June 29, 2010 7:02 PM
While the G20 briefly displaced the World Cup as the main topic at water coolers in Toronto, the soccer tournament is back to being the talk of most street corners.
June 29, 2010 1:58 PM
Passing around the terere, friends from Paraguay watched their team play against Japan. Some had only just arrived in Montreal in the past few days and in the midst of all the changes here at their friends Fatima and Daniel's house they could feel close to home again.
June 28, 2010 5:52 PM
In many a World Cup game watching at various bars all over Montreal the crowd is often of one colour. Sometimes both teams are represented in the bar though usually one side outweighs the other. At Champs on St. Laurent today there was a healthy mix of Brazil and Chile fans trying to out cheer each other.
June 28, 2010 3:33 PM
In the television room of this refugee shelter in Toronto's west end, five countries -- Afghanistan, Guatemala, India, Somalia and Hungary -- are all represented by the people gathered on the sticky black vinyl couches.
June 28, 2010 2:58 PM
The highly anticipated England vs. Germany match and I'm heading to the
Burrard Queen which is docked at Granville Island. It's one of those big
charter yachts that are used for weddings and parties (the ever-famous
Heineken white boat cruise, which is already sold out for later this
summer)
June 27, 2010 8:04 PM
It's 7am and you are pumped to see the early morning World Cup soccer.
You head over to Commercial Drive so you can experience World Cup soccer
with other fans. You park on the Commercial thinking it's all good
and then you come out after the game and your car is gone.
No, it hasn't been stolen. It's been towed.
June 27, 2010 5:51 PM
"Almighty God we pray that you help all the players this morning, let them do their best. But above all, let the Ghanaians do their best. They are all your children but let Ghana beat the US this morning and give us something to celebrate. "
Ghana fans joined together in prayer before the Black Stars hit the pitch in the round of 16 versus the U.S.
June 27, 2010 5:16 PM
So far in this World Cup I have met fans from all walks of life who often have interesting stories as to how they became a fan of soccer or a particular team. One waitress this morning became a fan of England because "when England does well, I do well," she said. It was the same story for her during the playoffs with Les Habs.
June 27, 2010 2:04 PM
Throughout this World Cup, The Duke of Duckworth has been the home for soccer fans in St. John's. There's really no close second.
The best business, however, is done when England is playing. If you've been to any games, or if you've been following my blog, you know what I'm talking about.
June 27, 2010 1:36 PM
Courtney Battistone knew the British Press Club wouldn't want to miss this match.
June 27, 2010 1:01 PM
Many a time it's the people that come to something later in life that are the most passionate or devout, whether it's religion or the religion of soccer. My old soccer coach, Justin Genest, only started playing soccer at 17 years old and that's when he discovered the England side and Liverpool's (at the time) Michael Owen. Since then his life has revolved around soccer.
June 26, 2010 7:16 PM
"When you're hungry you go play soccer and you feel free."
June 26, 2010 6:24 PM
The Americans have been one of the most exciting teams to watch so far at the World Cup, displaying a resilient style of play that has pushed them into the Round of 16.
June 26, 2010 11:41 AM
What a great way to start my morning. I heard some young voices from the back of the bus I take every day to get to the nearest Metro singing the K'naan song Waving Flag. I went to the back and found four- year-old Quasy and five-year-old Camdyn singing together and they were (thankfully) not shy to sing for the camera.
June 26, 2010 9:56 AM
Una chance mas! "One more chance," chants a fan after Chile finishes second in Group H and advances to the next round in the World Cup. Another fan quickly adds," I think when they go to the second round it should be a draw because it's always unfair. We always have to play against Brazil."
June 25, 2010 5:22 PM
I was delighted to see the
Romero family again, this time supporting their real team among their own people. What a culturally aware and culturally exciting family.
June 25, 2010 4:22 PM
After yesterday's unexpected departure of the defending champions, Italy, it was morbid here on the Drive.
Except for the team of 5 Paraguayans running up and down the streets waving their flags, it was dead.
June 25, 2010 12:59 PM
Portuguese and Brazil families, mixed families and even families from different cultures turned out to watch the game with the Portuguese. Some were following their favourite players, others just soccer culture.
