World Cup 2018; 10 important tips for LGBT Nigerians visiting Russia

[Calllaris]

 

 

Its very clear that Russia has an issue with discrimination and racism, especially if you are LGBTQI and/or of Asian or African descent. Russia is a country openly hostile to LGBTQI people. 

 Russia's several years of State sponsored homophobia have had grave effect on their general population. Since the controversial 2013 anti-gay law was passed, the number of recorded hate crimes has doubled. Polls also indicate a steadily growing intolerance of LGBTQI communities. 

Though homosexuality is legal in Russia, Russia has numerous anti- gay laws that makes Russia still a difficult and dangerous place for sexual minorities

While writing this piece, an LGBTQI Nigeria community - member clearly proffered her solution to the toxicity one is likely to expect from travelling to Russia for the world cup, by advising; "rather stay away from that country o".

 Good advice you say? It depends, because there are definitely some persons who are LGBTQI and Nigerian, who just has to be in Russia. If not to cheer the Super Eagles officially as fans, then for some other inevitable reasons. Its the world cup remember? Its a once - in - a - four - years - world - event! And its happening in the wake of 20 gay teen (2018) LGBTQI Pride! 

So?.. Do the math!

 

 Visiting Russia may already sound like a scary prospect for LGBTQI travellers, given the anti - gay environment  but there are still plenty of opportunities for a great experience. 

To stay safe, you just keep your wits about you and respect Russia’s laws. 

In spite of all these laws, Moscow and St Petersburg have very lively gay and lesbian scenes, in fact one of the liveliest in the world. So even as Russia isn’t LGBTQI friendly, if you’re discreet and vigilant you can still have a good time there. 

Take these steps to a successful gay visit through Russia.

 

1.FAN ID:

If you are a Nigerian going to Russia, I'm sure you already have your world cup FAN ID!

FAN ID gives you free access to games and can serve as your visa into Russia. Its valid 10 days before the world cup and 10 days after. You get your FAN ID while still in Nigeria. Registration is Online #Jumia travels, #wakanow, etc and FAN ID, is very easily delivered to you by DHL. You only have to get your FAN ID once, and use it for all the FIFA World Cup matches along with your varying tickets. 

With your FAN ID you also get free public transport on match days during the World Cup. 

Connect with other LGBT Nigerians who are going to the world cup and whose travel itinerary matches with yours, so you travel in packs. It's fun. There's a WhatsApp group

 

2..Staying discreet

While in Russia it’s advised that LGBTQI couples don’t show affection in public, or display pride flags or symbols. You should also be careful not to post any kind of material that “promotes” LGBTQI lifestyles on social media, and every other type of homosexual propaganda. Don't get into public or political discourse of LGBTQI issues.

Officially, there are no bans on rainbow flags or same-sex partners showing affection in the streets and stadium. But it is sure to trigger most homophobic Russians so while in public its best to 'un-gay'

 

3..Mingling and gay bars

If you must mingle with the LGBTQI crowd in Russia, your best bet is sticking to the more tolerant cities of Moscow and St Petersburg where there are thriving gay scenes. Elsewhere, gay scenes tend to be underground. "Moscow is one of the gayest city... You just need to know where to go."

 

4.Match day visits

We will be mostly interested in the matches on 16th, for Nigeria vs Croatia; in Kaliningrad , 22nd ; Nigeria vs Iceland, Volgograd city. And  Nigeria vs Argentina on the 26th, SPB city.

Note that Security at the stadiums will be tight including screening areas, bag searches, and detectors. There are also restrictions in place regarding what items are allowed into the stadiums, so avoid taking a bag as it will be taken from you until the game is finished. Its best to leave most of your stuff back in  your hotel 

Another, Give yourself plenty of time to get to the stadium so you don’t get trapped in the security queue and miss part of the game. 

5..Your Visa 

Some one asked me earlier  on here "if Russia is amongst the Schengen visa countries?" Answer is "No". 

Except you already have a Russian visa, I see no need for a visa, if the world cup is your major reason for going to Russia.  A FIFA FAN ID is best and cheaper.

 Also,  Russia doesn’t muck around when it comes to visas, so it’s important you have a valid visa and passport organized before you travel. 

Upon arrival into Russia, you'll receive an electronic migration card, it’s important to keep this with your passport as you will need it to exit Russia. You'll also need to REGISTER within 24 hours each time you move to a new city within Russia.

Most hotels and guest houses will do this for their guests (much ado Russia)

Then, Make sure to move around with your passport always within the city as police will conduct random checks. A photocopy will not be accepted and penalties apply if you don’t comply

 

6..Money

Its best to change your money into roubles before departure to Russia. If you must buy the currency in Russia, don't buy from the streets, its illegal to change money from the street vendors.

