A Gooner’s 2018 World Cup Diary - Part Three

Day Three – Argentina v Iceland in Spartak Moscow’s stadium



A Gooner’s 2018 World Cup Diary - Part Three

Our view of the Argentina v Iceland game


Sunday 17th June 9.30am (Moscow)
Yesterday morning, my host Ivan Merc and myself took a domestic flight from St Petersburg to Moscow, after driving to the airport. We made good time. On arrival, the airport was a 45 minute train journey to Moscow itself. We are staying in a hotel just south of the ‘garden ring road’ that surrounds the centre proper. It’s about three metro stops to Red Square. We caught the first half of the France v Australia game on a giant TV in a communal area of the hotel. It is strange to see a France squad without any Arsenal involvement, probably for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s first double season in 1998. The general lack of Arsenal representation at these finals reflects of the club’s sadly declining status in recent seasons, but may at least help Unai Emery as he prepares for his first campaign in England. At half time, we began making our leisurely way to Spartak Moscow’s stadium, some way north of the centre, via the metro.

At this point, I shall mention that Ivan likes a modest bet to give him more interest in the World Cup matches. So with four games yesterday he did a four bet accumulator, also backing his selections with trebles if three of the four came in. So five bets in total - a fourfold plus four trebles. He backed France to beat Australia, Iceland to score a goal against Argentina, Denmark to beat Peru and less than 2.5 goals in the Croatia v Nigeria match. He put on the equivalent of a fiver (i.e. £1 per bet) and made about £50 as all four bets came in. He’s asked me to relay his bets today for the benefit of Gooner readers, so here they are…
1 - More than 2.5 goals for Costa Rica v Serbia
2 - Germany v Mexico more than 2.5 goals
3 - Brazil v Switzerland – Brazil to win with a 1.5 goals handicap (e.g. win by more than a single goal and the bet wins).
He’s putting on three doubles and a treble. Good luck if you want to gamble alongside him!

It took about 45 minutes, walk from the hotel included, to reach the metro next to Spartak Moscow’s stadium. The weather in Moscow was gorgeous, bright sunny skies. So a pleasure when you are out and about. We were psychologically prepared, after Friday, for delays getting in so left earlier than we might have. As in St Petersburg, there is a long walk around a 200 metre perimeter from the stadium before you get to the first and main checkpoint. I saw a lot of people with ‘ticket needed’ signs outside the metro, but no touts. These people looked like actual would-be attendees. I am not sure what happens if they do get offered a ticket. There is a Fan ID centre at every stadium. Let’s assume those buying the tickets have a Fan ID in the first place (surely they are not going to produce one there and then). Do they go to the Fan ID centre with the ticket they have just bought (with someone else’s name on it) and get a new ticket produced with their own details? There is a reason I am pondering this, as I will explain later. For those who are uncertain what I am talking about, if you have bought tickets for the finals, you apply for a Fan ID with your passport details to a) act as your entry visa into the country and b) get access to the stadiums (although not always elsewhere, as I will get to!)

As stated (if memory serves me) in a previous entry, Argentina v Iceland was the most in demand ticket for the group stages, so there were plenty of ticketless people – especially Argentinians by the look of things – trying to get in. Perhaps they did not know about the extra checks necessary to gain access. When we got to our entrance, a pleasant surprise – lots of gates and no real queues to speak of. When we did enter, getting our Fan IDs and tickets scanned, Ivan spotted that on the other side of the turnstile they had screens on which the Fan ID photo appeared, checked by a security guy who did a body search. So let’s say I gave you my ticket and my Fan ID so you could get into the stadium pretending to be me… well in theory, you would have to look like my twin. How the touts are combatting this, I am uncertain.

Ivan had done some research online and found out that people who used tickets that did not match their Fan ID were not being granted entry at the turnstiles. No idea what happened next, whether or not there was some process by which they could gain admittance after a convincing explanation elsewhere, maybe at the aforementioned Fan ID centre. He also discovered that at Yekaterinburg, in the Urals, the most eastern of all the venues (where Egypt played Uruguay), the Fan ID was never checked, but passports were, presumably against the names on the tickets. So a different system, but not one necessarily any easier to fool, although given the queues at St Petersburg, I imagine not one that would have taken much longer.