June 24, 2010 8:21 PM
Walking up to the Alpen Club, I know I'm in the right place for the
Germany vs. Ghana game. German car flags are waving and even a car is
painted red, black and yellow. This is Germany's headquarters as I know
it will be at full capacity for this Group D final.
I shuttle my way up to the front, bobbing and weaving through German
fans and find a seat beside the security guard.
June 24, 2010 7:56 PM
In Little Italy in Montreal I had my first sighting of Paraguayan fans. A
good group of them paraded on the street taking pictures in their
colourful apparel. I will hopefully be watching Paraguay's next game
with them at one of their homes. Paraguayans don't have a central spot
to go to in Montreal and are a little spread out so this group makes an
effort to come together.
June 24, 2010 4:11 PM
I didn't think I was going to a funeral today or I would have worn black.
That's exactly what it felt like on the Drive as defending champions Italy failed to tie or win against first-time qualifiers Slovakia in the 3-2 final loss. Just as you expect the Lakers (like them or not) to make the NBA playoffs, you EXPECT Italy to make to the World Cup finals, certainly the round of 16! It's just the way it is.
June 24, 2010 2:51 PM
What a difference four years can make.
The date was July 9, 2006. Deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time, Italy beat France 5-3 in the penalty shootout to capture their fourth World Cup title.
June 24, 2010 12:42 PM
Shades of France in 2002.
What started as a fun, optomisitic morning at Christian's Bar ended in silence this morning.
June 24, 2010 12:42 PM
The streets are empty. The stores are closed. There is activity in the east of the city as the parade of giants gets ready to start. It's St. Jean Baptiste, Quebec's national holiday, and the city is shut down to its bare essentials. T
he parks have picnics and barbecues and little stalls selling all sorts of trinkets, Quebec themed and home made. Parts of Montreal are populated with hoards of people in blue and white and the fleur de lys painted on their cheeks.
June 24, 2010 8:18 AM
For a couple of days prior to group B final, I went asking around for the best place to watch Greece play their final game in the group round Argentina.
I decided to drive into Greek town and stopped by a barbershop, a restaurant and a random guy on the street and they all said, "The Billiards".
June 23, 2010 3:33 PM
An hour before Serbia's final group match, I met up with two passionate Serbian-Canadians trying to stay cool in the shade outside a Mississauga community centre, waiting impatiently for the match to begin.
June 23, 2010 11:54 AM
What a morning at the Duke.
For the favourites, England and USA, the way out Group C was simple. Win and you're in.
And win they did, but not without drama.
June 23, 2010 9:49 AM
For the first time in this World Cup, there's a do or die buzz in the air in St. John's.
Sure, you can find the odd fan from other countries... but this is an England town.
And England has to win today.
June 23, 2010 8:12 AM
"I used to watch TV, (cartoons), but now I watch FIFA in the morning," says 6-year old Cole as he kicks his soccer ball and leans up against his mini-sized soccer net in his front yard.
Cole's mother laughs and says, "He watches FIFA highlights longer than I usually let him watch cartoons."
June 22, 2010 1:05 PM
I watched the Uruguay/Mexico match at Bitters Pub on the Memorial University campus. It's run by the Graduate Students' Union.
I arrived shortly before the game started and it didn't take long to figure out who I wanted to focus on this morning.
June 21, 2010 8:36 PM
Bring on the battle of Toronto's duelling World Cup schedules.
June 21, 2010 10:00 AM
Many World Cup fans have been taking advantage of the live streaming on the internet on their phones and computers during work hours but some have lost that privilege.
June 21, 2010 8:24 AM
While Cameroon gets ready to take on Denmark for their second game of
the 2010 World Cup, 1500 kids, half of whom have never put their foot on
a ball, prior to More Sports 10-week soccer program are participating
at Soccer Jam, a mini World Cup.
It's a community festival and
celebration of sport, where all a total of 140 teams from kindergarden
to grade 7 are here at Killarney Park in Vancouver wearing a coloured
shirt and representing different countries in three, 20-minute matches.
