SENTINELCELTS

The Viaplay Cup, the Petrofac Cup, the Cinch Premiership, the Betfred etc etc,,,I’m not a fan at all of these strange names but I grudgingly understand the tendency. But I’ll refer to it as the League Cup thanks.
Even worse, the trophy rarely tends to be an actual cup these days, jeezo even the grandest Cup of all, The World Cup was simply the globe on a stand for a while. Sometimes it feels like there’s more playing with words than play on the park, but a final is upon us as well you all know.
 
It’s apparent everywhere this clash is highly anticipated, team sheets and tactics, both sides strengths and weaknesses, the supporters analysis has arrived extra early and with much more vigor.
The beauty of this, to me anyway, is that everybody has their own little personal reason for truly looking forward to and savouring the occasion.
 
There’s no right or wrong answer here, it’s each to their own, but upon reflection the mixed crowd is one of my personal highlights.
I admit I listen to the football at high volume, the lower levels of the sound bar are perfect for picking up crowd noise, one aspect of the game that I truly appreciate.
 
For this expat the ohs and ahs really helps me fully engage and become nostalgic, sometimes the crowd is raises the crescendo whilst attacking, sometimes they drip venom when the players or managers clash, occasionally you hear too much, occasionally the mics dull down the crowd noise as happened for those watching the fantastic World Cup final via ITV.
 
Stating the obvious but fully sharing a stadium with the oppositions support rarely happens. There’s no moment of silence or crowd groans to be heard should your team concede instead you’re greeted with a vast roar which is half aimed at the team and half at you, each support attempts to outsing each other, while every attack is rip roaringly encouraged which could be down to the copious amounts of alcohol or not.
And when all’s said and down, half the stadium will be vocally urged to go home and all inside or outside shall wince at that final massive hoorah when the victorious Captain lifts that trophy high.
 
Finals are an audio delight but also a visual spectacle due to the crowd(s). The Parkhead faithful, used to their sea of green, shall be confronted with equal numbers of the opposing teams preferred colours, but unlike a sea of red for Aberdeen for instance this opposing sea of colours represent something much deeper.
Old Franky made a song about two tribes going to war, it’s certainly felt like that in the past (the Ally Lenny confrontation for instance) however with no imminent mass physical battle due to police presence (I hope) both sets of supporters will tend to fly those flags higher and rub their identity in others noses as much as humanly possible.
So the ‘special occasion’ banner gets dusted off, the one-off Tifos get ordered, the flags fly extra high and with extra gusto for both sides.
A true final should be a sight to behold. I hope it proves so this Weekend.
 
Speaking of sights to behold perhaps you love the fact you can witness history being made,,or the swelling of the trophy cabinet which is the true benchmark of a successful football club,,or maybe even the intense buildup?
I’ve given you one good reason for my excitement, a different than usual crowd and all that entails, so what about finals do you particularly enjoy?
 
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com