This could, potentially, have huge implications for football generally in countries where they decide to implement the technology. However, that’s a discussion for another time. We got into the stadium 55 minutes before kick off and had a leisurely stroll up to our concourse, with time to buy overpriced food and drink before taking our seats. Spartak’s stadium has a 45,000 capacity and it’s another good venue with excellent sightlines and a wall of corporate boxes dominating the top half of the stand on one side. We were at the end where most of the Iceland fans were congregated, although it was noticeable that Argentina seemed to have far more fans – and actual Argentinians too as when their chants came up, they all knowingly joined in. Ok, there were a handful of Japanese people in Messi shirts, but not many. This dominance in numbers came as a bit of a surprise, but then again I recall a lot of Iceland fans got into serious hock attending the Euros in France two years ago and some may still be paying off their debts for that one. And Russia isn’t cheap.

We expected the game that we got. Iceland defending valiantly in numbers and making selective forays upfield. Effectively, it became a case of Messi trying to unpick the defensive lock by doing his run across the edge of the area trying to get a shot away on his favoured left foot. I think he had maybe three such efforts in the 90 minutes, but no joy. Sergio Aguero’s goal was a nice piece of self-created opportunism after Iceland had a great chance which was fluffed, although they weren’t behind for long. Ivan compared Argentina’s defence to Arsenal’s and had won this part of his accumulator. Of course, the main event in the remainder of the game was the missed Messi penalty. It wasn’t a great one, amazing given the quality of the player, but not the first one he’s missed by any stretch of the imagination. It turns out he ‘s a bit of a serial miser of spot-kicks in recent times. Sevilla’s Ever Banega was on the pitch by this time and many thought he should have started instead of two holding midfielders in the shape of Mascherano and Biglia. No need for such defensive security against Iceland, so manager Sampaoli got that one wrong.

Anyway, it ended 1-1, with Icelandic celebrations and Argentina’s players not hanging around too long. Once again, those in the upper tier were prevented from exiting in the name of safety, but we were ready for it this time, and just sat in our seats. One other aspect of the World Cup experience is the volunteers outside the stadium with the big foam hands pointing you to the route you have to take to the metro. It’s a bit pointless because there is so much security preventing you from taking any other route, so some simply choose to instead high five as many passing fans as they can with their giant foam hands. Ivan indulges them sometimes. But it’s all a bit of a contrast with the holding you back in the stadium thing and the menacing look of the police - and then saying thanks for coming. It would be somehow more fitting to be coshed over the head by the riot police on the way out, but hey, we’re all having a great time, correct?

We got back to the hotel in time to see Denmark beat a Peru side whose finishing left a lot to be desired. A woman from Peru was watching the game on the big screen there and really living it. She made anxious whimpering sounds whenever Denmark got near the Peru final third and hopeful ones when they were in attack. Frankly it reminded me of the sound certain women make when they have sex, and found it utterly compelling. I felt for her though, when her boys did not deliver, so to speak.

Ivan and I made a trip to a neighbouring bar later to watch Nigeria play Croatia to see if his final selection would come in. The Africans did not pull up any trees and I can see them finishing bottom of the group. They certainly won’t defend as well as Iceland when they face Argentina. Alex Iwobi didn’t make much of an impression and was withdrawn in the second half. At least he will be back for pre-season training well before the Premier League starts, going on last night’s game.

Today, we have Germany v Mexico in Moscow’s bigger Luzhniki Stadium, which Ivan tells me has been closed for five seasons as the rebuild for these finals went ahead. It has now got shot of the athletics track that was there when Manchester United beat Chelsea here in the 2008 CL final, as you might have seen when Russia beat Saudi Arabia. It will host the final, so it’s good to see a game in the venue as one of the four matches I will attend. It’s another beautiful summer’s day here in Moscow – and I hope you are enjoying your Sundays. Tomorrow we are up at 5am to catch a train to the airport for our early flight back to St Petersburg. England kick off their finals tomorrow evening against Tunisia…


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29
comments

  1. mbg

    Jun 19, 2018, 2:21 #110703

    Ron, Bantry, and bantry bay, and you'll hear the song called after it sung and played plenty of times when your there, it's a small country over here but still a bit to far for me to travel (3 to 4 hours drive by car) or i'd have met up with you for a pint.