June 20, 2010 3:55 PM
Don't call Sam Najm a turncoat, traitor or bandwagon jumper. He's a businessman.
June 20, 2010 1:13 PM
I caught up with Guido Del Rizzo for the Italy/New Zealand match this afternoon.
June 20, 2010 12:54 PM
New Zealand's tie with Italy felt like a win in the small pie shop in Montreal. Tourtiere Australienne (TA) is only three months old but is creating a buzz and a hub for the Aussies and Kiwis living in the city. Saturday the small shop was packed for the Australia vs Ghana game. Today with Father's day only a few fans showed up for New Zealand vs Italy, but the pie eating contest after the game drew a crowd.
June 20, 2010 9:44 AM
Last week when I was at the Three Lions Cafe for England's first game versus the US, I met a table of wonderful English people. Faces painted and in their England gear, they were so patriotic, energetic and loyal to their team. They looked fantastic!
June 20, 2010 9:26 AM
At the moment, I'm sitting in Nyala African Restaurant sipping my spiced tea (which is fantastic here) and reminiscing on the week that was...all of the photos help remind me of all that has happened. I can hardly believe it's only been a week!
June 19, 2010 1:32 PM
The miso soup was hot, and the sushi was cold. Everything was perfect -- except the result on the pitch for the 200 people gathered at the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre on Saturday.
June 18, 2010 5:09 PM
World Cup competition is tough and picking a winner is a challenge for
all of us, so before this World Cup gets any farther, I've enlisted the
help from a popular beverage to move us along.
It's time for the
official beer taste testing to see which team has a chance of winning
it all.
I'm at the Charlatan on Commercial Drive and they have 16 beers on tap
which you can choose to add to your World Cup viewing in their back room
with a great projector screen or in the front area, with several
screens to catch all angles.
June 18, 2010 3:25 PM
I watched the England/Algeria game with a fan named Denis Parker, lead man of the Denis Parker Band.
Parker moved to St. John's from Fulham in 1971 and he's been watching games here at the Duke for over 20 years.
June 18, 2010 2:42 PM
As we've been demonstrating in the Mobile Journalist blogs, sometimes the action off the pitch and away from stadium is just as compelling as the final result.
June 18, 2010 2:08 PM
Good afternoon from the Duke of Duckworth in St. John's.
England/Algeria is just underway. Great crowd here. The Duke always has a crowd, but England games are special.
June 18, 2010 12:58 PM
St. Laurent, nicknamed The Main in Montreal, is blocked off for several blocks, but not for the World Cup. Finding empty cafes, bars and restaurants I followed my ears to the bar playing the soccer game the loudest. Two people were watching the game and one of them was Jake, a masters student at McGill, from Chicago cheering on his team. I settled in to watch the game with him.
"They'll make the quarters," he predicted. "And if they finish at the top of this group - the semis."
June 18, 2010 12:20 PM
Two games into the day and the surprising stories abound. I went out to check the Montreal famous Cafe Olimpico to try the coffee and watch the game. I arrived late to find Serbia up by one and Germany's Klose out of the game! The line up in the cafe was for the coffee not the game, but even the non-soccer fans were reacting to the cards dolled out by the referee.
June 17, 2010 3:08 PM
They've waited a long time to celebrate a World Cup goal in Toronto's Greektown -- and now, fans are dancing on the Danforth after Greece's first ever victory at the tournament.
June 17, 2010 1:12 PM
It's early. Very very early.
I heard the Croatian Cultural centre was going to open this morning, hosting Korean fans watching their team take on Lionel Messi and the Argentina team at 4:30 this morning.
I was thinking, maybe a couple of hundred might show up at that hour.
June 17, 2010 12:45 PM
Most of the crowds at the bars and community centres are young, but at Cafe Cozmos the average age is over 50 years old. The signs in the bar are written in Greek and the barmaid knows how her regulars like their coffee without having to ask.
June 17, 2010 8:28 AM
I'm a little unsure of what's going to happen today, I'm calling around
wondering where I'm going to find some Bafana Bafana fans watching South
Africa's take on Uruguay the World Cup.
