I went to watch Algeria -v- South Korea last night, with Algerian fans in Cricklewood.
I've been here before - in 2009 - when I watched a World Cup qualifying match. It was so good then, I knew I'd come back.
To run out an old football cliché, it was a game of two halves.
I spent the first half in a quiet café; the second half in a more excited café - with drums and tambourines
It's all blokes here (except for the one woman working in the cafe). Some are chatting and paying no attention to the match..
In both venues, the fans were loud and lively when Algeria scored, but sat quietly chatting for the rest of the time. Cool for school, they were.
All pretty quiet here except for the two Algerian fans wearing flags who grunt/chant whenever Algeria have a chance at goal.
The Algerian fans are certainly a bit more animated now they're 3-0 up. One man is hitting his plastic bottle on the table to celebrate. Everybody in the café is jumping, jumping.
The Algeria fans have all piled out to tge street for a celebratory fag and flag-wave.
Much like the Colombia match in Elephant and Castle, as I was standing on the street, people passing by add to it all.
- An old Irish guy just wandered past, noticing the score. "This is not over yet," he says sagely.
- A happy guy just went by, checked the score, and shouted "oh ho Africa!" while punching the air.
- Man wearing an Irish soccer shirt passes, oblivious.
- Algerian fan: "Ireland! Who're you supporting? Algeria?"
- Irish fan: "Oh yeah, definitely" *thumbs up*
Next up: Bosnia Hercegovina -v- Iran, hopefully with Bosnia fans... if I can find them!
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