  2. John F

    Jun 18, 2018, 22:03 #110700

    Agree about Hoddle Ron,England played some good stuff under him it was a shame he started to go all mystic meg and express some poor views about disabled people.I have never understood why his name is never mentioned regarding manager vacancies.As for England I have an inner battle going on between my support for England and my dislike for anything to do with the tiny totts.When Kane scored i found myself cheering while raising two fingers at the screen at the same time.Did Putin switch off Vars for the England game as it ignored Kane being taken down by a Mick McManus move.I was hoping an old lady with a head scarf on would get on the pitch and start hitting the Tunisian defenders with her handbag with Ken Walton commentating.

  3. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 16:48 #110695

    CG - Yr right. I d probably see today's WC different if i was in my 20s. I suffer from a a bit of spudophobia too mate i think! Bloody spuds everywhere in that squad and isnt Deli Alli irritating. Agree with you re Italy. Good place to be at any time though!

  4. A Cornish Gooner

    Jun 18, 2018, 16:36 #110694

    Agree Ron. Although we've ultimately failed on so many occasions, I think we could have won at least one more trophy. I think our '70 team was good enough to go further.

  5. A Cornish Gooner

    Jun 18, 2018, 16:23 #110693

    Ron. Fair enough, if you've got better things to do. I've been in Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey during WCs and Euros. I've always experienced huge interest and support for the home nation. As far as the 'hype' goes, it's not really a problem. I switch on at kick off time and switch off when the game is over. It's just the ninety minutes of football I'm interested in, and maybe replays of great goals. I'm not really 'enthusing' about the WC, I just enjoy football. You lost interest forty odd years ago. How would you feel about this year's WC if you were in your twenties now, I wonder? Have a great holiday in The Vendee. Sorry to hear your nearest wc is four miles away!

  6. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 16:21 #110692

    CG - The 98 WC was a decent one though wasnt it. Some good sides that year in fairness. Eng never ought to have sacked Hoddle. Good bloke for that job he was.

  7. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 15:48 #110689

    mbg - im over in Ireland in August for a week. West Cork area staying near Bantry. Doing some of the wild Atlantic way and biking the Beara peninsula. Never been to Ireland. How bad is that! Looking forward to it.

  8. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 15:26 #110686

    CG - Hi. I hear youre points matey. Im one of many who dont trouble themselves too much about internationals and havent for a long time. I dont feel im missing out either. If i felt that way about it, i d watch it surely? Football generally? True enough, very sceptical about the quality of the PL and certainly about the quality of the international teams too. Do any stand out? I think not. It is a circus or a jamboree, what ever way you want to look at it, just as is the Olympics etc. Its not a derogatory term or at least isnt meant to be. Its just for me personally i dont want to spend countless hours looking at football repeatedly in the Summer months. Its true as well, i have what i think are better things to do. Football interests me and the Gunners but not close to what it did years ago, even 10 years back. Ive not been to Arsenal at home for 4 years and not seen an away game for 2. It doesn't stop me following the club, but that it, a follower not a supporter. People who no longer go arent supporters, we do just follow. After 40 odd years of doing the games, that does me for now. You mention old Finals. Like you, i loved it back then. They were truly fine teams, the Italy team too who lost that final. They had played only a few days before in the heat and altitude and with a greater break the outcome may have been different? For me, the quality of WC s has declined markedly since the 82 Finals. I hope Eng do ok of course, but the frenzy of the TV coverage here and the outpouring of the multitude of 'pundits' isnt for me, nor is the mood of people who allow the WC to own them for a few weeks. I simply prefer to step aside from it. As with yself, a few of my old match going cronies still enthuse about WCs, while the opposite has occurred for them in that their interest in Arsenal has wavered much this last few years. Thats fine by me.Yr right though, because mine has as well. Those of my veteran football fan age dont take football so seriously now i find. Its become so cosmetic and celebrity driven esp at the top end of the game. I get as much enjoyment when a few of us get to see some non league now. I still love football deeep down. I played till last 40s and have coached under 12s on and off for quite some years. The delivery of the game these days though and the false hype its given leaves me cold though in the main, so a chance to ignore it is for me welcomed. Like others football used to dictate my time at one time of the day. No more and im glad about that. PS The nearest bar/restaurant to me in France is 4 miles away. Fishing gets more attention than football. France is really a combination of countries within a Country still and it varies much as to what each region takes as important. Ive not noticed much fervour for it where i go and ive been going for 25 years. Its pretty remote and ill be doing a bit of fishing as well as getting out on the bike! Ive no UK TV in my park home either. Enjoy the WC though if you can. Gtee you, i dont miss it or its blanket coverage.

