World Cup 2022 news: Locked-down Chinese football fans experiment with ‘hot beer’
World Cup fans in China are experimenting with beer temperatures as they remain in Covid-19 restrictions, showing off their drinks on social media. Plus, all the latest World Cup news.
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While the British are teased by foreigners for their warm beer, the Chinese are taking it a step further.
Hot beer has become a trend among fans watching the World Cup this year, thanks to its flavour and the warmth it brings in the cold winter.
Chinese football fans have been showing off their piping hot alcoholic drinks on social media, having been advised to watch matches at home or outdoors due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Similar to mulled wine, Chinese hot beer is simmered with warming spices, citrus and goji berries. Devotees say that the sweetness from the fruits enhances the flavour and neutralises the bitterness of hops.
Food bloggers on TikTok are sharing videos, with apparently no limit on ingredients or flavour combinations.
Popular bubble tea and coffee brands are buying into the trend with beer-based drinks. Coco, a large bubble tea chain, has collaborated with Snow, a Chinese brewery, to release a coconut-flavoured hot beer, according to the food blog Foodaily.com.
Street markets in Shanghai, Nanjing and the central city of Changsha also offer hot beer, and Foodaily reports that they are usually sold out within an hour or two. One particular hot beer was sold for 9.9 yuan (pounds 1.17) per cup at a market where the World Cup matches were shown on a big screen. It came with orange, lemon, red dates and goji berries.
Drinking hot beer in winter was already a tradition in southwest China as winters there are typically very cold and damp. Drinking hot beverages is recommended by traditional Chinese medicine, as it is claimed to keep the digestive system in optimal condition.
Chinese media has also noted a growing trend for mulled wine in recent years, echoing a European tradition. The popular hot Butterbeer from the Harry Potter books has been sold at Universal Studios in Beijing.
Of course China is not the only nation that likes its beer hot. In Poland, a spiced and flavoured beer known as Grzane Piwo, or Grzaniec, is also a winter tradition.
Mulled ale was popular in Britain and books from the 1800s contain many variations on the theme of hot and hearty ale concoctions. The strangest and most substantial of these was posset, prepared by curdling milk or cream with hot wine or beer.
Shakespeare was perhaps not a fan, however. In Hamlet, the murdered king’s ghost describes poison causing his blood to “posset and curd, like eager droppings into milk”.
Chinese hot beer is simmered with warming spices, citrus and goji berries.
– Originally published by The Times –
VIDEO: WORLD CUP STAFFER SLAMMED FOR THROWING A CAT
The Sun
Brazil’s press officer shocked reporters after picking up a cat and throwing it on the floor.
The official was sat alongside Vinicius Jr at the time of the incident.
Vinicius was answering questions to the press when a cat jumped up onto the table.
The Brazil star laughed as the curious feline chilled out during the press conference.
But the press officer decided to pick up the kitty by the fur on its back before dropping it over the front of the desk.
The reporters present could be heard gasping in shock but the Brazilian looked puzzled as he shrugged his shoulders.
He did not YEET the cat like that omgggggg pic.twitter.com/fIUxqs9kBZ
— is bad at taking a social media break (@CourtneyStith) December 7, 2022
A cat joined Vinicius' Brazil press conference today! 😂ðŸˆpic.twitter.com/K3C8tTEvUi
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 7, 2022
He quickly asked for the next question as Vinicius burst out laughing.
The 22-year-old appeared to ask the press officer why he decided to get rid of the cat and seemed to laugh out of shock.
Fans on social media were also shocked by the press officer’s actions, with one writing: “Why did he throw it???”
Another added: “He didn’t have to throw it like that.”
And a third said: “Why did he pick the cat up like that …. I hope Brazil don’t win the world Cup now 😒.”
Vinicus was speaking ahead of Brazil’s quarter-final clash with Croatia on Friday.
The Real Madrid winger scored in the previous round against South Korea, which Brazil won 4-1.