Rouble is the local currency in Russia, so if you plan to use cash, you'll have to become good friends with it. It's illegal to pay for general transactions in Russia using any other cash but the Rouble.

If you plan to withdraw money from an ATM, it’s best to do it during the day at a bank. Plus, if you're paying by card, always keep your card safe. Master cards are more internationally versatile, against visa cards.

 

7..Crowdy Streets and  crimes

Where there are crowds, there are often petty criminals. Russia has its share of pickpockets and scammers especially in these coming weeks; keep your valuables close to you at all times and be aware of your surroundings especially in crowds and while on public transport.

Also be wary of authorities asking to see your papers or ID. There are crooks who'll pose as the police in an attempt to extort money from you while holding your items to ransom. Always ask for identification before handing over anything.

 

8. Stay Healthy 

While there are no required vaccinations for Russia, it’s worth being up to date with the routine ones.

Russia has increasing rates of HIV/AIDS, and there is also a chance one may contact Hepatitis B or other diseases.

It’s also not the best idea to let your love of football run skin deep by getting a new tattoo or sleeping (unchecked) with that new Russian girl you met at a local bar after a game. *wink

Weather;

Russia’s weather can be varied and unpredictable. One city can be  sun kissed  and another can experience four seasons in one day. Pack clothing for all seasons.

 

9. Nightlife Safety

The World Cup will definitely have a party atmosphere especially at night..Make good use of the fan zones, restaurants, bars and clubs across the 11 event cities in Russia, its a sure place to let your hair down and maybe make some new friends along the way.

 Ensure to enjoy your night out responsibly and safely by avoiding intoxication, being aware of potential drink spiking and avoiding unlabelled bootleg vodka's

Disturbing public order and public intoxication are offenses in Russia which can see you fined, jailed or deported.

 

10. Avoiding Football Fan Violence

Football is a passionate game and has passionate fans, which sometimes results in incidents of violence and hooliganism.

Even though In the lead up to this World Cup, Russian authorities made it public that they have visited known football hooligans and threatened them with jail time, it important to always listen to security announcements and be aware of the potential for violence to break out.

For Your safety and your pack's; in case of a breakout, get away from the location if possible or, if you are stuck in a crowd, go with the flow.

 

So? 

Russia will try to play the role of a good host to its visitors in the world cup, but we are very certain that the consequences of the long-term state sponsored homophobia is sure to crack their surfaces. The government has never been an enthusiastic defender of LGBTQI rights. Russia remains a difficult and dangerous place for sexual minorities.

Our advice is that you protect yourself, monitor the situation closely as you keep up - to - date with news and travel alerts.

You are sure to enjoy yourself at the World Cup.

 

 Ciao

 

[Calllaris]

 

OK. Iran arrived Russia first but the Super Eagles are here too. #Yesterday

[Calllaris]

Moscow

 

One of Russia's old technology. An electric bus. We aren't comparing anything old or new and electric or no electric.

#morevantagepoints

 

[Calllaris]

 

..Nigeria's Nike-designed kit was voted the best of the World Cup in several polls, including UK broadcaster Sky.

International men's magazine GQ also voted the Super Eagles strip top the best of all the 32 teams in Russia.

The highly-sought after kit received three million pre-orders before it's release, according to Nigerian Football Federation.

Nigerian swagger

Design director Peter Hopkins told Fader magazine that the Nigerian team's confidence inspired him in his designs for the kit which has a bold neon green pattern that echoes the pattern of eagle wing feathers.

He said: "There's a confidence in all these young players, they're going to go for it and we were attracted to that."..

 

 

 

 

[Calllaris]

Nigeria fans have been banned from taking their ‘lucky’ live chickens into the ground for their team’s opening Group D game with Croatia on Saturday.

Usually, at international football tournaments, some official supporters of the Super Eagles believe taking live chickens to games brings the team luck.

However, the Russian government has banned the practice when Nigeria play in Kaliningrad at today.

The today game comes up at 8p.m.

You' d love to see the Nigeria - Croatia Fan Fest

 

-C

 

[Calllaris]

Croats and Nigerian getting on

[Calllaris]

[Calllaris]

Argentina vs Iceland,1 - 1. We are interested because we are meeting Iceland next. Truly the group of Death.

[Calllaris]

Not loosing hope! It happened against us @33 mins. But This is what I see! 

#hope

[Calllaris]

Nigeria vs Iceland

22 - 6 -15, 4 pm Nigerian time

Iceland

Iceland is a small nation, very small, it actually has a population of slightly over *300,000 people* , fewer than any country in Africa .

Last week, it forced a draw against Argentina, with Lionel Messi hitting 11 shots (including a penalty) but not getting a goal.

What is more interesting is that five  of the players in the squad are Medical doctors. Actually everyone in the team has another professional job they do, the goalkeeper is a renowned  Movie Director and others are in different professions.