  9. mbg

    Jun 18, 2018, 15:04 #110685

    Ron, SW France for five weeks, nice one, Enjoy, Oh and keep an eye out for a skinny dude on the beech wearing Budgie smugglers and playing volley ball.

  10. A Cornish Gooner

    Jun 18, 2018, 14:30 #110684

    Ron. I’m not suggesting that anybody who chooses to avoid the WC ‘circus’, as you disdainfully describe it, is either left field or abnormal, any more than those who choose to watch it. I appreciate there are some on here who have things they would rather do, such as follow their higher intellectual pursuits of, say, picnicking or reading a book (or three) in the garden. Are you seriously suggesting that if France come up against Germany in any round or get to the semi-final or even the final, that you can walk into a bar in any village in The Vendee, however small, and there won’t be huge interest from the locals. Even if France aren’t playing the French will want to watch any German game hoping they will be knocked out. If you don’t want to get involved in that sort of atmosphere I think you’re missing out. My best WC experience was being in Florence for the 1970 final. Watched the game in the large restaurant of the camp site we were staying in. ‘66 final was good watching on TV at home, but in some ways the ’70 final was better because of the atmosphere. Isn’t that what you enjoy on your Arsenal away days with your mates in the midlands/NW? Come to think of it Ron I’m not too sure what you DO enjoy about today’s professional football.

  11. Exiled in Pt

    Jun 18, 2018, 12:50 #110681

    Wilshere has a contract offer on the table but he has been told he will only be a squad player by Dick , slightly different to Granit getting an extension which is no guarantee he will play every game ! Think for Jack he would suit West ham the club he supported as a boy better they will build around him maybe? WC so far Ronaldo is world class and Messi not so good in an Argentina shirt .JJ your spot on with Brazil . Germany very poor . Have to be honest not seen anything that makes me change my opinion on international football so far ..

  12. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 12:40 #110680

    CG - Im sure theres feverish interest in the urban areas, esp in the North but not a lot amongst those in the Vendee where i ll be im sure. French coverage is nothing like it is here thankfully, whatever the event. Cant truly see why those of us who choose to avoid the WC circus are in some way seen as left field or at worst, abnormal. We can only speak for ourselves and for me, no UK TV coverage and little internet access is a blessing till its all done. The WC s done nothing for me since the 80s in truth.

  13. A Cornish Gooner

    Jun 18, 2018, 11:52 #110678

    Ron. I didn’t realise that there was no French interest in WC football in SW France.

  14. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 11:12 #110677

    Peter - its just Wilsheres fitness really isnt it. It seems that somebody has now faced it and told him hes unreliable, through no fault of his own. Would have been a really good player had he have never had the fitness issues maybe. Its been 10 yrs now and his time has gone at Arsenal. Needs to follow Wally s lead and seek a less pressured environment perhaps. As for Granit, hes not pulled up trees under AW for sure, but he is worth another Season to have a better look at him i think under a Coach who will perhaps spell out to him whats expected.

  15. Yes its Ron

    Jun 18, 2018, 10:14 #110675

    JJ - No, happily ignoring it all save for checking scores on the BEEB website. Destination SW France for 5 weeks on Wed so it ll be a total WC estrangement for me from then on. Lovely! Sorry to disappoint you of course matey.

  16. peter wain

    Jun 18, 2018, 8:05 #110674

    so Granit gets an extension and Wiltshire is shown the door. Quite what Granit has done to deserve any extension is beyond me.

  17. mbg

    Jun 18, 2018, 1:05 #110673

    jj, the other two are fighting over the TV, best seats and which games to watch, even though there are three tellys in the care home, hee hee.

  18. mbg

    Jun 18, 2018, 0:53 #110672

    Goonhogday, yes the Mexican fella, remember him, I wonder is he still on the Stella.

  19. Goonhogday

    Jun 17, 2018, 21:53 #110670

    Very impressed with Carlos Vela today ... That’s a phrase I never thought I’d write! Great WC so far.