WORLD CUP FINES: $80K FOR XENOPHOBIC CHANTS
FIFA has sanctioned World Cup quarterfinalists Croatia following abuse by their fans targeting Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
A disciplinary inquiry fined the Croatian federation $80,000 “in relation to the behaviour of Croatian supporters during the Croatia v. Canada FIFA World Cup match on 27 November”, a statement announced.
During the match in Doha, Croatia fans verbally insulted Borjan, an ethnic Serb, who was born in Croatia but fled the country as a child.
They also brandished banners, including one which referred to a 1995 military operation that ended Croatia’s independence war.
During and after the operation more than 200,000 ethnic Serbs fled the country, including Borjan’s family.
Croatia’s punishment comes 48 hours before they take on Brazil in the last-eight on Friday.
The Serbian federation were also in the FIFA dock, receiving a $31,000 fine over a controversial flag depicting Kosovo hung up in the team’s dressing room during their group game against Brazil.
The Kosovo football federation (FFK) filed a complaint with the governing body after photos showed a version of the Serbian flag with a map including Kosovo as part of the country and stamped with the slogan “there will be no surrender”.
Kosovo, a former Yugoslav province with an Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade refuses to recognise.
In a third case before FIFA’s disciplinary committee six bookings for the Saudi Arabian team in their games against Argentina and Mexico cost their federation two fines of $24,000 each.
FAT SHAMED STAR QUITS
Belgium star Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, days after the team crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage.
The Real Madrid forward, 31, made the announcement on social media, saying “a page turns today”.
“Thank you for your unparalleled support,” he posted on Instagram. “Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you.”
The Belgium team tweeted: “All the best, captain.”
Earlier in Belgium’s disappointing Qatar campaign he was fat-shammed by a journalist during a press conference.
An Egyptian reporter was captured on video asking the Real Madrid star about his weight ahead of Belgium’s must-win group clash against 2018 runner-up Croatia — which they could only manage a draw.
The Belgian star was later forced to awkwardly turn down a selfie request from the journalist.
Hazard, who played as an attacking midfielder or winger, made his Belgium debut in 2008 as a teenager and collected a total of 126 caps, scoring 33 goals.
He was the standard-bearer of Belgium’s much-vaunted “golden generation”, which reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The team is still ranked second in the world by FIFA but many of their players are in their 30s and they finished third in Group F behind Morocco and Croatia.
Hazard, who was the team’s skipper, made a surprise admission during the tournament in Qatar, saying the team’s best chance to win the World Cup had come and gone.
14 years. 126 caps. 33 goals. Uncountable memories. 🇧🇪 #MerciEdenpic.twitter.com/z1gBULJKLe
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) December 7, 2022
All the best, captain. â¤ï¸ðŸ‡§ðŸ‡ª #MerciEdenpic.twitter.com/Rsa0Mwf18T
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) December 7, 2022
The forward moved from French club Lille to Chelsea in 2012 and became one of the standout stars in the Premier League, winning the trophy twice.
He sealed a big-money move to Real Madrid in 2019 but, hampered by injury, has struggled to repeat the form he showed in England.
Belgium were stalked by rumours of infighting in Qatar and a number of the country’s other stars including Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have likely played their final World Cup matches.
In the aftermath of their exit, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez announced he was leaving his job.
Memories of ‘82 drive Southgate to get it right this time
– The Times
The most recent time that England took on France in the World Cup, an 11-year-old Gareth Southgate dashed back from school in Crawley, arriving home just in time for the 4.15pm kick-off to hear John Motson describing the action from Bilbao on June 16, 1982.
Scarcely had Southgate got through the door, when Motson excitedly proclaimed ” … and a great chance for the first goal, it’s there, Bryan Robson! Bryan Robson! No 16! Pounces there in the first minute! What a start for England! Amazing. [Paul] Mariner and [Terry] Butcher caused problems from the throw … Robson on his left foot, which he favours, knocked the ball in.”