Alan Koch, coach of the Simon Fraser's University Men's soccer team and South African is
watching the game from the comfort of his home. I wonder how many
others are doing the same.
June 17, 2010 8:12 AM
Hey Canada! Until our country gets back into the World Cup, (Bobby
Lenarduzzi thinks we might be able to be back in 2014), why not adopt
another country to celebrate.
My suggestion ? Let's embrace the World's largest single sporting event
that celebrates worldwide cultural and global unification by hosting
South African World Cup parties. We could even plan a day, where
everyone all over the nation plans their World Cup party.
June 16, 2010 5:35 PM
When I first arrived at Bar Enigma, the furthest up St Hubert I've ever
been, I was excited to meet some Uruguayans and watch a good soccer
game. Thinking in Spanish by this time of day after being surrounded by
Chileans and Spaniards I chatted with the owner Gino Deni, born in
Uruguay to an Italian and a Spaniard, in Spanish until we switched to
French.
June 16, 2010 4:53 PM
You can't go very long working on the Newfoundland soccer beat without making the trip to St. Lawrence to learn about the Laurentians.
I made my first journey today, and what a day it was.
June 16, 2010 1:17 PM
I'm sitting by a metro station being serenaded by an accordion playing "Oh Champs Elysses." I feel like I'm in France, and that I'm arriving after just being in Spain, when really I've just come from the Club Espagnol du Quebec and I'm sitting outside Mont Royal Metro in the Plateau of Montreal.
By the end of the World Cup I might not know which country I'm in anymore since I keep finding little pieces of the world in every nook and cranny of the city.
June 16, 2010 12:33 PM
There is no better way to start the day than in a little Chilean
restaurant, Coins du Canard, eating a cheese empanada and listening to
the soccer game in Spanish.
The fans were a bit sleepy but a few bouts of "Chi - Chi - Chi - L - E -
Viva Chile!" occasionally livened them up. I asked one fan what he was
eating and he told me it was lomito, a sandwich with Chilean bread,
pork, avocado and mayonnaise.
June 15, 2010 9:06 PM
It's official, I'm going to Brazil!
If what I just experienced was a taste of how Brazil celebrates their
soccer, it's time to look on Expedia for flights for the 2014 World Cup.
I'm sitting in Joe's Cafe on Commercial Drive, siphoning their internet
and drinking one of the best hot chocolates I've had in a
while. Delivered in a tall clear glass, with chocolate sprinkles on
top, it just looks enticing.
June 15, 2010 5:13 PM
A small gathering of Korean soccer fans could be an important step in the peace process.
June 15, 2010 5:02 PM
During the second half of Brazil vs North Korea I finally found the real action. At Bayou Brazil restaurant it was a constant party throughout the game. Packed to overflowing people were dancing to the drums even in the cramped space.
June 15, 2010 2:50 PM
The day started off a bit slow. I watched the first game of the day with one Slovak fan and only a few more turned out for Cote D'Ivoire. At least at La Maison D'Afrique I got to try some bissap, a juice made from boiled dried hibiscus flower with added sugar, vanilla and almond.
Then, in the tiny café Chez Brésil in Montreal, I finally found a good group of fans who gathered for the afternoon game against North Korea.
June 15, 2010 10:11 AM
I went looking for some New Zealand fans and ended up finding an unlikely pair watching the game at Champs Bar in Montreal. Brano Krehel visiting from Slovakia for the Grand Prix was watching the game with Jesse Rangel from Panama. Jesse works at the hotel where Brano has stayed many times on his visits to Montreal, an avid hockey, nascar and soccer fan.
June 15, 2010 8:22 AM
I've decided to make the obvious choice to watch Italy in their first
match of the 2010 World Cup - La Roma Cafe on Commercial Drive. As I arrive on the Drive, I find parking with ease. ( I would have taken
my bike, but I don't have one yet). Ecstatic that I don't have to drive
around looking for that hidden spot, because I'm cheap and think
parking should be complimentary. I start to wonder if it's the free
loving hippies on Commercial that don't drive or if soccer fans have
decided to stay at home or are recording Italy's first match of the
World Cup.
