Kazakhstan-England, June 6... the tickets, the arrogance
Thursday, 04 June 09, 10:31 PM · Comments (9)
6th of June, Central Stadium of Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2010 World Cup Quallifiers: Kazakhstan versus England.
And I got myself two tickets! Now, you may be wondering what is the fuss about getting tickets to a football match... Well you are WRONG! W-R-O-N-G, wrong!
The ticket windows promised to open at 7 am, june 3rd. Though really the tickets started to pour out on june 2nd, through akimats (administrative government units), football associations. But since I don't know people who work there, I didn't even have a chance. So, on Wednesday, the ticket booths opened, closed, opened... There were under a thousand people waiting in line. But somehow, they ran out of tickets pretty fast... and all of a sudden guys walking around the stadium began reselling those same tickets at a double stake!
Here are some numbers:
Southern and Northern tribunes: 2 000 tenge = app. 8 euros, reseller price: 4 000 tenge = app. 16 euros.
[there are rumours now that the price rose to 7 000 tenge, or 28 euros]
Eastern tribune: 8 000 tenge = app. 32 euros, reseller price: 16 000 tenge = app. 64 euros.
Western tribune: 12 000 tenge = app. 48 euros, reseller price: 25 000 tenge = app. 96 euros.
(the currency rate is about 250 tenge - 1 euro)
Luckily, I can run. And I got myself the tickets, because I can run. A peculiar story happened to me, really. When I was in the very end of the line, one man from the stadium administration announced to the end of the lines that a new ticket window opened at the opposite end of the stadium. And all this mass of men running all around the stadium! Just imagine speeding half a big running stadium-track that is three times as wide and you are at the very edge. Add to that 200 meters to the stadium, 100 meters up the steps.... and suppose you are running with a backpack with your laptop and workout clothes.
Yeah, that's me. As I said earlier, I can run... and it helped me get in line pretty close to the window. But that was just part of the thing. When word spread out that there is a new ticket booth with little people there, everybody went and started trying to get in front of you. I should really mention that I was the only girl that ran to that booth. I am crazy, am I not? I tried to keep in line, though it was hard. Two guys almost got into a fight, some people started pushing each other, resulting in everyone almost falling to the ground. We were standing under the sun. But I've made it... I SURVIVED. AND got myself two wonderful tickets to the game.
Speaking of the game, the stadium is going to be packed. This is a major sporting event that people are dying to attend! It seems that here are two teams with their fates already obvious: one is going to South Africa, the other is not. However, Fabio Capello decided to make sure England is number one in group A and brought his Star Team to Kazakhstan.
When the players arrived at Almaty Internation Airport there were close to 300 fans desparate to see their idols. EPL is BIG in Kazakhstan and you could see people in shirts of different football clubs, with flags, scarves, etc... Yet, none of them quarelled and greeted all players of the English squad.
But the Englishmen seemed very tired and refused to meet any local fans or journalist. In fact, they asked to keep the locals away from them during the stay. Later on the press-conference Rooney and Lampard mumbled their answers and tried to talk more to the english press.
Now, I might be a bit harsh... Forgive me, if I am. But I think it's not very nice to treat your fans like that. Yes, we are Kazakh-STAN, we are in Central Asia, many citizens of our Republic are muslim... but that doesn't meant that we are lower than England. Our country is a growing state, it is only in its 18 year of independence... You can't treat others as inferiors, that is plain rude and stupid.
Personally, I am a bit frustrated... I've been following England National Team's ups and downs since 2002 - the year I discovered football. I always hoped that they would win something. And now this is a slight slap on the face.
But even before 'the slap' I was going to wear my Kazakhstan shirt on Saturday, and I really hope they play their best and show 'em who's boss.
GO KZ! And I'll be back with some pics from my place on the stadium.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
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Rishi M Liverpool fc said:Rafa rafa plzzzz bring in berg n de federico..
Am sure they'll help us clinch...
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Aida_A
Almaty, KZ
Random stuff from a Barca-Liverpool fan
9 Comments · Add yours
Please do not tell me your theory behind the England squad's reticence to see Kazakh supporters is down to prejudice against Muslims? 'Yes, we are Kazakh-STAN, we are in Central Asia, many citizens of our Republic are muslim... but that doesn't meant that we are lower than England.' Respond to this or you run the serious risk of offending and embarrassing yourself.
The Premier League is the most diverse in the world and I can't speak for the players, but as a nation we are one of the most welcoming. Your comments are ill founded and utterly relevant. This is the World Cup, the point is WE WANT to play people all over the world.
Go on Kaza
fuck those arrogant sons of bitches!!! its a crappy nation anyhow, oh... wait a minute, i forgot, it aint a nation, its still livin in the age of old kingdoms and shit!!! No offence, but ive went there on a summer vacation once, actually visited london and manchester, and i gotta tell u it was the most boring vacation ive ever had!! more boring than a 3 hours lecture at the british university (which i happen to go to) taught by a lame cold blooded british professor!! and just to reply to "debaucheryltd", i have experienced and dealt with a lot of britians there and happen to deal with them everday of my life at college, and they are the most arrogant stupid talkin cold blooded poeple ive ever met!!!!
Reply to Blaugrana is MY LIFE!!!:
Steady on there , Champ.
Some people might consider that flagrant racism.
I hope you haven't left your IP address on here sonny, because that is a criminal offence.
Maybe pipe down before you get yourself into trouble.
Reply to Blaugrana is MY LIFE!!!:
Not really a reply was it? Just a series of confused and racist ramblings. P.S No one cares where you went on holiday.
Dont base your opinion of the english on stupid athletes, the majority of athletes are stuck up and full of themselves.
they are not ambassadors. just keep believing in your people and country and be proud of that.
As a mexican and basque person, i put up with alot of racism, especially in the USA, but i still loving being who I Am, and i still love the USA.
I have meet alot of english, and they are good people.
Reply to Blaugrana is MY LIFE!!!:
Easy fella, you'll give yourself a hernia.
But that's just it... Many people get the wrong impression when they come here at first. Because, frankly speaking, we are somewhat close to Afghanistan (or at least that's what people think before looking at the map), and we have the 'stan in our name'... and you know what people are like when they hear Afghanistan... that was my point.
It's just that I was really offended when people that all of us here really admire looked at us like we were - what? - uncivilised?
Yeah, our stadiums are not Emirates or Old Trafford, but the people here are great.
And I do understand that it is only the athletes. Because there are SO SO So many foreigners here, there are so many people from USA, Great Britain that love Kazakhstan. In fact I know one who will come to the match with a Kazakh flag wrapped around him.
Because we have an amazing culture and history. I just feel bad that those footballers didn't even get to meet that.
Oh, and if anyone of you thinks it normal (of their behaviour)... you are wrong. When Portugal played against our side in ALmaty they gave autographs in the airport, met the fans, gave interviews. They said how happy they were they had many good fans here, so far away.
ANd the nicest person? Well, it was Cristiano Ronaldo...
Oh, gee... I might have made many mistakes in my English. The emotions are just taking over.
2 Blaugrana is my life: I wish I could delete your reply.
Again, sorry for double posting... Well, looks like at least some kids got to get their autographs.
Apparently kids from one school, that is mentored by the British Council were given access to their closed training at Dinamo stadium.
Well, at least it's something...