x

  • Annaliese June, 18 2014, 4:53 / Reply

    Yes! It’s really fun to watch, so fast paced and very sexy men ;) almost as good as polo!

  • Perso je suis à fond mon équipe: les diables rouges!
    Je crie devant ma télé et je suis de tout cœur avec eux…

  • Ramona June, 18 2014, 5:07 / Reply

    Watching, watching! Favorite teams: Clockwork Orange (Holland), Italy, Argentina.
    Players: Robin van Persie, Claudio Marchisio.
    All the above go well with a muddy brown Trappist Westvleteren 12 (XII).

    Cheers!

  • La Coupe du Monde de cette année est un vrai scandale. Malgré l’euphorie qui a gagné les populations et le nombre de personnes ignorantes de ce qui se passe au Brésil, les brésiliens continuent à manifester leur opposition à cet évènement qui s’est organisé contre l’opinion de la majorité de la population.
    Cette vidéo résume bien l’état des choses.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJM7PdMymeY

  • Gabrielle June, 20 2014, 8:10

    Merci Laureen! Je suis très étonnée que Garance n’en parle même pas dans son article.
    Personnellement, j’aime beaucoup le foot en tant qu’ambiance et parce que c’est très fédérateur, mais, comme l’explique si bien la vidéo que tu as postée, on ne peut pas se réjouir d’une fête qui se fait dans une maison dont les gens ont été expulsés!!!
    Le centre culturel indigène va même être transformé en musée du comité olympique et les indiens sont gazés par les crs!
    Bizarrement, j’ai du mal à me réjouir d’une fête qui se passe dans ce contexte. Garance, qu’est-ce que tu penses de relayer l’info?

  • Je plussoie !

    Je ne la suis pas pour les même raisons.

    Je ne comprends vraiment pas l’indifférence générale….

  • Yes! The World Cup! I played soccer in High School, so I love the sport. I think this is a great time to celebrate our cultures through a sport that is almost universally revered. I have problems with FIFA and how the World Cup is orchestrated, but the excitement surrounding the games (and hello, the PLAYERS) is electric. My last Instagram post shows where my allegiances are ;) (shameless plug for my IG feed).

    Have some beer, sangria, meet new friends and enjoy it!

    http://instagram.com/cultureshockart

  • I have worked in football apparel for one of the power brands in the past, aside of the games, I observe the unifroms closely, I love fashion in sports! The details colors, trims are awesome!… the Dutch uniform is just a piece of arta complicated and beautiful print and material.

    My favorites team, Holland and Mexico!

  • hello garance good evening from atgens greece!!! it’s a massive thing in my country, everyone is watcing the game! we even had gigantic televivion sets insterted at work so the games can be on all day long!! which sounds funny to me i must say- but i like the bwers accompinying the game!! they are heineken or alpha (which is greek and i love!!) kisses from athens xxx and cheers

  • Clara b June, 18 2014, 5:47 / Reply

    ARGENTINAAAAAAAA!

    C’est merveilleux de pouvoir regarder le Mundial en étant dans le même fuseau horaire!!!!! Et oui, je suis fanatique ayant été à mes heures joueuses de foot. Maintenant, je coach l’équipe de mon jeune fils!!!! C’est le bonheur!!!! Avant j’aimais autant le foot que la F1 mais disons que depuis les 10 dernières années, ça n’a plus le même charme qu’à l’époque de Senna ( ses yeux à travers le casque……)

    Adelante Argentina!!!!! Go Messi GO!!!

  • Ohhhh I love the World Cup so muuuuch!!! My team is Mexicoooo ! because I´m mexican :P But I also admire Holland, Uruguay & Chile ! :) I think yhis is the best World Cup I´ve seen in my entire life ( I used to watch it with my dad when I was a little girl)

    My drink …corona with a twist of lemon :) ahhhhhh!!!! My favorite players..well based on the looks, the italian team & also the players from Nigeria ..ay, ay , ay!!!! Based on talent: Van persie.

    On the other hand, I completely agree with Colony & Laureen, FIFA is such a mafia! They should be forced to leave an important % of the winnings in Brasil !

  • There’s a reason it’s called The Beautiful Game… the hot players! Just kidding. Kind of. I’m faithful to the U.S., although I’d be rooting for the Kiwi’s if they ever made it into the tournament. Keep an eye on Nederlands and Argentina. Oh, how I wish soccer were more popular in the States. I could be enjoying the great outdoors in a beer garden right now!

