Four years ago, during the last World Cup, I had a really great time when I went to watch a game involving Mexico at La Tapatia on Preston, and an even greater time at Palermo Viejo during an Argentina match.
So ... World Cup 2010 kicks off June 11, with Mexico playing host South Africa in a match at 10 a.m. (It will be aired li That's a little early for lunch, but I'm still thinking some of the more authentic Mexican eateries might be there for the activity.
Argentina's first game (against Nigeria) is at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12, which could be problematical. However, Argentina also plays Greece at 2:30 p.m. June 22, opening opportunities for both Argentine and Greek restaurants; and Mexico has a 10 a.m. against Uruguay that same day. Serbia and Slovenia have games - maybe some Bosnian eateries will be watching, either out of South Slavic solidarity or to root for the other side? We've also got Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, all represented by local restaurants.
Long story short, if any of you know of, or hear about, Cup-related events at local eateries, ethnic or otherwise, please attach them to this thread. I've found that Wold Cup soccer becomes twice as much fun if you watch it with a crowd of home-team fans, eating their ethnic food and drinking the local beer.
Cup games run for a full month, wrapping up with the final on July 11 at 2:30 p.m. Here's a complete schedule of all the matches on Univision, which I find by far the best way to watch World Cup even if my Spanish skills are limited ...
http://futbol.univision.com/fifacopamundial/calendario
If you just gotta have it in English, though, here's the schedule for Cup games on ESPN:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/ ... 901&ver=us
This article
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2 ... edule.html
suggests that English-language coverage should be much better this year, with knowledgeable commentators (what a concept!) and no-delay broadcasts of all the games:
"Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler will be the lead commentator. Which is a coup. The man knows his business, so there will be no “Michael Beckham” faux pas this year. Yesterday ESPN also confirmed that:
1. All 64 matches will be broadcast live.
2. In high definition.
3. On either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
Of those 64 matches, 52 will be simulcast online at ESPN360.com. Which means many many Americans with be able to either secretly or not so secretly watch games at work 100% legally and in high quality (although the service is only available via certain internet providers). The only games not simulcast on ESPN360.com will be those being screened on ABC only. In which case, all you need is a TV and some bunny ears.
ESPN have also confirmed that every World Cup 2010 match will get a pre-game, half-time and post-game show, broadcast live and on location. As opposed to from Bristol, Connecticut. Teams coming out, national anthems and handshakes will all be broadcast. Which hasn’t always been the case."