June 14, 2010 4:01 PM
What follows are a variety of comments hurled back and forth at a small cafe in Toronto's Corso Italia neighbourhood, during Italy's first match against Paraguay.
June 14, 2010 3:19 PM
Guido Del Rizzo left Italy for St. John's 45 years ago today.
That's right, June 14 1965. And he's been at home ever since.
June 14, 2010 1:35 PM
I've seen many fans cheering for their country the last couple of days,
but I absolutely have to mention the England fans I had the absolute
pleasure of meeting during the England vs. U.S. game at the Three Lions
Cafe on Broadway.
June 14, 2010 11:56 AM
Wilmar Kortleever explained to me why the World Cup is so important to the Dutch community in Toronto, and it goes far beyond soccer.
June 13, 2010 5:52 PM
When running into German Literature professor Jürgen Heizmann on the metro as he was on his way to watch Germany play Australia, we got to talking about culture, Montreal and soccer. Many ethnic groups congregate in certain areas in Montreal until they create places like Little Italy, Little Maghreb and China Town. But where is Little Germany? There are thousands of Germans and German descendants in Montreal but perhaps because they are not a visible minority and "blend in" better they are more dispersed.
June 13, 2010 5:23 PM
In Montreal there are so many festivals and events going on that it can be difficult to choose what to do first, or instead, or at all. The Grand Prix is bringing in fans of soccer but taking their attention away from the games.
June 13, 2010 3:31 PM
"Ghana, please get a goal for my daughter."
Those were the words spoken from Charles Quist-Adade, the President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of BC as he and ten other Ghanaians gathered at the home of Joseph Frimpong at 7am this morning to watch their home country Ghana take on Serbia.
June 13, 2010 10:37 AM
The cafes in Little Maghreb, a strip of Jean Talon street in Montreal, were full of Algeria fans for this mornings game against Slovenia. The drums often got the fans clapping to the beat, or the other way around. The street, the cars, the cafes were decked out in Algeria's colours and when the game was on, the streets were empty.
June 13, 2010 10:11 AM
After what should have been a full day, I find myself still sitting in
bed, after a 7am start, World Cup work and both a gym workout and a 5 K
run..... Really? I should be zonked. Kahunaed.
Out cold.
June 12, 2010 6:39 PM
"This is insane," said Paul Desbaillets, one of the managers
of the two-year-old Burgundy Lion in Montreal, as he squeezed through a crowd to
bring food to a table. The pub is an openly, unashamedly England supporter hub,
though they do show the rest of the games because if there is anything above the
England squad, it's football (oops! soccer) in general.
June 12, 2010 5:17 PM
Well, so much for trying to change it up.
I had plans to hit Christian's Bar on George Street, but a fire earlier today left the downtown core almost empty. Christian's was locked up.
June 12, 2010 3:49 PM
England fans have a different kind of passion for the beautiful game than the supporters of most other teams.
June 12, 2010 11:51 AM
It's never too early to party if you're a soccer fan, particularly a South Korean supporter.
June 12, 2010 8:30 AM
"
Dae Han Min Kuk!
Dae Han Min Kuk!"
I couldn't help cheering along this morning at Atti Cuisine Coreenne: "Republic of Korea!"
June 12, 2010 7:34 AM
As one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup prepares to get underway, here are five reasons you should watch the game.
June 11, 2010 5:38 PM
This morning, I woke up feeling like it was Christmas. The day you wait
and wait for with anticipation and excitement.
Then, I found
out that Nelson Mandela would not be present at the World Cup opening
ceremonies due to the tragic death of his great-granddaughter.
Christmas
was over before it happened.
June 11, 2010 4:58 PM
They're nervous in Toronto's Little Italy.
June 11, 2010 3:16 PM
Shortly before the France/Uruguay game started, Patrick Savard-Walsh walked into the Duke of Duckworth in St. John's decked out in a France jersey.
France fans are a tough find in this town. Believe me, I've been looking.