  • bouchra June, 18 2014, 6:00 / Reply

    D’habitude je ne regarde pas beaucoup le foot mais la je suis à fond!!! On dirait un folle devant ma télé ,je fais que crier. Mes deux équipes préférée sont la France (of course!) et l’Allemagne.Il y’a un joueur que je surkifff : Robin Van Persie. Voilà bisou à toute l’équipe!!!

  • Je supporte les Red Devils en Bruxelloise qui se respecte et admiratrice de Marouane Fellaini et ses beaux coups de tête. Sa chevelure vaut de l’or !

  • Andrea June, 18 2014, 6:06 / Reply

    I am a big fan of the World Cup! I have followed almost all the matches played until today, I’d love the cup stay in South America in Brazil, Chile or Argentina but from the World Cup in Germany 2006 I wish Holland win the first place. My favorite player is Robben, he’s a crack! But in my top of the handsomest are Van Persie, Diego Lugano and Marchisio! Viva Latinoamérica!!!!!!

  • Netherlands and the USA! Van Persie is gorge. But my beer is American!

  • leticia June, 18 2014, 6:38 / Reply

    So sad that the Spain didn’t make it this time, because I love Casillas sooo much !!! From know on I’ll be only supporting the Brazilian team.

  • Juliana June, 18 2014, 7:09 / Reply

    Yes!! My favorite is Brazil and I like Neymar Jr!!

  • Vivant en ce moment à Rio de Janeiro, je suis en quelque sorte obligée de suivre la coupe du monde !
    Moi qui n’ai jamais suivi le foot, je me prend à aller voir les matchs sur la plage de Copacabana ou dans des bars à Lapa avec des brésiliens, et à être totalement concentrée dans les matchs !
    L’ambiance ici est incroyable, il y a un monde fou, c’est la liesse !
    Le métro en direction du Maracana les jours de matchs est insensé !

    Je supporte évidemment le Brésil, et comme beaucoup, mon joueur préféré c’est Neymar !

  • Sara Cipriano June, 18 2014, 7:24 / Reply

    Oui très sympa le foot! Suis pour Portugal :) mais j’aime bien l’Espagne et le Brésil aussi! Pour moi la coup du monde c’est toujours spécial

    Beijos de Lisboa

  • Je ne suis pas une fan de foot mais pour la coupe du monde je suis tricolore ! Allez les Bleus !

  • Antonia June, 18 2014, 7:43 / Reply

    Of course! Viva la Croacie :)!!!

  • Marcia June, 18 2014, 9:23 / Reply

    The only time I watch soccer is during the World Cup and let me tell you, I haven’t miss one single match.
    Absolutely love it! My favorites are Brazil, Germany, USA!

  • I enjoyed reading what the Brazilian models had to say about the World Cup, so I suppose fashion was the doorway to an understanding of how important it is to Brazil, to be honest. I didn’t think too deeply about it again until my husband’s friends, all activists, talked about the protests going on there. The government spent millions, if not billions of dollars of public money to erect the stadium which is will ever only be most useful during the World Cup. It spits in the face of all the people in the favelas.

    I grew up playing soccer, even coached coed international soccer for a little while, and while I am far away from watching any actual games, it does sound fun to be in the mix of it all. I also appreciate the perspective I gained learning about the protests. What’s the saying? We are only as good off as the weakest members of our society?

  • I totally agree with you. It’s a really nice thing for NY and I have been having a lot of fun cheering for different teams. It has been exciting to watch and it is giving New York a great energy. Oh and I like stella artois.

  • Oui! J’adore football! Although I’m American, I love Argentina and Germany. Though during the last World Cup I was going for the Dutch. I love watching all great players and there are many. If I had to narrow it down, my favorites are Messi (of course!), Robben, Ozil, and Drogba (in his prime). I don’t like beer….I only drink fruity Belgian, like raspberry Lamic Framboise. What they say is true, it really is a beautiful game.

  • Hi Garance!

    I’m usually not interested in soccer, but the internationality of the World Cup just makes it so exciting. I’m even live-streaming it at home (with a few beers, too ;) ) and it’s super exciting! France won the last game and is playing Switzerland on Friday. Very excited for that game!

    P.S. I don’t understand any of the rules…it’s just fun to watch and share the experience with people.

    Sophia

    http://lepetitmatin.wordpress.com

  • I’ve watched many games so far, mostly with friends who are just like me the greatest fans of football every 2 or 4 years only (in the meantime watching absolutely zero games). I’m even surprised that you would ever think that you have to be a football fan to watch the world cup :-) And many players are really cute but it’s their virtuosity with the ball that’s really there to admire! My favorites: Robben and van Persie (yes, I’m for Holland this year :-) )
    Enjoy!

