La Prensa de San Antonio.- World Cup fever. It seems like everyone is catching it. More than ever Americans are tuning into games and turning into soccer hooligans. Luckily, La Prensa gives you a quick guide to soccer basics, where to watch it and how to exhibit your World Cup fever, San Anto style!
The Basics: The 2010 World Cup really started about two years ago with qualifying matches. 199 went head to head, now, there are only 32 teams who will vie for the world’s most coveted trophy. The finals, in South Africa, start Friday.
Where to watch: The World Cup is happening on the other side of the globe –but fret not, there'll be plenty of bars, pubs and other places to watch the U.S.-England match as well as the other 63 matches during the World Cup finals.
A few local bars are opening early and airing the games, but be sure to call your favorite watering hole before heading over. Otherwise, just find a local taquería, which is pretty much guaranteed to be playing games with Telemundo’s thrilling “GOOOOOOOOOL!!!” broadcasts.
Here are the best places you and your gang can set soccer sights on:
Fox and Hound
12651 Vance Jackson Rd.
(210) 696-1356
They identify themselves as “your world soccer headquarters,” and according to Department Manager Patrick Edwards, it’s going to be “the best party in town.”
Airing games as early as six in the morning on their 40 HDTVs, this English-style pub will be catering a great breakfast menu offering pancakes, hash browns, sausage and their world-famous egg sandwich on a pretzel roll! Be sure to call ahead to reserve your table.
To find out about their events, menu items, happy hour specials and more visit their website at www.foxandhound.com.
Fatso’s Sports Garden North
15630 Henderson Pass
(210) 404-0121
Be a part of the action at this unique sports eatery featuring more than 30 televisions, a huge menu and full service bar. Rest assured they’ll be kicking off things the right way by airing every single game along with warm breakfast.
“It’s going to be big,” said General Manager Laurie Zapata. “We’ll have drink specials all day long and have everything from kid’s meals to appetizers to full service menu.”
Voted number one best sports bar by the San Antonio Express-News from both readers and critics, Fatso’s offers a something special for the pickiest eater! Visit their website at www.fatsossportsgarden.com for more information.
Lion & Rose
5148 Broadway
(210) 822-7673
8211 Angora Pkwy. #112 (at the Forum Shopping Center)
(210) 547-3000
842 N.W. Loop 410 (at the Park North Shopping Center)
(210) 798-5154
700 E. Sonterra Blvd. #318
(210) 798-5466
Well known as San Antonio’s prime soccer destination, the Lion & Rose will be sure to quench your soccer fever, offering a full menu and airing every single game. “We’re very excited,” said James MacKay, general manager at the Alamo Heights location. “We’ve been planning this for a year now.”
The British pub will be partnering with Budweiser to offer several drink specials. They’ll also be featuring a wide variety of meals. “We’re not just your fried food place, we have great chefs that prepare all kinds of foods,” added MacKay. With four locations throughout our city, you’ll be sure to find one near you!
Check out their website for more details and a schedule of the games at www.thelionandrose.com.
Duo Rock Lounge
Watch the games with an edgy twist at Duo Rock Lounge where 20 bucks gets you in the door and a heaping serving of unlimited enchiladas and ice cold margaritas and beer.
Watching at home. It’s safe to say that a bar isn’t everyone’s style; so many people are hosting World Cup watching parties. The games will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN, so it’s easy to watch at home. Think of it like a Super Bowl party, but with soccer.
A big-screen TV, some beverages and plenty of food will probably be in order. If you have a soccer jersey, throw that on to get in the spirit. (U.S. home and away jerseys are for sale for $69.99 at ussoccerstore.com)
While the main event for many will be the U.S.-England match, think of the World Cup like the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. There are lots of games, and most of them will be exciting matchups (you’re watching the 32 best teams in the whole world). So there’s plenty of soccer to watch.
Last, but certainly not least, invite a friend or two with some soccer knowledge. Their excitement will fuel the rest of the party, and when something needs explanation or clarification, your soccer-loving friend can help.
Talk the talk. While watching, you might hear an announcer or one of your die-hard soccer friends say something you don’t understand. Here are a few terms to help you stay in the game:
Advantage rule: A player might commit a foul, but the referee doesn’t have to stop the game unless it benefits that player's team. So if a defender hands the ball but it gets deflected to an opposing player who has a shot on goal, the referee won’t call the hand foul.
Clear: To kick the ball away from the area of the goal, effectively removing the threat of the opposing team scoring.
Nil: When a score is read aloud, “nil” is usually used in place of zero.
Offside: A player can be called offside if he receives the ball without at least two opponents between him or her and the goal line (usually a goalkeeper and a defender, but not always).
Penalty: Specifically a foul when a penalty kick inside the box is awarded.
Penalty kick: A free kick taken 12 yards from the goal with only the goalkeeper as a defender.
Tackle: To use the feet while attempting to take the ball from an opponent. A tackle cannot involve holding, pushing, tripping or elbowing. A clean, foul-free tackle takes a lot of skill.
What's that noise? That loud buzzing noise you’re hearing while watching the game is a vuvuzela. Among South African soccer fans, the vuvuzela is a popular noise-making instrument. The long horn emits a loud sound often compared to elephants or buzzing bees.
The vuvuzela, when blown by the whole stadium, can make it difficult for players to communicate and concentrate. Many players, coaches and announcers think the horns are quite irritating, and the International Federation of Association Football (better known as FIFA) for a time wanted to ban the instruments but eventually decided not to.
If World Cup fever is really hitting you, feel free to jump into the action with EA Sports’ “2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa.” The game sells for $59.95 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 or $39.95 for Wii and PSP.
For the complete FIFA World Cup schedule go to www.ESPN3.com.
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