A birds-eye view of the FIFA World Cup 2018

Hello, I’m off to see my first matches in the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Would you like to be a crazy soccer fan and join me?

Yes, I know all the advice was to be careful and to think not once, not twice, but three times about going (Australian Deputy Prime Minister) but it really is a lot of fun.

We were en-route to take the excellent Moscow Metro direct to the stadium, but diverted towards a large crowd of Moroccans congregated outside Red Square, making quite a din! It’s a raucous lively atmosphere.

The Russian Police are there in huge numbers and are possibly quite bemused, not that they’d show it. The European newspapers have been making much of the fact that in Russia, large (political) gatherings are forbidden, and a special exception is being made for rowdy soccer fans. Perhaps the Russian police are going into new territory?

Or maybe the football crowds are going into new territory, one gets the impression that no-one is going to try complete over-exuberance in Russia. We are after all under the watchful eye of those in the nearby Kremlin.

Good Morning Mr Putin!

We tear ourselves away and follow the happy rowdy singers into the Moscow Metro, there was no need to plan the route just follow the crowds.

The Metro is free for all fans wearing their fan ID. The trains are coming thick and fast, they say every 90 seconds.

Every train ride I take to and from matches, I get a seat on the train, how amazing is that?

It wouldn’t happen on Melbourne on a normal day let alone when 80,000 people are trying to get to a sports match!

We are one hodgepodge of brightly coloured football-shirted humanity and a few unfortunate Russians with an ill-timed journey. As the singing reaches a crescendo middle-aged Russian Mumma’s are seen filming event with a big grin.

The Russian people look happy to have their capital city overrun by World Cup fever.

Luzhniki Stadium: Portugal V Morrocco 20 June 2018

We snake out of the Metro towards Luzhniki Stadium, just us and 79,997 other fans. The venue is the Grand Dame of Russian Stadiums. No stranger to big events, the 1980 Olympics were held here, and various other football finals – the UEFA Cup, and Champions League. It is exciting for us as is the venue chosen to host the World Cup final.

Our second Moscow match is held at Spartak Stadium is smaller, more intimate, holding only 45,000 Belgium and Tunisian fans, it is purpose-built for club football and quite a vertical hike to the very back row to find our seats. The advantage of this is there is no-one behind to chuck beer all over us as we were told might happen, but actually never did!

We learn the hard way that we should have read the rules…

What not to take to the stadiums?

• 1. Incorrect Accreditation: You will be checked at various points on entry to the stadium. Your ticket needs to match your Fan ID and your passport. At each venue, there is a Fan ID accreditation office.

• 2. Drinks and drink bottles: You are not allowed to bring any drink into the stadium complex, that includes water bottles. We know of grown men who have cried over losing their expensive drinking bottles, you can’t even keep them when empty.

• 3. Food: At Spartak stadium, my bag caused issues because the security screening detected my Murray mints, a banned substance! At Luzicki Stadium, the guards were more accommodating and allowed us to drink our water and munch on our muesli bars at the entrance.

• 4. Large bags/rucksacks Outside each stadium are baggage storage facilities for any noncompliant bags or items.

• 5. Toiletries: Interestingly enough flags and my umbrella was allowed (but had to be opened to show not hidden inside) but my sunscreen was not allowed.

What to expect Inside the stadiums:

• Full body search: Mr Wren says a very, very thorough body search is to be expected and will have to account for every hidden lump, bump and tissue in your pockets.
• When you buy drinks, you will be given the bottle minus the top. To enter Luzicki stadium, all drinks needed to be decanted into a plastic cup.
• A great atmosphere: Lots of cheering and dancing, many selfies and photos, a massive celebration of goals whichever team scores!
• Huge numbers of stewards in fluorescent tops who are quickly on hand should help be needed.
• Fast food and drinks – beer, coke, hotdogs and Russian gingerbread and the like are plentiful.

The whole event is precision planned. Before the match, each country has giant circular flags which are carried onto the pitch for the arrival of the teams and the singing of the national anthems. it was fascinating to watch the set up for this.

I really enjoyed the matches we watched. Not only was it amazing to be at the World Cup watching some of the best teams in the world, but it was the spirit of the event which made it special.

After the matches, the crowd control and movement of people is well organised. After our match at Luzhniki Stadium, we walk away from the masses heading to the Metro and find a fleet of buses. We had no idea where they were going buy hey we’re on holiday and it didn’t really matter. We ended up transported on a route where all the roads had been closed to get the buses to an alternative Metro station by the river.

Gotta love Russia 2018 and their planning!

There has not been one second that I have been in Moscow that I have felt unsafe. I have never seen so many security police in my life. We took the view that we would probably be tracked and followed but it was almost slightly disappointing not to have even one vague James Bond moment!

We found that Uber rides were cheap and convenient and every time we got into a large black car with a very smartly dressed driver, I was waiting for my KGB moment and nothing!

Join my next post as I take you on a little wander on some of the sights in Moscow. It really was a beautiful city. I am a big Fan haha!

Linking with thanks to all the hosts at Our World Tuesday and Maggie at Normandy Life’s Mosaic Monday