Brazil 2014, The Football World Cup thread Options

[Claude]

I know many of you aren't interested in association football, but it's not just about the beautiful game, there are knock-on effects too.

For those that don't know, England are schedule to play three 'group' games, the first, against Italy on Saturday 14th June kicks off at 11pm (BST).

Win, lose or draw I imagine Newbury Market Place will be pretty chaotic at 1am.

Can anyone remember any other similarly-timed events which attracted large volumes of 'drunken hooligans' () in the same way I expect this game will?

And for what it's worth I don't think England will progress past the group stage and Woy will be sacked shortly afterwards, but that's just the optimist in me.

[Strafin]

I can't wait! I don't think we will do too well either, to many people in the squad who have been around for too long and don't try anymore, Rooney for example. But there is nothing else that creates an atmosphere acros the globe like the World Cup, and it he atmosphere will be electric for two weeks!

[MontyPython]

.... to many people in the squad who have been around for too long ....

He hasn't named the squad yet has he?

Some of the Southampton players may make the squad along with some of the other youth players.

I don't expect us to win it though

[Strafin]

He hasn't named the squad yet has he?

Fair point, we can guess most of it from tonight though.

[spartacus]

Weren't there plans to put up jumbo TV screens in the Market Place for the last major football competition but it all turned out to be a major non-event and a flop? I can't remember if it was the weather that kept the crowds away or the big screens were screened off so heavily with additional security in place making sure nobody was getting a free peek that it became quite intimidating. Hope they don't try that again.

[Claude]

Weren't there plans to put up jumbo TV screens in the Market Place for the last major football competition but it all turned out to be a major non-event and a flop? I can't remember if it was the weather that kept the crowds away or the big screens were screened off so heavily with additional security in place making sure nobody was getting a free peek that it became quite intimidating. Hope they don't try that again.

I don't remember that one. But I can't see large screens being popular, especially for the opening game, unless there are outdoor bars legally serving alcohol. I'm still not sure whether I'd prefer to be at home or in the pub for the Italy game.