June 11, 2010 3:09 PM
I was curious to see whether I would be hearing fluid France French or lively Quebecois French when I went to watch France vs. Uruguay at La Barouf in Montreal. Instead I found a mix, even an Englishman and Spaniard switching between French and English with their French friends. It was a different vibe going from hanging out with a slew of Mexicans to a slew of les francais
June 11, 2010 12:11 PM
From where I watched game one I was torn between cheering with the passionate Mexico fans in Montreal and being ecstatic for South Africa on a great performance.
June 11, 2010 11:56 AM
Festive. Colourful. Passionate. That's the best way I can describe the atmosphere at CBC Soccer Nation, Friday at Toronto's Metro Hall.
June 11, 2010 10:59 AM
Good day from the Duke of Duckworth in downtown St. John's.
I just had a chat with a fellow named Peter Wilkins. He's been living in St. John's for 12 years, but he comes from Leicestershire, England.
And he told me with a straight face that England will win the World Cup. It was a tone so convincing that I'm starting to question my very existence on this planet.
June 11, 2010 10:00 AM
It took Mexico fans in Montreal a minute to realize that their team's goal was called back because Carlos Vela was called offside, and the bad news (for Mexico) continued after South Africa scored the first real goal of the World Cup 2010.
June 11, 2010 8:41 AM
It's twelve hours before the start of the World Cup and yes, I'm on the
hunt for some South African gear.
Two bridges later, I'm in North
Vancouver at African Breese Imports, specializing in all things South
African, including World Cup paraphernalia.
June 10, 2010 6:53 PM
Hey Vancouver!
I bet you can remember exactly where you were when
the opening ceremonies for the Olympics were happening. Me, I was at
the Shark Club with some long-time friends and some new ones, who
wouldn't stop talking when I was trying to take in every breath-taking
moment.
June 10, 2010 6:20 PM
Vancouver's World cup fans. Wondering where to watch those early
morning games?
While most places are open for the 7a.m. and 11:30
matches, finding spots that are showing the 4:30a.m. games are a little
harder to find, but here is my most current list.
June 10, 2010 5:27 PM
The Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council, or RIAC, are doing their part to get ready for the World Cup.
The RIAC is a non-profit organization that helps immigrants and refugees settle into life in Canada. Stuff like language and job hunting are the council's specialties.
June 10, 2010 5:19 PM
It's rainy, ugly weather in Montreal today and with The Grand Prix and TransAmerique and Francofolies festivals in the way, most World Cup fans are probably glued to their TVs or computers to find out what's going on. Thankfully, there are so many ways to follow the action that, except for atmosphere and face-to-face human contact, you never have to leave your screen.
June 10, 2010 3:41 PM
The top selling item at Libby and Mike Sinopoli's hardware store -- on the fringes of Toronto's Little Italy and Little Portugal neighbourhoods -- isn't what you would expect.
June 9, 2010 3:22 PM
An art exhibit isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking
about the fast approaching World Cup. But, taking a step back from all
the excitement provides an interesting look at the world's favourite
game pre-mayhem.
Just in time for the great event, Montreal-born artist
Eugene Abrams put together "The Soccer Ballet," an entire exhibit
dedicated to his favourite childhood game.
June 9, 2010 3:11 PM
Maybe you have a team picked for the World Cup, and maybe you don't,
either way, if you want to align yourself with one of Canada's, leading
soccer experts, here's some help picking which teams you may want to
keep an eye on.
June 8, 2010 4:14 PM
As the World Cup draws near, soccer fans are frantically trying to figure out who to put on their fantasy rosters.
June 8, 2010 4:07 PM
It's been a long two months.
With some Stanley Cup Playoff games starting as late as 11:30 pm local time, sports fans in St. John's and around the Island have been running on short sleep for a while now.
I'll just watch the first period, I always say. But I can never step away. Watching a game, especially when I care about the result, is a full time commitment.
And that's why St. John's is the best city in the country to watch the World Cup this year.
June 8, 2010 12:42 PM
Vancouver World Cup fans, where are you going to be experiencing World
Cup action?
The start of the World's biggest sporting event is only
three days away, and it's time to find out where the hot spots are for
watching your favorite team battle for the coveted World Cup of Soccer