  • I’m Spanish. We lost yesterday. I don’t care about football, but… ouch! We are suffering a huge financial crisis, we have a government who is taking away lots of civil rights… and now we loose the World Cup in the second match? We have nothing left… sigh!
    xx,
    E.
    http://www.theslowpace.com

  • Dani K. June, 19 2014, 4:14 / Reply

    Watched Spain vs Chile last night. Spain was the expected team to win but that’s not how things turned out in the end. The thing that really got me happened even before the game began. When Spain came out on the field and lined up to sing their National anthem – none of them sang along. They stood still with their hands over their hearts and gazed straight ahead. However…. When the Chileans National anthem began playing the entire lot of them went into a kind of soulfull trance singing with their entire hearts at full volume – determination right out front! It was AMAZING to behold! I said to my husband: “Chile is totally going to win this game”. And that’s just what they did.

  • Well, I agree that the Spanish team hasn’t played as expected and so on. But, I have to say that our national anthem hasn’t got lyrics, so it’s normal that the players didn’t sing it. They usually sing it with a laralalala when they won a competition, as happen in 2006 with the basketball team when they won the Worlcup.

  • Moi aussi j’adore l’esprit “coupe du monde”. En plus la c’est au bresil, le pays du foot!!! Même si on n’est pas fan de foot et qu’on y comprend rien : it’s all about the atmosphere, the energy, supporting its team and singing La Marseillaise : “le jour de gloire eeeeeest arrivéééé!!!” n’a jamais sonné vrai pdt les événements sportifs je trouve.

    Sans trop m’y connaître, il y a plein de nouveaux et de jeunes dans l’équipe de France et on les sent super motivés, unis, humbles et prêts à en démordre! En plus avec un premier pas en gagnant 3-0, ça fait plaisir et on a encore plus envie de les supporter et s’afficher en bleu blanc rouge! Ce qui je trouve est rare pour les français par rapport aux autres nations. On est beaucoup plus timide et n’osons pas mettre en avant le drapeau. En temps général je trouve qu’on est plus sceptique envers notre équipe et attendons de voir si l’équipe passe les 1/8 de finale avant de nous emballer (LOL, les gens qui ne veulent pas se mouiller!) Mais là, cette fraîcheur fait vraiment du bien! Et Dieu sait qu’on en a besoin en ce moment en France!
    Alors si s’unir autour de l’ équipe France et vibrer pendant les matchs font oublier un peu la réalité… Pourquoi pas! Ça fait pas de mal, au contraire!

    Alors vive la France! En plus ca rapproche les gens, il fait beau, c’est bientôt l’été!!! :-) (l’effet édulcoré de la coupe du monde quoi)

  • Perrine June, 19 2014, 4:26 / Reply

    C’est marrant parce que je n’ai jamais été intéressée par le foot … (quitte à suivre un match dans ma famille on serait plus rugby, surement dû à nos années dans le sud !)
    Du coup cette semaine pendant le premier match des Diables Rouges (je vis en Belgique) je suis allée à la piscine avec ma collègue et nous réjouissant des lignes de nage vides pour l’occasion !

    On a fait nos longueurs, on est sorties, on a allumé la radio dans la voiture et la Belgique perdait 0-1 et c’était la 2e mi temps … mauvais ! Et puis on passe devant un bar et on entend les cris et les cornes de brumes, on monte le son de la radio, on avait égalisé !!!! On a crié dans la voiture on était à fond tout d’un coup ! le gros sourire ! Ils ont re-marqué quelques minutes plus tard on en pouvait plus de joie 2-0 !!!

    Super bizarre mais dimanche pour le prochain match on sera probablement devant l’écran avec tous les belges !!!

  • Team: GERMANY!!!
    Player: Schweinsteiger
    Beer:Krombacher

    I love the World Cup, here in Germany everyone is watching the games.
    I hope the Germans will win, would be the biggest party ever :-)

  • Lansky June, 19 2014, 4:40 / Reply

    Disons que j’aime bien le soccer, mais je ne regarde pas de façon d’assidue mais j’ai l’application officielle de la FIFA. Je connais les pointages, qui à fait quoi et qu’est-ce qui s’est passé à chaque minute. Je dois dire alors que oui je suis la Coupe de monde. C’est quand même intéressant! Je ne suis pour aucune équipe. J’ai toute de même hâte de savoir qu’elles sont les deux équipes qui vont être en finale! Que la meilleure gagne !

