Above is one of the best long reads I've come across in a while.
This story of Russian Hooliganism was on ESPN earlier this month.
If you get a chance, please read it. If you don't want to read it, fine, but it strongly hints that there's going to be trouble at the World Cup.
Especially for the English.
It wasn't the first time I had read this sentiment. Websites in Great Britain have been sounding the alarm all spring:
And an extra bad time is going to be had by GAY, English Soccer fans:
As I write this, more and more stories about both English and Russian hooligans' travel restrictions are hitting the internet. One place that is really getting sick and tired of all of the "noise" about World Cup trouble is RT. RT wants you to know that English fans are having a fine time!
So now it's on. The English have sounded the alarm and the Russians have countered that the evil Western Media are trying to sully the names of the fine Russian people. By mid-July, one or the other will be wrong.
It's 10:30 a.m. and I'm anxiously awaiting the first game of the World Cup. The pre-game ceremony is beautiful and it reminds me of something that may prelude a large olympic event. Of course there's no problems at Russia v Saudi Arabia. I didn't think there would be. But let's wait a few days and let the soccer action warm up a bit. The World Cup is not the Olympics when it comes to fans'....ahem...."passion."
It's 10:50 a.m. and I am listening to Putin speak after a rousing ovation. Russian flags wave everywhere.
It's 10:55 a.m. and I would be stunned if Russia didn't win by 3 goals. Beating Saudi Arabia is not the prize the Russians are after.
It's 10:56 a.m. and I do NOT want to hear from the FIFA President. At least he kept it short.
It's 10:59 a.m. and the Russian fans are going crazy, in a good way. I see ZERO signs of hooliganism inside of the stadium.
It's time to stop blogging and watch some soccer.