So, where were we?
The last quadrennial Canadian ritual dance of ethnicity ended locally in 2014 at a packed Edelweiss Club in James Bay with the Island’s German community celebrating another World Cup victory for their ancestral homeland.
It begins anew today at 11 a.m. in the Portuguese Hall on Elk Lake Drive as Islanders of Iberian descent will gather to watch intently, and no doubt trade more-or-less friendly verbal barbs across the room, as Portugal and Spain begin their 2018 World Cup campaigns with a game between the neighbouring nations.
“This is by far one of the most interesting games of the group stages — European champion Portugal versus one of the world powerhouses and former World Cup champion Spain,” said Victoria Highlanders soccer club co-owner Mark deFrias.
“Even though they share the Iberian Peninsula together, there will be no love lost between the two. Personally, with a Spanish mother and a Portuguese father, I’ll be playing the referee role and making sure mom and dad are separated in the room. There are no [familial] allegiances when Portugal and Spain play each other. You just have to hope for a good match and hopefully a tie.”
Welcome to the 2018 World Cup, Island style, and the Portuguese and Spanish supporters are welcoming all soccer fans to join them today.
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Yet, it’s a strange World Cup on several levels. The Leonardo Da Vinci Centre Italian hall in Vic West and Holland House in Royal Oak — the venues of so much World Cup revelry in the past — will be eerily dark this time around as usual suspects Italy and Netherlands failed to qualify, along with the likes of other heavyweights such as the U.S. and Chile.
But Iceland, a nation with a population less than that of Greater Victoria, is there competing in Russia after a tremendously thrilling and unexpected run through Euro 2016 that gave hope to underdogs everywhere. It’s an amazing story that resonates with retired Victoria psychiatrist Wilf Sigurdson, who is of Icelandic ancestry, and grew up in the large Icelandic community of Manitoba. How’s that for rooting interest in this World Cup?
“Iceland went through a banking crisis in 2008 and the national soccer team has given the country a great boost psychologically,” said Sigurdson.
Exchange students to the Island, meanwhile, always seem to bring verve and colour to World Cup watching. Especially when they come from Brazil, where the samba rhythm of life also spills onto the soccer pitches in terms of style and sizzle.
“Everything comes to a stop in Brazil when the national team plays a game in the World Cup. There is no school and no work that day,” said Gustavo Santos, among a group of Brazilian exchange students at Claremont Secondary, who plan on watching the games together.
The first Brazil match in Russia, on Sunday against Switzerland, goes down easy with an 11 a.m. start.
“But we’re even going to get up for the 5 a.m. games to watch,” vowed Marcella Rosado, a Claremont student from Fortaleza in Brazil.
And, of course, there’s that stunning 7-1 semifinal loss at home to Germany in 2014 to make up for, and which is still burned into the national consciousness.
“This time we will win and Germany will lose,” predicted Milena Naves, a Claremont student, who hails from Goiania in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission is allowing bars and pubs in that province to open earlier during the World Cup to accommodate those fans who wish to imbibe even during the wee hours morning games.
Several B.C. establishments are also responding to World Cup interest, although there are morning drinking restrictions in this province. The Irish Times on Government Street is opening at 6 a.m. during the World Cup for any fans wishing to take in early games from Russia with continental breakfast and coffee. As a liquor-primary facility, the Irish Times can begin serving alcohol to go with the games beginning at 9 a.m., as can the neighbouring Bard and Banker, which will be opening at 8 a.m. during the World Cup.
“We’re going to have jersey giveaways — England, Germany, Brazil and other kit — and prizes,” said Irish Times manger Demian Merino.
But there’s no doubt with which national side Merino’s personal passion is with — CONCACAF-rival Mexico. His dad and Victoria artist, Luis Merino, was born in Mexico City. So Merino will have an eye on his establishment’s 13 screens while going about his job Sunday morning at 8 a.m. when Mexico plays Germany.
“We expect a big crowd of patrons out for that game, and also for the England-Tunisia match at 11 a.m. Monday,” said Merino, noting the red sea of Liverpool fans who jammed his establishment recently for the Champions League final.