  • I follow), I saw approximately 60% of all matches. I love this occasion – to feel myself part of the world, which happens once every four years. I like all the teams, except Germany (don’t know why), also I like this atmosphere, dramatic moments and of course the location – Brazil! Although I’m from Russia I’m a fan of the national team of Belgium. The most most cute players on my mind Eden Hazard,David Luiz.

  • Forgot to add favorite beer: Kozel dark!

  • Looove the football worldcup, have been watching every match so whole family’s sleep cycle has gone for a toss. Love the atmosphere, the emotion and the passion of the players and the stadium audience. We have also taken the WC as a chance to try all types of beer possible, locally brewed ones, speciality ones, etc etc. so yeah it’s been good fun. Though I personally prefer to kick back with a Desperado (Dutch brand, tequila shot beer) and weisbeer. Food wise we are consuming tons of guacamole and salsa:)

  • Well, I guess I’m one of those wierdos; I loathe football and the hype that goes with it.

    I grew up in the 1960s/70s near a northern English football ground; it was a time of significant organised(and random) violence from the crowds. We could reckon on three or four house windows put through each season, often because my father refused to let coaches block emergency service access to the glassworks he was responsible for. At school the teachers would call the few of us who didn’t follow football liars, I was asked if I wanted people to think I was a queer*(in front of the class) when we couldn’t write on ‘our favourite football team’; we had to be football fans. As for having to play the damn game at school – best to let that lie bleeding. I guess that has left me a little biased. The generalised stench of loutishness, corruption(allegedly), racism, tribalism, sexism and homophobia that hangs around the game have done little to change my early experiences. Being attacked in the 1990s by a handful of Sheffield Wednesday supporters because of my red and white colour block cycling lycra was a peach of a moment(the other Sheffield team, Sheffield United play in red and white stripes).

    So, for me, I’ll be glad when the whole ghastly thing is over.

    *a footnote, I’m bisexual and loathe football, yet Stephen Fry and Reverend Richard Coles are homosexual and love the game – go figure where those teachers were coming from.

    ** a second footnote, I don’t dispute football has some fine figures. David Beckham and Eric Cantona come to mind.

  • Bernadette June, 19 2014, 6:00 / Reply

    Ah mais ouiiiii!
    En plus je suis Allemande (bon: franco-allemande) et l’équipe est plutôt bien… Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos….

  • Diables Rouges, naturellement! My boyfriend is a bit of a Marouane Fellaini look-a-like, people are constantly talking to him in the streets. So of course I support him. <3 (http://www.dafabetsports.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Manchester-United-signed-Marouane-Fellaini.jpg) But the other players are a pleasure to watch as well. Lukaku (http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02693/lukaku_2693056b.jpg) and allround dreamboat Vincent Kompany (http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2011/07/12/kompany.jpg.h380.jpg) on top. I don't usually watch football, but I like the atmosphere. Go Belgium!

  • Une Libanaise June, 19 2014, 7:29 / Reply

    Je suis accro a la coupe du monde (et La coupe d’Europe) depuis que je suis toute petite! c’est ca grandir entre 2 freres!
    Sinon faudrait voir le Liban a chaque coupe du monde! c’est l’effervescence totale… tout le monde met le drapeau de son equipe fetiche sur sa voiture ou sur son balcon et les restos/pubs sont plein a craquer a chaque match. Le Liban n’a jamais joue la coupe du monde mais a voir les Libanais tu penseras qu’on est tous soit bresiliens, allemands, francais, espagnoles, italiens etc.

    Sinon moi je suis avec l’equipe de France depuis toujours. et cette annee je sens qu’ils iront loin! Je croise mes doigts pour le match de vendredi contre la Suisse.

  • I only watch sport on TV on big occasions such as the Olympics, the World Cup, NHL Playoffs and so on. I like the atmosphere on those special moments. The rest of the time, I just get bored.
    LisaLou,www.urbanfroufrou.com

  • Je n’aime pas le foot en temps normal, mais pour la Coupe du Monde c’est différent : toute une ambiance, comme un interlude qui ferait que tout le monde se réunit, et se bagarre gentiment selon l’équipe soutenue ! Un peu comme la Fashion Week où on se bat pour avoir des places au meilleur défilé quoi !

    http://www.pardonmyobsession.com/

  • Jane with the noisy terrier June, 19 2014, 10:34 / Reply

    Although I’m not actively following the World Cup, I love being in New York during it, where you can walk from block to block (or even shop to shop) and find a different nationality cheering on their home team. On sunny afternoons, walk over to Bonsignor at the corner of Jane St, and 8th Ave. and you’ll find a cluster of neighbors sitting on benches or chairs on the sidewalk, drinking iced coffee and watching the matches on a flat screen. Young old, babies and panting dogs, it’s a wonderful neighborhood moment.