On this day in 1982 Bryan Robson scores after just 27 seconds for England ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ against France 🇫🇷 at the World Cup in Spain (Bilbao) pic.twitter.com/xSMjlCMTEA
— Old School Panini (@OldSchoolPanini) June 16, 2019
Southgate’s pace over the pavements and his determination to make kick-off were rewarded as Robson, his favourite player, scored after only 27 seconds, and added an imperious header later in a 3-1 win. Southgate was a Manchester United fan growing up, and his devotion to Robson ran to copying the shirt hanging out at the front and tucked in at the back when he played, and sporting the New Balance boots that adorned Robson’s famous feet.
“Yes, yes,” Southgate said with a laugh on being reminded of his schoolboy admiration for the United legend. “I was a midfield player – not of his class – but I used to chip in with a few goals.”
Spain 1982 was the first World Cup Southgate could recall properly. “I remember a little bit of ‘78 [in Argentina] but obviously we [England] were not there but, yes, Bryan was my hero and I remember both the goals.
“It is the first World Cup watching England but also the Brazilian team in that tournament – Zico, Eder, Falcao, Socrates – so that is part of falling in love with the game.”
His admiration for Robson already ran deep, and their paths were to cross when his role model moved into coaching. “To then get to work with him with England [at Euro ‘96] was …” Southgate’s voice tailed off. “I found that really difficult to work with him with England and Steve Coppell at Crystal Palace. They were both heroes of mine, so I never really got fully comfortable with that until later.”
Southgate still has England’s 1982 World Cup song, This Time (We’ll Get It Right), ingrained in his mind. Ron Greenwood’s squad even appeared on Top of the Tops, including Kevin Keegan resplendent in a woollen jumper, as the single rose to No 2. Ultimately Ron’s 22 could not compete with the likes of Madness’s House of Fun.
Southgate had the World Cup sticker albums and, as for This Time, he said: “I did not actually buy the World Cup singles but I obviously know the songs. They’re in my head.”
As a manager, Southgate’s head quickly switched to how Greenwood fared. “I don’t know how Ron Greenwood was perceived at the time but they went out of that tournament without losing a game and you look back at the quality of the opponents they played [Spain and West Germany, as well as France].
“I have that picture in my head of Kevin and Trevor [Brooking] coming on at the end [of the 0-0 draw with Spain that resulted in England’s exit] when they were not fully fit and they were really, really close.”
Another meeting with France sticks in Southgate’s mind. It was a friendly defeat at the Stade de France in 2017, after which Southgate spoke about how England had to aspire to be more like the French. Within a year, Didier Deschamps’s side were world champions, but Southgate’s team are almost unrecognisable now, having matured into a strong tournament side. “We are different, there is no doubt about that,” Southgate said. “We’re further down the line as a team.”
But he added of the French, so productive now at their national football centre at Clairefontaine: “They have incredible depth of talent. When we look at them at every age group when we are studying all our development teams, they have such depth in every position.”
Even with Paul Pogba and injured, Deschamps can field Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Even without Karim Benzema, Deschamps can start Olivier Giroud, now his country’s record scorer, at centre forward.
“They have obviously lost quite a few players ahead of this tournament, yet you look at the team and you look at the squad, it is still remarkably strong,” Southgate said. “They’re full of speed, they’re compact and difficult to play against. You know the style of game you’re going to get and it is a brilliant challenge for us now.”
The most exacting challenge comes from Kylian Mbappe, who struck two fine goals in France’s round-of-16 win against Poland. “Look, he’s a world-class player who’s always producing the moments when they’re needed and that is what those top, top players do,” Southgate said. “Australia did so many things right [against Argentina on Saturday] and Lionel Messi pops up and delivers that moment. That’s what the big guys do. That’s the challenge we face.”
England have some aces in their own pack, including the 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, who impresses even more a more attacking role now that Jordan Henderson has arrived in midfield. “I felt in the game against the United States, we were putting tremendous responsibility on Jude and that was a game which was difficult to work out the midfield, the pressing and the problem-solving, and we thought Jordan helped that and we think he’s giving Jude a bit more freedom,” Southgate said. “He does not need to be quite as positionally disciplined.
