World Cup thread

Match Day 1
V Croatia
Dallas (AT+T) Stadium
We landed in Dallas on Monday evening.
We stopped at the Drury Plaza, a really good choice of hotel who were welcoming of footy fans. Given 2 small England flags, reception informed us that it was x3 free drinks and snacks until 1900hrs.
Look at the watch 10mins to go.
A co-ordinated approach saw food and alcohol lined up as we settled down in the bar to watch the NZ game.
It had been a horrific drive up from our base in Lockhart where the rain, thunder storms with lightening were of biblical proportions.
Really strange as we first stopped for lunch in Georgetown. A quaint Texas small town with a ye olde feel to it.
From there in baking sun it was on to Waco Texas.
Magnolia silos (ask the Mrs) was again a pleasant enough stop and we heard our first cries of "Come on England" as a ex pat Villa fan tried to convince us that he had been subject to a ticket scam but had still got tickets for the Croatia game.
From sunshine to horrific conditions just like that.
Early-ish to bed and ready for Wednesday.
Up brekkie England kits on we awaited the late arrival of Jack G. Ex vital ed he now works for the mail, focusing on City.
Jack's a good lad, photos with the big flag (RIP) and leisurely walk towards the ground.
Temperature was up in to the 90s. As we made our way to the ground. Around a 20min walk, disappointed that there was nothing at all outside the confines of the stadium for fans to do. The walmart opposite enabled alcohol and snacks as fans from both sides sat down by the side of the road under the shelter of trees. The friendly policeman who had a gazebo to shade him from that midday sun offered us his folding chair and then gave me his knife to enable me to take the tops off the cool corona bottles.
After 3 mins a Croatian fan stood up and came to my rescue with a swift swipe he removed the tops off 2 bottles. I gave the knife back to plod who said I had greatly loosened them.
He repeated the task two more tomes as I refused to show off any knife skills to z cars. My best effort saw me take the top off the bottle, still attached to the bottle neck..
Comically after selling beer and snacks to hundreds of fams the Walmart manager came out to inform everyone that they couldn’t eat and drink on their land. Needless to say our favourite policeman didn’t enforce it.
We heard a cheer as the stadium opened and we said our goodbyes and made our way in to the ground. Ticket which had only gone live on phones 30mins beforehand, scanned and we were in to the outside confined area. Bits going on for the kids, huge queues for giveaways we opted to walk right in.
Whilst the ladies went for beer (passport required) myself and Worsley set off to find our seats and lay out the flag. Some were already up. Its a long story but needless to say mine ended up in a prime corner flag spot following the stewards advice and approval only to be nowhere to be see at 15mins to kick off. Removed by fifa despite an approved licence and to make matters worse the front of our section was adorned with dozens of flags. At full time that steward got a drunken full on off me.
The stadium despite promises via calls - the unanswered emails meant the flags gone forever. Wasn't alone in that respect, QPR fans, Derby all there at the desk asking the same question...
Before the match. The bars had a great atmosphere loads of singing, sprinkling of Croats and a lot of Yanks wearing one of both teams' colours.
The match itself was a game of 2 halves.
The right result came through. And there we were 20minutes after full time singing song after sing with the players in the pitch. It really was a special moment, one to saviour and enjoy.
Its a memory that I'll never forget.
All this on our wedding anniversary. My wife really doesn't know how lucky she is😁
Back towards the hotel we stopped off at a huge bar / grill where a rather merry us ordered more than we could ever eat.
Off to the hotel and straight upstairs for that shower.
I had an hr and spent most of the night awake recalling what I had experienced by watching our favourite ref officiate the. Uzbekistan match that kicked off at 11pm.
The prem gets a load of stick, but when you watch Rice, Kane live in that sort of moment it really does make you realise they are at the top of their profession.
Poor Modric, gave away a pen, subbed early, the last time I saw him that dejected was on a cold Tues night at Bloomers when Holllowords put spuds to the sword. That night we watched the 1hr highlights in the Bloomfield club right after the game. Still remember that like it was yesterday, I’m certain this game will be just like that spuds one.
If you ever get an opportunity to do this ,take it with both hands, sometimes just 1 match is just special.
 
