Here’s How To Properly Prepare For The World Cup If You’re In Malta For The Next Month
It’s finally here! We’re only a few weeks away from another World Cup, our chance to enjoy the biggest football stars from all over the world compete on the biggest international stage.
We’ll be cheering right along with the rest of the world for our favourite teams, but until then, here’s a few things to keep in mind when looking to watch games and celebrate in Malta.
1. Get to know your team
Forget your Panini stickers; most teams have finally released their official squad players, with a majority of the teams surprising us with their selections.
Many big players like Inter’s Ciro Immobile, Roma’s Radja Nainggolan, and ex-World Cup winner Mario Gotze, have all not been called up for their respected country, leaving space for new blood to raise up to the challenge.
2. Predict the outcome
A fun exercise to make with friends, family members, or even co-workers.
With a lot of betting sites guaranteed to offer bonuses and other incentives, you can even go for a more formalised prediction and stand to win some money off of it.
3. Familiarise yourself with fixture times
Know what time the games are on.
With regards to the group stages, most of the fixtures take place at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm, however there are a few exceptions.
Round of 16 fixtures and Quarter finals will be played with two matches per day, 4pm and 8pm.
Semi-finals will be played one per day, both at 8pm, and the final will be played on July 15th at 5pm.
Picture Above: Not a World Cup 2018 team
4. Where to watch
This one shouldn’t be a problem.
With the entire island catching World Cup fever, take it for granted that any and every restaurant, bar, pub and outlet that has a TV will be showing the fixtures.
Usually around the island there will also be large screens set up for the bigger matches. These include Spinola Bay next to Tigullio and the Malta National Aquarium.
From World Cup Arenas to exclusive VIP lounges, this island has got it all.
5. Car-cading
Normally there would be two sets of supporters considering car-carding.
This year, however, as Italy failed to make it to the group stage of the World Cup, it is very doubtful that we will see cars going around with the Italian flag.
That is, unless England lose. Oh Malta, never change.
6. Stock up on food and supplies
Everybody loves getting involved with the World Cup; much like Eurovision, either you love it or you pretend not to enjoy it but follow it anyway.
Short of an election or a massive festa, this is a time when you’ll be seeing flags all around Malta, this time of every nation represented on people’s balconies, windowsills, and roofs.
Show off your (true?) colours while your team is winning, and then awkwardly remove them the second they get knocked out. Pity you won’t get much use out of that green and yellow wig when this is all done.