“At the moment, he’s still young and is still learning when to press and when not to press. The positive of that is he turns over so many balls and regains them for you. But it means we’ve got a bit of balance and this is the best version of Hendo we’ve had. He looks in good physical condition, touch wood. His influence on the group is fantastic, always has been. And to chip in with a goal, he really deserves that.”
As for whether the Declan Rice-Bellingham-Henderson midfield would continue against France, Southgate replied: “Well, we’ve always got to get the balance of the team right. We’re wanting to be positive, we feel we’ve done that so far in this tournament. We’ve got energy in the team, we’ve got legs in the team, we’ve got depth in the squad. So I don’t think we should be drifting too far from what we’ve been.”
Southgate sees a belief growing. “Yes,” he said. “Because there’s a lot of experience of these moments and they know that they’ve had to win games in different ways, they’ve had to come from behind in big matches.
“We had a lot of caps on the pitch [against Senegal], even the younger ones because we’ve blooded them early. And we’ve given them experiences. It’s meant the depth of the squad, but also the experience on the pitch, is better than it’s been for quite a while.”
Southgate added that England had to keep “the relentless pressure going … and the intensity of our game now against the world champions”. Spoken like a true disciple of Captain Marvel.
WILD SCENES AS FOOTBALL GREAT ATTACKS FAN IN QATAR
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o apologised Tuesday for kneeing an Algeria supporter in the face but insisted he was the target of “relentless provocation” by the North African state’s supporters since a controversial World Cup qualifier this year.
The 41-year-old Cameroon federation president and ambassador for the Qatar World Cup flew into a rage after being approached as he left Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in Doha on Monday night.
A video widely shown on social media showed the four-time African player of the year breaking free from people seeking to restrain him and kneeing the face of a blogger named as Sadouni SM.
[VIDEO] Samuel Eto’o golpea peligrosamente a una persona al final del partido entre Brasil y Corea https://t.co/smWcShJBYEpic.twitter.com/aXacvIHIdM
— La Opinión (@LaOpinionLA) December 6, 2022
The man fell back after being struck but has not reported any serious injury. Eto’o released a statement in which he admitted being involved in a “violent altercation”.
“I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality,” said the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker.
Eto’o only addressed his apology to “the public” however and made no gesture to the fan.
Eto’o lashed out at Algeria’s supporters for their behaviour since Cameroon beat Algeria on away goals in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March.
Algeria later complained to FIFA about the referee and initially demanded a replay.
“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters,” Eto’o said.
“I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence,” he added.
He said Cameroon fans at the World Cup had also been “harassed and pestered” by Algerians.
“The scenario of Algeria’s defeat was cruel but perfectly in line with the rules and ethics of our sport,” Eto’o insisted.
All of Algeria’s appeals have been rejected and Eto'o’s said that Algerian authorities must now act to halt “this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragedy occurs.” The African football legend was surrounded as soon as he left the 974 Stadium where the round of 16 match was played.
Wearing a blue baseball cap, he is seen allowing selfies with some fans before he was approached by the Algerian.
Eto’o handed his mobile phone to a man before surging at the blogger to deliver the blow with his knee.
Sadouni SM said in a video posted online Tuesday that his camera and microphone had been “smashed” in the incident.
“He hit me,” the man adds, pointing to his chin.
“I did all that for Algeria,” Sadouni SM says in the video.
“I am at the police station now for the inquiry.
“This video must be shared. As Eto’o is a celebrity I am afraid they will cover up the inquiry, but I trust the Qatari police,” he added.
Qatar’s World Cup organising committee has not commented on the incident. Eto’o toured Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana in August to promote the World Cup.
The former international has a history of fiery outbursts, receiving a three-match ban in 2010 for headbutting an opponent while playing for Inter.
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