Paul and I had three days in Toronto between the two World Cup games that we were attending and we got to see a fair bit of the city. We visited the Distillery District, which might develop into somewhere interesting in time, but at the moment seems a bit ‘Disneyfied’.
We also visited a few bars in the downtown area and some near to where we were staying an hour or so’s walk away. Everyone was very welcoming and we had good conversations with locals and travelling fans. The highlight was probably the bar where we watched Canada put six past Qatar to the delight of their supporters.
Our second game kicked off at 4pm and we chose to walk it from our place in the Riverdale area. We passed a hotel where the Ivory Coast team were getting on the team coach and then the Fan Park, which seemed quieter than when we’d been there three days earlier.
As we neared the BMO Stadium, there were a lot of fans wearing the shirts of both teams, with the Germans outnumbering those from Ivory Coast.
Security was much less onerous than at the last few World Cups and we weren’t required to prove our identity. Once inside we collected a beer from the hospitality building and had a wander around. Whilst we had it easy with food and drink, there were long queues in the areas outside. I looked as if anyone buying a beer would need to immediately rejoin the twenty-yard queue in anticipation of their next one. It was the same with the hot dogs.
Our seats were close to the half-way line again and a little nearer the pitch. For a while I wondered if we would have to stand to watch the game, but eventually everyone sat down. I’m accepting of the fact that when I’m behind the goal at the Boro or at an away game, everyone will stand throughout. I’m less understanding when I’m in the posh seats.
At half-time I joined the queue at the merchandise stall in the concourse and bought a soft toy mascot for the latest grandson. He also ended up with the mini football that was handed out at the end.
At that mid-way stage Germany were a goal down and looking poor, but they made some subs and got back into the game. They drew level with around twenty minutes to go and then pinched a winner in added time. The assist for that second goal was by a lad called Nmecha. His name seemed familiar and when I googled him it turned out that his brother had a loan spell at the Boro under Woodgate. Small world.
The conclusion of the second game brought the World Cup part of our trip to an end. Both Kingston and Toronto were enjoyable places to visit and, despite the efforts of FIFA to make life difficult and expensive for fans, everyone seemed to be having a good time. Of course they were, it’s a World Cup and there is always a good time to be had.
Trail of the Lion King 