FIFA World Cup 2014: Off the field moments from Brazil

Mixed experience

Fewer reporters had applied for Algeria-Germany tickets anticipating a thumping win for the three-time world champions and the distance of Porto Alegre from Rio de Janeiro was another factor to scare them away. So, even Indian journalists got the privilege of choosing between press conference and mixed zone after the match. The latter appeared appealing.

Mixed zone is a zig-zag path that leads players from the dressing rooms to team buses. Star power of German players became evident during the one-hour session. It was like ragging in colleges as Germany sent out the little known Christoph Kramer first.

The charming young man, who was a second-half substitute against Algeria, had time for all the reporters. But the likes of Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Manuel Neur sprinted through the area without uttering a word. Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller were glorious exceptions.

Philipp Lahm stopped to say “hello” but said “bye” upon hearing English words. Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski probably identified the Gunner in yours truly and shook hands warmly after being enquired about his injury that had kept him out of the Algeria match. Algerian players, on the other hand, answered every question. The manager of Algeria had to drag one player to the team bus.   

Porto alegre, an European city in Brazil

Porto Alegre has an unmistakeable European air. The capital of Brazil’s southern-most state, Rio Grande do Sul, is among the chilliest places in the country. Temperatures in the vicinity of zero aren’t uncommon during winter. Porto Alegre, one of the five host cities when Brazil staged the World Cup in 1950, is also home to a large number of German and Italian immigrants. Germans started arriving here 190 years ago and difficulties caused by World War II brought more to the shores of Brazil. A German was one of the founders of Gremio, a popular club here. Little wonder then Joachim Loew’s team had plenty of supporters during their match against Algeria here on Monday.

Rio Grande do Sol is also called the state of Gauchos (cowboys) and Ronaldinho is the most famous Gaucho in football. Ronaldinho has a flat in the high-end apartment where we stayed during our short visit to Porto Alegre. We learned that his mother visits his flat once in a while. Our gracious Indian host told us gently not to indulge in any adventurism to get a story about Ronaldinho. “We are planning to live here for some years,” she added, laughing.

Current Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as well as former Selecao boss Dunga hail from Porto Alegre. The city of 1.5 million inhabitants has the “most beautiful street in the world.” Trees form a canopy over Rua Goncalo de Carvalho as far as your eyes can scan. It was declared as a site of historical, cultural, ecological and environmental heritage in 2006. Walking along the tree-lined street on a freezing night was not an appetizing prospect for a Chennai resident who is more familiar with 35 and 40 degrees of heat.