select - World Cup Capitals, part 3
Written by Brian Johnston Illustration by Alex Latimer
Soccer is lauded as ‘The Beautiful Game’ and followed with zeal in the four corners of the globe. Oryx tours some capital cities with a faithful football following – all in countries with teams participating in this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Lagos
AFRICA’S SECOND-LARGEST CITY and one of the fastest-growing in the world, Lagos may no longer be Nigeria’s capital, but it is the undisputed economic epicentre of the country. It’s also famed for its cultural scene, from moviemaking to performing arts and particularly music, with home-grown styles such as naija hip-hop, Afrobeat, and highlife catching on across the continent. Not surprisingly, nightlife is thriving, especially in the Victoria Island district. Residents are also soccer-mad, with national team the Super Eagles followed with fanaticism. When the urban energy gets a bit too much, the city is surrounded by canals and lagoons, and offers surprisingly good beaches at Atlantic Ocean suburbs such as Lekki, Bar Beach, and Badagry.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily flights from Doha to Lagos.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tall, fast, and full of energy, 19-year-old Macauley Chrisantus – centre-forward for the German side Karlsruher SC – was the top scorer at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2007, helping Nigeria win that title.
Madrid
IF YOU HAVE THE STAMINA FOR LIFE LIVED 24 HOURS A DAY, this very trendy and confident European capital is the place to be. At night, its entertainment districts around Plaza Santa Ana come alive with flamenco bars, restaurants, and jazz venues, while neighbourhoods such as Malasaсa and Chueca offer tapas bars and nightclubs that buzz until dawn.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily flights from Doha to Madrid.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Scoring 35 goals in just 53 appearances, US$50 million super-star striker David Villa plays with devastating effect on either foot, and is not only the one to watch for Spain, but for the whole tournament.
Paris
PARIS IS THE MOST VISITED CITY ON EARTH, and everyone has an image of the French capital: a bastion of culture, sophisticated shopping, and romance. The city is all that, but this is also a town of neighbourhoods where ordinary people go about their business, full of the flavours of daily French life. The Eiffel Tower is the glorious symbol of Paris, and many also want to experience its outstanding museums, such as the Louvre and the Musйe d’Orsay, as well as the vast palace and gardens of Versailles in the suburbs. Just save time for the superlative shopping – and a coffee on the terrace of a cafй, where you can watch the world go by.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has twice daily flights from Doha to Paris.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Born in a tough Parisian suburb, the magnificent Thierry Henry is one of Europe’s best-loved players. With prolific pace, his great versatility allows him to dominate as striker or winger, as his 51 international goals in 118 appearances attest.
Rome
KICK OFF YOUR VISIT TO ROME by admiring the view from Janiculum Hill, where the whole spread of the historic capital lies beneath in a jostle of domes and cupolas. The rooftops of the Vatican are a standout, and this tiny independent state is a must-see. At its centre, St Peter’s Basilica is strewn with sculptures, baroque cherubs, and artworks, while the Vatican Museum, one of the world’s best art galleries, incorporates the Michelangelo frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Yet, while art and ancient Roman remains are its chief attraction, take time to explore Rome’s chic fashion boutiques, restaurants, and neighbourhood piazzas, where young soccer enthusiasts kick footballs and strolling couples enjoy gelato in the sunshine.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily flights from Doha to Rome.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Captain Fabio Cannavaro is the only defender to ever win the FIFA World Player of the Year award. Now 36, this will surely be his last World Cup, and the Azzuro will hope his experience and coolness will get them to the finals.
Tokyo
TOKYO IS THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING URBAN EXPERIENCE: Japan’s showcase in every field from arts and music to high fashion, teenage trends, anime, technology, and pop culture. The feeling of urgency and energy is palpable. It’s the Japanese success story par excellence: a heady mixture of big business, commerce, entertainment, and startling contrasts. Serene temples compete with ear-splitting karaoke bars, and traditional alley shops stand in the shadow of glittering department stores. Plunge into a kaleidoscope of neon lights, pachinko parlours, staggering shopping, streets, and frenetic nightlife. Then wander down side streets, where you’ll uncover tiny shrines, wooden houses, tranquil Japanese gardens, and speciality shops from times gone by.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily flights from Doha to Tokyo.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Central playmaker and reigning Asian Footballer of the Year, Yasuhito Endo, is the latest in a long line of versatile Japanese midfielders, and his chemistry with compatriot Makoto Hasebe is the foundation of the team’s short-passing game.
Washington DC
THE US CAPITAL IS A FAMILIAR FIXTURE on our movie and TV screens, but there is nothing like the real thing: a heady mixture of American symbolism, politics and modern life. It’s also one of the continent’s most historic towns, full of iconic monuments and buildings, shady parks, memorials, and museums such as the staggering Smithsonian. Georgetown is the place where you’ll best get a feel for Washington DC’s colonial history and origins as a tobacco port. But beyond its famous sights, the capital has a thriving arts and live music scene, and great shopping, dining, and nightlife in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods such as Adams-Morgan, U-Street Corridor, Penn Quarter, and the much-revived Old Downtown.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways flies from Doha to Washington DC daily.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Goalkeeper Tim Howard’s eight saves against Spain at the Confederations Cup in 2009 earned him a clean sheet against the World No.1 team, and his ensuing performance throughout the tournament earned him the Golden Gloves.
Seoul
IN SEOUL, HISTORY COLLIDES WITH TECHNOLOGY. Get lost in the 500 buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace before investigating ultra-modern shopping malls. Later, mingle with university students in Shinchon district eateries, and check out the pulsating nightlife around Gangnam. Sometimes the juxtaposition of old and new is surreal: splendid 14th-century Namdaemun Gate is surrounded by a swirl of jostling Hyundais.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways flies from Doha to Seoul daily.
PLAYER TO WATCH
While the talented Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung is noted for his exceptional fitness, Koreans will be looking to free-kick specialist and creative front-man Park Chu-Young to get them past the first stages.
