Queue was massive on arrival at Republica metro, was over 100 deep and there was no way i was waiting in that as i had to meet Duncan on the other side in 2minutes so I waltzed up to front and as luck would have it a guy i met on the train in Donetsk a few years ago was at the front, good lad only got me a return as well. Went through the barrier looking around for dunc, he could be anywhere so i thought best move on to the Stadium. Metro took just under half hour, got talking with some locals on train and they pointed out there was two stops, the main Corinthians stadium one but also the one before where thousands were already congregating as seen from the metro as it was overground at the latter stage of the red line. Hung around on platform then headed back as i couldnt see an opportunity to purchase a ticket off a tout. Stepping off train with Brazilians i soon lost them amongst the crowded station, my first target was the first checkpoint to see what tickets were around, the prices for any available were silly money, it wasnt looking good. Walking around for an hour or so and i bump into Richard, hes had no luck and reiterated that there were prices in thousands Reais for tickets, i only had 900, one Luton lad offered 1500 reais (£400) and they still said no, it was a nightmare as the locals wasnt parting with there tickets, they all wanted to watch England. Walking up to the bars on the streets at another level i spotted the Forest lads, a welcome site because i was becoming rather lost in myself, i needed a bloody ticket, no luck with them, at this stage all the boys started rocking up, Parksey, Pedro, knighty, Villa Mark, Lee and Wayne, now theres 5 of us without tickets and 2 hours to go. Now Im feeling quite down, i couldnt get wrapped up in the atmosphere even though i made an effort. Clocks ticking away and all those with tickets gather up to venture on to the Stadium which was a good 1/2 walk away.....Im going with you lads, gotta give it a go, on approaching the first checkpoint i thought OMG, got no chance, the lads were all in it with me, military police checking tickets, as Russ slid through he drop his hand and gave me his ticket, i put it up and showed one of the police, once through it was an ignorant walk forward, 3 lads had been stopped for beer, i gave Rus hid ticket back one down, how many more to go??...Walking up the fairly steep slope there was a fair bit of banter and micky taking, next checkpoint approaching, this time they looked more thorough, we stuck together as a group, no plan here, this was going to be a lost ticket blag, three of us bundled through and i pulled my empty ticket sleeve out that Rus lent me, this is unbelievable, Ive slipped through number 2 checkpoint, at this stage the lads started laughing and geeing me up, 2 down one to go, I knew the next one was going to be a ticket scan one, the nerves were really kicking in for me, the Corinthians Stadium now well and truly in sight, how the bloody hell am i going to pull this one off??...We had a group photo before I attempt the last hurdle, Rus said get QPR at the front of Forest flag, if this comes off it will be nothing short of amazing. The walk through the winding galvanized barriers seem to take an age, we all went through Xray and now it was the moment, bit of commotion from a few of lads, i was tight to pedro, he went through, i pulled empty pouch out, no ticket, i remember staring at this young Brazilian girl, my tickets gone, ive lost it, with that Pedro passed me his, we tried the scan and it didnt work again, oh dear, she told me to go to fifa kiosk, all the lads are well gone now, hopes of getting in were fading, i tried ticket at another barrier, the bar code was now void as Pedro had used it. Im now in another queue, as luck had it other ticket holders were having problems, the guy in front had a forgery and they wasnt letting him in, funny how i noticed 350 reais on his ticket, my turn, it wont work..he looked at ticket, was a genuine one, are you David Brook??.... of course i am....wheres your id??...as if you carry id to a footy match i said, he looked at me, wrote a few ticket details and give me a white ticket with a bar code, i walked around to the side, handed my ticket to the waiting middle aged Brazilian guy, scanned my ticket and Bingo.....I was in the bloody stadium!!!!!. Bumped into Tubes as i was walking in, had a chat to him about uncle Chris then it was find the lads and show them that there was a very happy QPR fan about to watch the England v Uruguay World Cup football match. There was still more trekking to the other side of ground,even ended up in the executive suit at one point, made my way down to the front of England fans and introduced myself to the boys, good job Pedro is as tall as me as i spotted him first. Result didnt go our way, nice to celebrate the goal but mistakes cost us again. Ah well, Im still smiling!!!.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 04:03:52 +0000