On Monday, Mario will start the World Cup at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London, better known as Ally Pally. He has never been there, but Mario is not bothered by pressure. “I think there are 10,000 supporters inside. The atmosphere alone cheers you up. If you have to do the walk-on, you have a bit of jitters. But once you’re on stage, you shut it down. Then I can do that close it and then I’ll play my game.”
The first opponent for Supermario is the Frenchman Tricole. If Vandenbogaerde makes it, the Englishman Rob Cross will be the next opponent.