Game Day Numero Uno! Luzhniki Awaits!

Ever since the tickets to this world cup were applied for and the wait began, there was only a slither of hope that we would actually get the tickets allotted and that we would actually be going through with this. It all started off as an attempt to prick a nibble out of an old, but live, dream and see what comes of it. The ticketing process had a lot of waiting period and the thought of making it or not making it kept eating away at me.

But finally the Universe was ready to give us what we asked for and here we are. This-had-to-be-done.

And since then, FIFA  alloted the tickets to us, Russian Emigration sent us the fan ids and we're here answering the world's call. Everyone around us is so excited that we are going to the world cup, so much so that I kinda feel that we are taking with us their hopes and dreams of watching the world cup with us! The love is real, the excitement is real, and its never just a game. It doesn't get bigger than this. 

Our first game day is here, the 2nd day of our arrival in Moscow. We decided to grab our lunch downtown Before making our way to the stadium. And boy did we have lunch! We ate at a place called the central market.

Like a food court from different worlds. We tried Uzbek cusine and we loved it. Everyone in Russia is very friendly and they seem to love India and of course shah-roook-khan! His name is  always like the next words out of them after we tell them we are from India! Truly global that lad. 

The walk to the stadium was long, but worth every step of it. Fans with their flags and their chants, not necessarily of the game afoot. Most prominent among the chants we're of course RA-SHI-YA...RA-SHI-YA... RA-SHI-YA... The Russians have embraced this world cup with all their might and they turn up at various venues with their flags and the face paints to show support to other teams as well. There were people ready with their paints to paint the faces of the fans with the flags colours. Some fans even sported the flags of their home nation and that of the team they support in this world cup on their faces. There were even flags of nations who did not even qualify for the world cup. India is here for sure, China, Turkey etc were also here, irrespective of their teams playing or not playing in Russia 2018. Hashtag Represent! 🤘🏾👍🏾

We finally got in through the gates after strictest of screenings I have ever gone through.

Even airport security check was less intense than the check we had to go through to the stadium. Right. Safety first.

 The atmosphere inside and around the stadium was so electrifying that time ceased to exist. We were caught in a time limbo and no amount of my imagination could fathom what the Luzhniki had actually in store for me. I had dreams of the moment I enter the stadium for my first world cup game but none of them stood a chance in comparison to what had actually transpired in front of our eyes, ears and all other senses. With a strength of 78011 fans, Luzhniki was legitimately lit.

The kinetic energy in the stadium got it's release only through loud noise, boos and chants of the fans to the teams playing. Some of them started a Mexican wave and it caught on pretty quick. It usually does. Never fails to fly. And my dad remarked, as we took part in the biggest Mexican wave I was part of till now, that such a wave could wipe out caste, creed, racism, sexism and the lot, if it wanted to. I thought to myself "if only it were so easy!"

The game as such, Denmark Vs France, although was a dud, the experience was superlative to anything I have experienced till date. It was unfortunate that we watched the only goalless draw of this world cup from the stands. But then the whole experience is second to none. So no regrets. The next two games for which we have tickets are guaranteed to not misfire as it's the knockout stages!

After the game we made our way to the fan fest  at the University where we were to watch the Argentinian destiny unfold. The game was so much better than the one we watched and finally for the first time in the world cup, I felt like the Argentinians wanted to win a (this) game. Glad that they are through to the next round. The resurrection is complete. The Messiah prevailed over Moosa. Godspeed Nigeria. You were awesome! Vamos Argentina. Onwards and upwards!

Now tomorrow click click