SeasideEssexXile said:
Match Day 1
V Croatia
Dallas (AT+T) Stadium
We landed in Dallas on Monday evening.
We stopped at the Drury Plaza, a really good choice of hotel who were welcoming of footy fans. Given 2 small England flags, reception informed us that it was x3 free drinks and snacks until 1900hrs.
Look at the watch 10mins to go.
A co-ordinated approach saw food and alcohol lined up as we settled down in the bar to watch the NZ game.
It had been a horrific drive up from our base in Lockhart where the rain, thunder storms with lightening were of biblical proportions.
Really strange as we first stopped for lunch in Georgetown. A quaint Texas small town with a ye olde feel to it.
From there in baking sun it was on to Waco Texas.
Magnolia silos (ask the Mrs) was again a pleasant enough stop and we heard our first cries of "Come on England" as a ex pat Villa fan tried to convince us that he had been subject to a ticket scam but had still got tickets for the Croatia game.
From sunshine to horrific conditions just like that.
Early-ish to bed and ready for Wednesday.
Up brekkie England kits on we awaited the late arrival of Jack G. Ex vital ed he now works for the mail, focusing on City.
Jack's a good lad, photos with the big flag (RIP) and leisurely walk towards the ground.
Temperature was up in to the 90s. As we made our way to the ground. Around a 20min walk, disappointed that there was nothing at all outside the confines of the stadium for fans to do. The walmart opposite enabled alcohol and snacks as fans from both sides sat down by the side of the road under the shelter of trees. The friendly policeman who had a gazebo to shade him from that midday sun offered us his folding chair and then gave me his knife to enable me to take the tops off the cool corona bottles.
After 3 mins a Croatian fan stood up and came to my rescue with a swift swipe he removed the tops off 2 bottles. I gave the knife back to plod who said I had greatly loosened them.
He repeated the task two more tomes as I refused to show off any knife skills to z cars. My best effort saw me take the top off the bottle, still attached to the bottle neck..
Comically after selling beer and snacks to hundreds of fams the Walmart manager came out to inform everyone that they couldn’t eat and drink on their land. Needless to say our favourite policeman didn’t enforce it.
We heard a cheer as the stadium opened and we said our goodbyes and made our way in to the ground. Ticket which had only gone live on phones 30mins beforehand, scanned and we were in to the outside confined area. Bits going on for the kids, huge queues for giveaways we opted to walk right in.
Whilst the ladies went for beer (passport required) myself and Worsley set off to find our seats and lay out the flag. Some were already up. Its a long story but needless to say mine ended up in a prime corner flag spot following the stewards advice and approval only to be nowhere to be see at 15mins to kick off. Removed by fifa despite an approved licence and to make matters worse the front of our section was adorned with dozens of flags. At full time that steward got a drunken full on off me.
The stadium despite promises via calls - the unanswered emails meant the flags gone forever. Wasn't alone in that respect, QPR fans, Derby all there at the desk asking the same question...
Before the match. The bars had a great atmosphere loads of singing, sprinkling of Croats and a lot of Yanks wearing one of both teams' colours.
The match itself was a game of 2 halves.
The right result came through. And there we were 20minutes after full time singing song after sing with the players in the pitch. It really was a special moment, one to saviour and enjoy.
Its a memory that I'll never forget.
All this on our wedding anniversary. My wife really doesn't know how lucky she is😁
Back towards the hotel we stopped off at a huge bar / grill where a rather merry us ordered more than we could ever eat.
Off to the hotel and straight upstairs for that shower.
I had an hr and spent most of the night awake recalling what I had experienced by watching our favourite ref officiate the. Uzbekistan match that kicked off at 11pm.
The prem gets a load of stick, but when you watch Rice, Kane live in that sort of moment it really does make you realise they are at the top of their profession.
Poor Modric, gave away a pen, subbed early, the last time I saw him that dejected was on a cold Tues night at Bloomers when Holllowords put spuds to the sword. That night we watched the 1hr highlights in the Bloomfield club right after the game. Still remember that like it was yesterday, I’m certain this game will be just like that spuds one.
If you ever get an opportunity to do this ,take it with both hands, sometimes just 1 match is just special.
Click to expand...
Couple of things Dave;

1) Happy Wedding Anniversary
2) You drunk? Can't imagine it myself

🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
Cheers Paul
Believe it or not I rarely drink nowadays, usually only at footy and out of 23 home matches last season I drove to 18 and I never touch a drop when driving.
 
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