Russia World Cup Notebook - Day 5
What you need to know:
- Used match tickets are a collector’s item, and fans from the world have trooped to various cities in Russia to lay their hands on used tickets and other memorabilia.
- Saturday’s Group ‘D’ match involving Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium witnessed huge demand for tickets.
Russia very much centre of attraction
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The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) fell apart in 1990, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union occurred on December 26, 1991, officially granting self-governing independence to the Republics of the Soviet Union like Ukraine, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Serbia, among others.
But citizens from the surrounding countries have trooped back to the more prosperous Russia in charge of job opportunities in airports, hotels and local industries.
Yesterday, we took time to sample food in a Moscow restaurant run by Uzbeks. Other than the language barrier, the food was delicious, waiters kind almost to a fault and food portions generous.
Mexicans paint Luzhniki red
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Mexico is easily one of the best supported teams here. Sunday’s 1-0 victory over defending champions Germany in Group ‘F’ match triggered off celebrations among Mexican fans in a scale that has not been seen here since the tournament started.
Clad in either green or white jerseys and long-brimmed Sombrero hats, Mexican fans filled up three quarters of the 81,000 seater Luzhniki Stadium and cheered on their team throughout the match.
The same story of following the team to wherever it plays its matches is repeated by many Mexican fans. The party goes on. It is half past midnight and fans are in no hurry to leave the fan viewing area.
Fans desperate to purchase tickets
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Saturday’s Group ‘D’ match involving Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium witnessed huge demand for tickets.
Fans, mostly from Argentina, who missed out on tickets stationed themselves outside the stadium, carrying small placards written ‘I’m looking for ticket to buy.’
The same was witnessed during Sunday’s Group F match between Germany and Mexico at Luzhniki Stadium.
Sombrero-wearing Mexicans were willing to part with anything for tickets which had been sold out pretty early.
Some 78,000 fans, mostly Mexicans, attended the Luzhniki match which their team won 1-0.
Used match tickets a collector’s item
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Used match tickets are a collector’s item, and fans from the world have trooped to various cities in Russia to lay their hands on used tickets and other memorabilia.
Fans from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil have been standing outside stadiums after matches in Moscow, looking for used match tickets.
One journalist at the centre has been walking with a small note plastered on his back, announcing that he is looking for used match tickets and media passes to team press conferences and mixed zones where teams and coaches address journalists.
I’m not selling used tickets from the three matches I have attended so far. Never!
