Date With Football

As the world gears up for some high voltage drama at the FIFA World Cup, football fanatics in India too are preparing for a month long affair with the beautiful game. Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar fans are ready to bend it their way for the summer football carnival taking place in Brazil. While the players boot up for the games, fans are suiting up to watch the superstars in action. 

Touted to be a magical few weeks, fans are hoping that all the protests and controversies surrounding the tournament would not get in the way of watching the World’s best footballers compete for the sport’s most prestigious prize.

Those not as lucky as the ones heading for Brazil need not worry as the various embassies and their cultural centres in the capital, New Delhi, are organising fun filled events this football season, recreating a Brazil-like atmosphere in India itself. The air is almost electric and buzzing with excitement surrounding the month long event where fans are spoilt for choice as they can indulge in events like live screening of matches, or participating in amateur football events to a chance to win goodies in lucky draw competition. Watching matches live on big screens in the company of fellow football lovers surely makes the whole experience more memorable.

With all eyes on it for the next month, being the host of this year’s World Cup and five-time champion, Brazil will be hoping to claim the title once again. Embassy of Brazil screened the opening ceremony of the World Cup and the first game of Brazil with Croatia that last night. Some 300 guests of the Embassy saw the Samba boys in action.

With the likes of Ronaldo and Nani, Portugal is aiming for its first ever World Cup win. For all those Portugal fans, the embassy of Portugal will hold screenings of matches played by Portugal for select guests and Portuguese community living in Delhi.

The defending champion, Spain, would be hoping to retain the title this year too. Instituto Cervantes will be screening a Spanish film series about football in cinemas throughout the month called Soccer Days, every Sunday evening at 4:30 that would provide an opportunity for viewers to catch a glimpse of what goes behind the actual game and explore different aspects of the game. And, if La Roja reaches the final stage in World Cup, matches will be screened live. These events are open for all.

The Azurris are all geared up for a tough fight on the field and looking to be the attacking best. Embassy of Italy will be screening all the matches live throughout the World cup in its lawns and share the excitement of FIFA matches. Events will be open to all.

With the aim of making a strong comeback and pushing past their previous upsets in the last World Cup France will be ready to bring it all, full throttle. On the day Les Bleus play, embassy of France will screen the matches, live. 

The Germans have so far been looked up as one of the strongest and most consistent with smooth sailing through their qualifier matches. The embassy of Germany is all geared up to offer something for everyone. From the first timers to the football fanatics, everyone can engage in the various events chalked out by the embassy. An e-magazine What’s Up Germany launched on June 9 features a not so serious take on Indo-German football relations and interesting topics relating to the World Cup. On June 16, the day Germany has its first match against Portugal, a public viewing will be held for a select few guests. Fans can engage in ‘Guess the score’ competition through Facebook where they can predict scores on days when Germany is playing, and get a chance to win a World Cup special goodies bag.