You could not have asked for a larger discrepancy between day two and day three. The USA England match was elbow to elbow, every bar packed with fanatics living and dying with every step. On Sunday, the intensity for Ghana and Serbia was so intense, I didn't make it to the bar until the 2nd half (I had family in town, and watched the first half from home). Once I made it inside, there were two other people there. So perhaps not the best opportunity to judge Q's as a sports haven.
However, I have frequented Q's enough times to give a solid overall assessment. As for the match, here's what unfolded...
7:08am Settling in on the couch with a croissant and coffee, I just witnessed one of my favorite soccer ploys. An obvious foul, followed by the player shooting both arms up into the air, as if they police have tasers locked on target. You can relax a tad--we're not in Philadelphia.
7:15am Off a corner kick, a Ghana player heads it right into his face's teammate. Pobably not how they drew that one up.
7:40am My largest complaint about soccer: players don't shoot often enough. I realize this is a dumb American, but if we've learned anything from the US-England match, it is that good things can happen when you put the shot on goal. It happened in the previous match Sunday morning as well. Meanwhile, Serbia dances around, waiting for the perfect opportunity, only to get "dispossessed". This is one of my favorite phrases soccer announcers use (or at least Bob Ley). Try it out... Favre, back to pass, over the middle... dispossessed by Darren Sharper!" Sounds extra fancy!
8:15am I finally hunker down at Q's, with two people. You know its slow when the waitress doesn't bother to walk behind the bar.
Or perhaps she realized I would take the morning off, alcohol wise. I perused a breakfast menu halfheartedly, and they have a nice range, but pretty much everything was at least $9, and by the time it came out of the kitchen, I could be halfway home. We're on a budget here, people. Diet coke it is.
8:27am Another soccer classic: a Serbian player gets pushed in the back, and falls in agony as if Edward Scizzorhands was doing the shoving.
8:31am Yellow card for Lukovic on Serbia, his second of the match. Do videnja! erbia now a man down. THe grizzled vet next to me sums it up thusly: "Bunch of bloody amateurs!"
8:36am Serbia with a fantastic chance, but the shot fired heads directly at the keeper, who saves. Big moment for the Ghana faithful, who look poised to break out some sweet 90s moves in their cross color jerseys.
8:39am Hand ball! A yellow card and a penalty kick awarded to Ghana. Replays showed a fairly blatant outstretched fist punching the ball away. Perhaps a "hand of Devil" moment for Serbia. Great reaction shot of the Serbian goalie, who looks like someone just told him his dog died.
8:40am Goooooal! Gyan nails it, as the Ghana fans erupt with an impromptu Hip Hop Hooray! Ho! swaying from side to side. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the crowd at Q's opts for a more subdued approach. But we're all excited on the inside.
8:50am Full time. Ghana gets the 3 points with a 1-0 victory. In doing so, they become the first African team to win a World Cup match on African soil. Pretty cool accomplishment, even with the Serbians making costly mistakes.
Post script report card:
Match rating: B-. Penalty kicks are always exciting, espcially that late in the match. But overall, a tough game to get into from a fan's perspective. Perhaps next time I should try watching the whole game. Fair point.
Venue/beer rating: B+. As someone with a great deal of experience at Q's, I can vouch for the fact that it is a great place to watch a game, especially if you are in your 20s. It is loud, the crowd skews to the post college, first job where you kinda make money audience. Usually quite loud, and the social scene is as important as what's on TV. Speaking of which, the screens are plentiful, but at the bar, if your game is not on the bottom row of screens, you will have to crane your neck upwards, which is annoying. But the walkways are wide, and there is plenty of natural light from the windows, so it gives it a much more open feel than, say, Sports Harbour.
As for the beers, they have 12 beers on tap, ll standard fare. Fat Tire and Pyramid Haywire are about as exotic as you get, but they do have most styles represented, save for IPAs and Porters.
Next up: a trip out to downtown Los Angeles, to check out the Azzurri in action against Paraguay. Venue TBD, most likely Casey's.
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