Even the Coach when he is off the field is a practising Dentist .

We romance with them tomorrow and we hope to win. Nigeria known to mostly win their second world cup matches.

#certain

[Mimy]

Damn what a team. It's not surprising though. Like Iceland rank among top 10 most Atheist Countries.

 

Nigeria better whop their godless asses 😂😂

[Calllaris]

 

Argentina Vs Nigeria:

Preview

 

 

Nigeria and Argentina  meets today in their last group D match.

More than once, both teams have been grouped together at the FIFA World Cup which makes them controversial rivals. 

At most of these pairings, team Argentina got victory over Nigeria but in their last meeting which was a friendly match in Nov 2017, Argentina faced defeat from Nigeria by a 4 – 2 score line.

(Don't bother predicting their upcoming battle, it’s at 7pm today, 26th June 2018)

Venue is Krestovsky Stadium, Saint-Petersburg, aka Zenit Arena (home venue of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg), field surface is grass.

Nigeria is known to always play very strong against Argentina so we expect a wonderful play from the Super Eagles today. On the other hand, considering the recent performances from Argentina, they surprisingly showing 'no good';  they lost their last match to Croatia 0 - 3 and drew the match before last @ 1 - 1.Yet it is worthy to note that Argentina still has world class player potentials in a squad led by Lionel Messi.

World Cup 2018 is the last World Cup outing of L. Messi, he is considered desperate to win it. Some of his fellow Argentine comrade in the team include Di Maria, Aguero, Dybala and Higuain .

In the eight most recent meets between the two teams, Nigeria has won Argentina twice, while Argentina won Nigeria five times . They drew their game once.

 

The match between them today is  the 39th match of this tournament

 

[Calllaris]

 

Why group D's qualification is interesting is because the race for second position is complicated.

Apart from Croatia which is the only team  already through to the next round of games (Croatia have already qualified and would need a remarkable collapse to finish anywhere but top), all of the other three nations can still advance. Depends on tonights game

Argentina MUST have to beat Nigeria in today's crucial final game, but their progress will still depend upon Iceland vs Croatia.

Nigeria will definitely qualify if they beat Argentina; if they draw, they will still go through provided Iceland does not beat Croatia, or win by more than a two-goal margin.

Iceland currently have a better goal difference than Argentina, so if they defeat Croatia tonight, and the win is better than Argentina’s they will qualify.

If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them. A draw is no good to either of them.

Its a grid lock tonight!

*In the World Cup group stage teams’ tiebreakers are decided on goal difference not head-to-head like the Euros.

#Nigeria

#weareheretocertifyourplace

#fortheloveoffootball

#live 

 

.

[Calllaris]

Very gallant game tonight..

And.. The pope is Argentine

 

[Calllaris]

[Calllaris]

[Calllaris]

[Calllaris]

[Calllaris]

 

Original: https://streamable.com/10q5n

[Calllaris]

So, its the Quarter finals!

- Uruguay v France @3pm today in
 Nizhny Novgorod 

- Brazil v Belgium @ 7pm today in Kazan

Same time tomorrow;

- Sweden meets England at Samara, 3pm while

- Russia dallies with Croatia, @ Sochi by 7pm

 

                     **

We all followed the surprises from the knock out to this road?, where last Saturday, Nigerians got their pay back on Lionel Messi's team as France knocked out Argentina 4-3. And Messi wept! 

For Most Nigerians, that
 was the moment they lived for.
Uruguay did similar to Portugal; 2 - 1, same day.

Russia went ahead to knock out Spain, by penalty kicks; 4 - 3,on Sunday after a 1-1 fulltime draw. And nearly declared a national holiday the next day,  judging by the joyful celebrations of booze that overtook Putin's country and its country women - mostly. Or let's just say most people took a holiday by themselves because they were 'booze hung' and their employers didn't bother to penalize them. Enough on the penalties from yesterday, I guess.

 

Croatia, who was Nigeria's first pair up at the group stages; an team who has won all its matches in this tournament narrowly escaped  Denmark by a 3-2 penalty win, after an initial 1-1 draw.

Brazil out-rightly won their fellow
South Americans and neighbours, 
Mexico by 2-0, not without the now known Neymar's action-roll -stunt.

Same vein; Monday July 2 saw
 Belgium send the last Asian country of the tournament, Japan home by 3-2. (Tokunbo won Original there, according to Naija"s)

Sweden then oust Switzerland in a tough duel that ended 1-0. As England got lucky again at the contest with Colombia as they won 4-3 by penalty kicks after a 1-1 fulltime draw and a tougher extra time. All four teams played on Tuesday before a two day break that ushers in the quarter finals today.

All 8 countries left in this torment, has more than one thing in common. Apart from being seen as the best eight in the world currently,  all 8 countries has a total of either 6 or 7 alphabets in their name spellings. 