  • I hate to admit it publicly, but I have followed a man onto the bandwagon. His faves, are my faves: http://instagram.com/p/pbkGHIOzPO/

  • Well, it turns out I´m from Argentina, where this sport is more important than practically everything else. In the month of every World Cup the world literally stops, and the day Argentina plays, oh well, it’s like a holiday, of course every office stops for a couple of hours, and you´ll never see the streets that empty. Everybody, even people that do not follow the local championships an so, LOVES the world cup. (and being Brasil’s neighbour many got on a car and drove north!)

  • I’m a big fan of football!! Being from Aruba my favorite team is Holland!!!! Hup Hup!

  • The World Cup is watched on a daily basis in my home. I have to admit that I rather like it, the spirit and energy is just amazing!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

  • l'oeil's June, 20 2014, 7:34 / Reply

    Hello Garance,

    Pour faire le parallèle entre ta spécialité et le foot, peux-tu nous commenter ce sondage réalisé par un canard espagnol :
    http://www.marca.com/debate/2014/06/151201/prevotaciones151201.html

    Qu’est ce qui fait le charme de notre maillot selon toi?

    Footballistiquement vôtre.

  • Cristiana June, 20 2014, 10:18 / Reply

    Yes, I watch it. I don’t normally care about football, soccer I’m sorry, but every four years I turn into a soccer fan. I’m Italian, so Forza Azzurri! I’m really sorry about Spain, I adore Iker Casillas, His face after the game the other day was heartwrenching.

  • I’m not a huge soccer fan myself either, but boy does that change when the World Cups comes around! I literally follow EVERY team, I mean, you never know which one you’ll might have to face in the next round, right?! And the atmosphere is just amazing indeed.

    For favorite beer I vote Kasteel Rouge, which is a blend of dark beer and cherry liqueur. Really special! For all-time favorite soccer team? Holland of course! ;)

    Enjoy the games!

  • Monsieur J June, 20 2014, 9:58 / Reply

    A fond pour la Natie même quand elle se prend 5 buts par la France… et c’est complètement comme toi de l’opportunisme et du lever de coude… et le liquide c’est de la Leff elle soul bien et pas de mal de tete le lendemain :)

  • My husband and I are the same as you, don’t know much about soccer but getting so caught up in the World Cup. I’m loving watching the games. We’re rooting for the US (even though it’s a long shot), Japan, and Argentina! (All the countries we’ve lived in :D).

  • J ADOOOOOORE LA COUPE DU MONDE : )
    Il y a une ambiance de folie, c’est l été, et chaque match est un bon prétexte pour une mojito party ou un barbeuc pool party, c’est trop cool !!!!

  • I love the World Cup! I get really into the games and love watching them with my husband. Plus, public viewing is the best–so much fun! There’s no shame in using the soccer ball as an excuse for fun. My favorite teams are: USA, Mexico, Germany, and the Netherlands.

  • judychaci June, 22 2014, 2:49 / Reply

    off course I watch, I’Dutch…
    i Love it, but the French outfit is the best..

  • I wasn’t into it until I married a Brazilian and was living in Rio for the opening of the World Cup this year. That was a whole unique and amazing experience!

  • Camila June, 24 2014, 8:50 / Reply

    Yes, I follow the World Cup! Favorite team: BRASIL, of course! Favorite players: Neymar, Fred, Forlán, Jefferson… I have a list hahaha
    I’m watching all the games I can (some at the stadium, I’m lucky to live in one of the host cities), it’s being so fun!
    And my favorite beer is probably Heineken (but at the stadiums here in Brasil, they only sell Budweiser and Brahma…)

  • ainhoa June, 25 2014, 2:23 / Reply

    cette année je ne suive pas encore trop…peut-être dans les matchs suivants :))…je suis fan des italiens Fabio Grosso, et Buffon, et Forlan de l’Argentine, et puis d’une joueuse du foot féminine américaine Alex Morgan :), d
    quant aux bières j’aime Leffe !

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