Yesterday night, right after dinner near the Old Town Square – we went to the square to catch the football game (Argentina vs. Mexico). The supporters from Mexico vastly outnumbered the ones rooting for Argentina. Needless to say that I heard more Spanish swearing in that short span of a few hours than I have heard combined in all the hours spent watching Spanish movies. The Square was full and spilling over with people. Noisy, smokey and beery. I am usually allergic to crowds – however, this one turned out to be rather fun.
German fans wanted Mexico to win because they appear to feel that they have a better chance against Mexico than Argentina. Apparently, between the two countries – fan prefer supporting Mexico also because Argentina is perceived as a country that had a huge Italian chip on their shoulders. I heard quite a few football and politics theories that my head was swimming with. I don’t understand why tourists would come to Prague to watch a match on a big screen – but perhaps – it’s all about the proximity to Germany.
Didn’t see any German fans & clashing with non-mexican fans? … atleast that’s what Reuters had last night after the england vs germany game…maybe this is just me but I find it more comfortable to sit at home in front of the flatron watching the game that getting entaggled in a street… or maybe i need to go experience that first and then compare….
new perspectives :)
BTW. in 4 days, it’ll be happy birthday to Neha on her 1st anniversary of being the South Asia Regional Editor for GV :) so congrats!!!
i just hope we don’t have a killer hurricane breathing down our necks this time.
Angelo: Relatively clash-free. Though some of the English fans couldn’t stop themselves from getting racist. Yes – watching the game in a cafe or from home is far mroe comfortable.
GV birthday! :) Soon enough!