According to the New York Times’ edition of The Upshot, the most recent World Cup survey indicates that the majority of competing countries believe Brazil will take the cake this year when it comes to claiming the coveted cup.
It also shows that the majority of countries believe Brazil to play the most “beautiful” game of soccer…
…whatever that means.
No matter how you bend it (like Beckham), I’m just not a soccer fan; yet, every four years, I will watch the World Cup. I will root for England. England will lose. God save the Queen.
But really, for me, it’s more about the excitement of it all.
Six years ago, the less celebrated Euro Cup found me backpacking through Brisbane, Australia and somehow managing to find the only open bar to air the 4a.m scheduled game. People from all over the world crammed into this bar to take in what was sure to be a riveting match between Spain and Germany. I couldn’t tell you a single detail about that game, or about how “beautifully” it was played. But I can tell you, it was one hell of a party.
So, in the name of mixing football and pleasure, we non-footy-fanatic nuts leave you with at least a few tips to raise your cup:
1. FOODBALL
What’s any football match without a little sustenance to get you through it? We came up with a unique way to tie in the football theme to classic game-watching fare.
Home-made football pizzas are as easy as it gets.
Use mozzarella or white cheddar and, after you’ve layered on the tomato sauce, be sure to add your toppings- save for the black olives- before you add the cheese. Once the cheese has melted over the other toppings, add the black olives on top of the cheese to create the illusion of a football.
2. PENALTY
A football match is the perfect opportunity to take the penalty and enjoy some treats. Sticking with the theme of the day, turn regular cupcakes into mini soccer ball bites!
Easy to prepare, the black icing is the trickiest part to pipe onto the cupcake. Using an extremely fine tip, pipe a circle in the middle of the cupcake, then add on five thin lines. At the base of each line, draw half a circle.
3. UN-SPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR
Luckily you’re not a sportsman, you’re a spectator. And that means at every blow of the whistle you can wet your whistle with a variety of beers from around the world. Depending on the match and the competing teams, find a beer that reigns from each country’s homeland. A few examples include: Kronenburg 1664 from France, Wells from England, Tecate from Mexico and Spaten from Germany. For a full list of 2014 World Cup Beers click here.
4. CATCH A MATCH
If your at-home-theatre just doesn’t cut it when it comes to replicating the rowdy stands that mark the beginnings of any exciting football match, meander down to one of Ottawa’s best pubs. Our suggestions are known for their large football following.
The Georgetown: Located on Bank Street, in Old Ottawa South, here you will find, cold beer, big screens and an animated crowd. Known for airing footy matches year-round, this pub will draw in the real fans.
Berryman’s: Located further north on Bank Street, the sounds of jubilant football fans can often be heard from the open windows of this relatively new Ottawa pub.
The Senate: A nutshell favourite, the Senate is located downtown, in the heart of the Byward Market, and will be sure to have favourite soccer games playing around the clock.
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