World Cup in London: Algeria

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.

I'm in a small café in Cricklewood, watching #ALG play #KOR - with fans of Algeria. pic.twitter.com/HEM85KSYjO
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

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.

It's all blokes here (except for the one woman working in the cafe). Some are chatting and paying no attention to the match...
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

Moved to another café for the 2nd half, thanks to @carriesparkle tip. Much more lively here. Drums + tambourines! pic.twitter.com/EGgaXmTmea
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

And in both venues, the fans were loud and lively when Algeria scored, but sat quietly chatting for the rest of the time. A bit too 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.
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

Algeria score again! Everyone is happy! https://t.co/hBiTUziinj
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

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.
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

Everybody in the Algeria café is jumping, jumping. https://t.co/BQbaCdhIDh
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

The Algeria fans have all piled out to tge street for a celebratory fag and flag-wave. pic.twitter.com/dgDFEwIcLU
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

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.
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

A happy guy just went by, checked the score, and shouted "oh ho Africa!" while punching the air.
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

Man in Irish shirt passes, oblivious. Algerian fan: "Ireland! Who're you supporting? Algeria?" Irish fan: "Oh yeah, definitely" *thumbs up*
— Adrian (@acediscovery) June 22, 2014

Next up: Bosnia Hercegovina -v- Iran, hopefully with Bosnia fans... if I can find them!