You could be forgiven for not being aware that the biggest game of the season was on yesterday. Canadians are woefully ignorant about the Premier league, and whenever I talk about football here, people usually think I'm going on about the NFL. One channel actually shows three games every Saturday, but the rigid programming means that it never shows the usually more appealing Sunday tie - such as yesterday's Arsenal v. Manchester United. It is possible to catch these games in certain bars, but the dirty scoundrels at Champs have started leveraging their hold on the expat community and now charge a $5 entry fee for big games.To make matters worse, my final Advanced Negotiations class was taking place yesterday from 9 to 5.
As usual, technology saved the day (are you listening, Climate Change?); thanks to the Bittorrent model, I managed to catch a live feed from Asia using PPMate. Tucked at the back of the class, riding on McGill's wireless network, I was able to watch the entirety of the game, minus the Mandarin commentary. The picture is no HDTV, but still sharp enough to identify the players and follow the action.
Of course, a classroom setting is not the best for watching football (in case you ask, in the pub with a pint of beer is the best setting for watching football). I mutely protested as Thierry Henry was fouled in the area and the referee denied us a penalty. I cried in silence when Fatso Rooney opened the scoring for United in the 53rd minute. I wrung my hands without a squeak as the minutes passed by, getting us closer and closer to our first defeat at the Emirates Stadium. I punched the air under the table when Van Persie equalised with 7 minutes left on the clock.
But there was nothing I could do to contain my joy when, deep in extra time, Thierry Henry headed home, securing victory for the mighty Arsenal. I jumped up, shouted a resounding "YES" and threw my pen on the table where it smashed in pieces, showering the people around me with broken plastic.
I looked around and everybody was staring at me in silence. The referee whistled full time.
I sat down and prepared for my next negotiation.
5 comments:
You loser.
i saw that game on one of those asian channels at an asian bar drinking asian beer. i was at the Manchester fan club bar so they were upset. but a photograph from swiss times was there taking our groups picture all night ... maybe i made the paper.
After one year of studying at McGill, I have found some one who loves Arsenal. Finally!
I am new here and I am looking for an Arsenal fan club bar or some thing like that close to McGill or any where in Montreal. Could you post addresses for such clubs or bars where Gooners get together and enjoy the matches?
Hey man I'm back in London nowadays, went to the Emirates the other day to see us beating WHU 2-0... Champs was ok to watch sports, although they had started charging near the end. Otherwise it's tough to find EPL games anywhere regularly. Champions league and major tournaments are no problem, but for the rest... Champs it is!
Post a Comment