Funny? Or is that a sign for gamblers and permutations? Match fix theorists may need to come in here ...while we watch to find out the last 4 today and subsequently, the winner!, come 15th July.

 

              **

 If you can guess the last four at this stage with a #1000 you could win over a #100k. Nice deal? Speed it up, Game kicks off @ 3 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Chrmd]

I am Definitely supporting France. So far, so good, I just hope they won't disappoint 🙏

[Calllaris]

 

France held on, Belgium too. England held on and Croatia too!

I put my foot down at an exact 2-2 draw between Russia and Croatia! Yes, I'm surprised at the accuracy too.

[Calllaris]

🇷🇺🇷🇺Rossiya!

The Russians bowed out last night with their heads held very high, held very very high.

Even though it was a night of horrible penalty kicks, I've never seen a team play with much heart and motivation like these have done in this tournament and especially, last night.

I can't even  remember the last time I saw an equalizer in extra time at the World Cup. 

Russia finished #90 mins on a 1- 1 draw with Croatia, then went on for an additional 30 mins extra time that finished up 2-2, before the penalty shoot outs that ended against them on a score line of 4 - 3, Ensuring that Croatia moves on to the semi finals, joining England, France and Belgium.

Wonderful hosts, Russia has truly been and exceptional fans they have. They have the fans!

When it was clear they'd lost out already, Russian fans switched the chant - its no more Rossiya! Rossiya!!. It's now Spa-ssi- bba! Spa-ssi-bba!! -- an amazing gratitude from a people to their team for an amazing journey.

Only fair to thank Rossiya! for being amazing, host and all. You surprised all.

 

 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[Calllaris]

 

History was made last night. Croatia is into the World Cup final for the first time! They will play France in the finals on Sunday; the 15th of July 2018.

                          *

Last night at Luzhniki Stadium, the Croats shattered England's heart as they squared up the 'Three Lions nation' in a match that ended 2-1. 

Even though England had an early goal at 5 minutes, the  younger nation managed to equalise at 69 minutes, and upturned the game against a second-half-wobbly English team. 

England had gotten off to a flying start, dominating the game in the early parts of the first half but failed to take full advantage of their early lead.

Croatia equalised scores at 69 minutes. From then on, it was  a different game altogether, with Croatia suddenly playing with accuracy and purpose as England lost their shape and composure.

At 90 mins, it was a 1-1 draw still. That meant both teams had to play on extra time, making it the third successive game for Croatia to end in extra time...

The first 15 mins of extra time was a level for both teams still. And when we were almost sure Croatia will break the record to become the only team in a world cup to finish their games thrice by penalty shoot outs, Manzukic struck the winning goal at exactly 109 mins!

The Croats maintained this win to a gallant finish!

 Croatia is a Balkan country situate in Eastern Europe and borders with Hungary, Italy and about five other countries.

Agriculture and tourism is a significant source of revenue for the country as Croatia ranks amongst the top 20 most popular tourist destinations in the world.

                          *

Croatia has won all their matches in this tournament.

 

[Calllaris]

Croatia has one grand fan at the World Cup. She also happens too be the country’s president; Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, 

Kolinda Grabar- Kitarovic has stopped at nothing to support the team. Since July 1, she has been in Russia, supporting 'her boys'.

She was with them when they played and won Denmark, she was also there when they won Russia and England.

I want to see her at the stands tomorrow.

Popular for flying economy class to come support the team, and for spontaneously doing a sexy (I find it) jiggy-jiggy dance whenever they score, she is also fond of going back to the player's dressing room to hug and 'victory-chant' with them after a win - since the quarter finals stage. 

You' d surely find her sitting amongst the crowd and taking selfies, instead of watching the game from the VIP parlour reserved for world leaders.

  Prior to each game, Kolinda has also adopted this tradition of giving out a special jersey to her counterparts before both countries meet to play on the pitch. She had given one to Russia's Puttin and another to Theresa May of England. 

Although Kolinda Grabar has won most hearts for her beauty, humility and genuine love for the game of football, most people have tagged these jerseys - she hands out to her fellow country leaders as -  bad luck, since she ends up winning the game after all...I wonder if Macron of France will accept the jersey from her before tomorrow's game?

Elected Croatia's fourth president in January 2015. Kolinda Grabar K  is the first woman to ever hold the title of president for the country.

With a  very robust and admirable  resume, the 50-year-old President is multi lingual, speaking up to eight intenational languages -  evidently a scholar!

Amongst many international offices priorly held, Kolinda has been  a  NATO assistant secretary general, an ex - Croatian ambassador, a Harvard graduate and currently a doctoral student.  

No, she's not a lesbian, she's married to  Jakob Kitarovic since 1996 and the couple has two child children

Now why won't the boys play out their heart and for such warmness?