Another unexpected result: Senegal beat Poland 2-1. There were by far more Polish fans than Senegalese but that didn’t help…
Category Archives: Jogo Bonito
Soccer!
Mexico vs Germany
In the most important match of my trip, México faced off against tournament favorite and defending world champion Germany.
As usual, Mexican fans outnumbered rival fans 3 to 1. But nobody predicted the World Cup history we were about to witness.
Excellent game played by the Tri. I’m so glad I was there.
Argentina vs Iceland
We arrived late last night to our hotel in Moscow after a lot of traveling. Had to get some rest before tomorrow’s warm up game (for me).
Today we got to see Iceland earn their first ever World Cup point and Leo Messi miss a penalty kick at the Spartak Stadium. Good match.
Ruskipolla 2018
To the excitement of millions of soccer-loving The MKX® readers out there, I want to formally announce:
The best World Cup pool / game ever anywhere!
This follows a long tradition of awesome “quinielas” started all the way back in 2006.
The system is 100% custom and written from scratch by me, with a bit of help from a few others. It’s all for fun and for my friends and friends of friends. I really think it makes the tournament more fun for everyone involved.
It all started as a bunch of furious all-nighters writing code twelve years ago. On every subsequent polla there have been many improvements. This year, I’ve added the ability to play for free through referrals. We’ll see how it works out.
To be honest, since the last Polla a couple of little kids have taken all of my free time and I wasn’t thinking of launching it. But enough people asked about it… so what the heck.
Join now and spread the word. There’s only two weeks until kickoff!
2018 Panini World Cup Sticker Album
Once again, the World Cup is coming. Russia welcomes the world in a message of peace, love, and sportsmanship <ahem>.
Nevertheless, the game must go on. The sticker collecting game, that is.
I’ve dusted off my trusty little PHP script and, just like in 2006, 2010, and 2014, set up the…
2018 My Panini World Cup Sticker Album Progress TrackingIt’s been a lot of work involving a lot of people in several countries. I still need your help completing my album. Contact me if you’re ready to trade.
Copa América Centenario
The Copa América Centenario is over. For me at least – no more stadium. I got to go to the stadium for all three matches held in Houston.
Game 1: Colombia 2-3 Costa Rica
Colombia’s coach Nestor Pekerman miscalculated and lost the match and the first place of the group. Still made it to quarterfinals. Costa Rica closed the tournament with dignity. Interestingly, this is the second time I see Costa Rica play, and they won both times.
Game 2: Mexico 1-1 Venezuela
Venezuela did well and was ahead for most of the game.
A few days after the Orlando gay club shooting, the full stadium respectfully honors the victims with a moment of silence before the match starts. But only a few minutes later, the cultured Mexican fans go back to their famous gay slur:
I get it, people who are obviously straight think it’s funny and not offensive in this context. But it’s up to those who feel offended to decide whether it’s offensive. Also, the joke is kind of old by now.
Game 3: Argentina 4-0 USA
Oh boy, Argentina played at half capacity and completely humiliated the host team. USA had no ball possession and created no opportunities. In the second half, the American players would stay 3-6 feet away from Lionel Messi whenever he had the ball… they simply stopped trying. Due to happy circumstances and the generosity of some people, I sat really close to the field and was able to see the action up-close.
This is my view – short video of Argentina’s 4th goal celebration:
Experiencia Rayada
A couple of weeks ago I toured the new stadium with my dad, brothers and their kids and wives. I had already been to the game but for some reason they didn’t let me use the jacuzzi in the locker room that time. Conspicuously absent were my own kid and wife. I suppose they don’t care and I’ll go to Russia by myself in 2018.
The tour is called Experiencia Rayada and here are a few pics.
The Iron Giant
I finally got to go to Monterrey’s new stadium, the recently inaugurated Estadio BBVA Bancomer. What a beauty – I felt like I was in a different country altogether.
I actually went twice: on April 23 to watch Monterrey 3-2 Queretaro, and then to the Experiencia Rayada tour.
I will miss the decrepit homeyness of Estadio Tecnológico where I spent countless afternoons of soccer; that said, this place is amazing. See for yourself: photos from the match day. Photos from the tour in a separate post.
Estadio Tecnológico – Panorama
This was taken last weekend by Jaco during Monterrey vs América and I promised to post it. Monterrey is leaving their old home soon to go to their new one.
Click to zoom in. It’s a very nice photo especially when you consider it was taken from a cell phone (iPhone 6).
Gracias Chupete
