While I don't follow football I've long enjoyed watching the groups stages of both the Euros and the World Cup.
I think this goes back to when I was doing my Masters degree... we had a shared postgrad room with a tiny, tiny portable TV in, this must have been the year 2002. No one was around over summer so I borrowed that T.V. I was in a new shared house and the people I was to share with were yet to move in.
And I remember feeling a little burnt out that summer, so I just lay on the sofa for many a morning while watching 3 group stage matches a day and drinking Tea and Coffee, and occasionally doing some work.
It was in Japan that year, so in UK time the matches were earlyish morning to afternoon.
And ever since I've always made a point of lunching out for at least a couple of days during the group stages.
This year it's been perfect.. New job, staying in a hotel, back inn my room by 19.00 and then football on!
It's the perfect chill-out while your having an evening munch.
England games are, of course, painful, especially this year, but the commentary banter by Linekar and Shearer and whoever else, is typically enjoyable.
Even if England puts out three lack lustre performances and still win their group, but that's OK no expectations is better!
Personally I think I prefer watching OTHER teams, which I have 0 emotional investment in.... Spain Croatia, come on Croatia!
I've got it on in the background now, Spain have made 10 changes because they are through already with two wins!
Only in the first stage of tournament football!
At least in the Euros, after this it becomes sudden death and then it all gets a bit cagey and tense, and most of the lesser teams are out, which are part of the fun!
In World Cup the first two rounds works as qualifying is still points based.
I like what they've done this year which is have the final group stages at the same time, so no team gets an advantage by getting the penultimate result a couple of hours in advance.
I also quite like the cultural event - lads in the pub and England flags out, having grown up in a working class estate, I don't find this at all threatening, although I do feel for the DV victims!
It's especially nice NOT caring too much about the result, I mean don't get me wrong it's nice to see England progressing, but it's not the be all and end all for me.
Overall it's a nice opportunity to just have a couple of weeks off and chill over a few beers with a few mates in the pub with some footy on, or just by yourself and switch yer brain off for a while!
Nice!