  20. jjetplane

    Jun 17, 2018, 21:07 #110669

    Brazil are just so overhyped and thought when they mentioned their big 4 I thought OK but without their goal it was the Swiss asking the questions and they out-muscled Brazil. These is such fun it will be a shame to miss any games but tomorrow I miss bleeding England! Love it whenever Miranda gets on the ball Brzzzzillle and inmagiing her saying 'here Neymar hold the baby I'm taking this as she lifts her skirt up' .... Yakyakyak. Bet all the negatives are secretly watching it all but have too much Pride to post. Not sure where 'the other two are' yakyak.

  21. CORNISH GOONER

    Jun 17, 2018, 19:53 #110668

    Apathetic Ozil yet again. He clearly couldn't give a **** about Germany's humiliation. Contrast with Ben Youngs the England scrum half who took a hammering from the media after England's latest loss against South Africa. Why? Because he was clearly upset & angry & walked away from the usual imbecilic post match interview questions. This is the sort of "bad loser" image that I want to see restored in Dick's new Arsenal if/when they come unstuck next season. No more Mr Nice Guy stuff needed at the Emirates.

  22. markymark

    Jun 17, 2018, 18:59 #110667

    Another great World Cup match . The negative mob with their don’t bother watching it line are looking foolish . Well done Mexico!

  23. jjetplane

    Jun 17, 2018, 18:29 #110665

    Still shaking from that Mexico game which will go down in history and shock horror Ozil went missing! Mexico breaking Baddd big time and here's praying Germany go out at the group stages. This may yet be a WC to really remember. Must be a Mexican link in the family - got a cousin in New Mexico cause that was a nail biting second half. Brilliant!

  24. TonyEvans

    Jun 17, 2018, 18:25 #110664

    Is Wenger managing Germany now?

  25. John F

    Jun 17, 2018, 18:16 #110662

    Excellent game Well done Mexico,they could of won by more.I am not sure whether the fancied sides are not so good or the lesser ranked sides are just getting better but it is making the games enjoyable to watch with the added bonus of the red button on the BBC so I can listen to the excellent radio 5 commentary.Only Spain have looked a class above so far but the new more solid Brazil will have a point to prove tonight.I do get the feeling an unfancied side may just do very well in this tournament maybe Russia with the home backing.

  26. mbg

    Jun 17, 2018, 17:02 #110661

    Yes and it says for a lot for his/this so called eye for a player he was supposed to have, and how he has/was supposed to have made these players, Henry's, Pireses, Petits, Vieras, etc, who has he made since ? (more like destroyed)like George Grahams back five it's easy to take credit for a player who's already there and falls into his lap at the right time, like all those did.

  27. jjetplane

    Jun 17, 2018, 15:24 #110659

    Knives out for Ozil today who may be dropped for his atrocious behaviour at Arsenal as well as other issues. Interesting to see how Gundogan fares who is certainly the more responsible and committed of the pair. Alright Kev! Haha!

  28. jjetplane

    Jun 17, 2018, 15:05 #110658

    Must say the contrast between Iwobi with all his gameplay and Joel Campbell today with his lack of games is a story in itself. Campbell came on as a sub against a superior Serbia and immediately became Costa Rica's best player. He is an intelligent player and would take over Iwobi anyday and perhaps all the time Joel as had away from Wenger's coachless Arsenal has done him good in the way that it has made Iwobi someone living in the easy lane. Loving these posts Kevin so keep it up.

  29. jjetplane

    Jun 17, 2018, 14:03 #110656

    Unai will probably get Iwobi back very soon as his showing last night along with the rest of his team was just plain awful. When Iwobi was taken off the apathy was plain to see in his limp high fives. If that is Iwobi on a big stage he needs to set his heights a lot lower than Arsenal. Certainly will have Unai thinking and really looking at some of this current squad who rate in lower than Iwobi. The idea that a player such as Bellerin might think he is a cert to play under Unai would be a big mistake. As you say Kevin it is a grande (sic) reflection on far this club has sunk under Wenger. Don't think he will commentating on many games either though he has little else on his plate. Guess the TV companies look at him and think do we want a disinterested old man repeating phrases like 'great mental speerit' ad nauseum. Right back to Costa Rica (tenacious) v Serbia (2nd gear).