World Cup diary
Sports show reporter Marcus Bark reports in the World Cup diary about the football World Cup in Qatar, his impressions and encounters.
“Avicii, Avicii, what are you doing in Oman?” These are the first lines of a Thees Uhlmann song. In it, the German musician and writer pays tribute to the Swedish electro DJ Avicii, who was found dead in a hotel in Muscat in 2018 at the age of 28.
“Why Oman?” That is also the question in row 32 of the flight from Frankfurt to Muscat. It’s her turn. 33. Tour group from Ingolstadt, two weeks in Oman. Desert, turtles, wadis, Muscat with its castles and narrow streets that smell so wonderful. However, those who used to collapse in the church because they couldn’t stand the smell of incense should avoid the streets.
Muscat – castles, narrow streets, great smells.
A hitherto alien world
Almost five days Oman. Neither desert nor turtles, but Muscat. A hitherto strange world that still leaves many questions unanswered. For example, whether it’s just a programming error or standard, that the hotel elevator always went first, as the last person on board wanted. Is that fair? Asks the German brain, which in Germany gives the order to start running when a new checkout is opened in the supermarket.
The salad bar in the supermarket in one of these malls, which is larger than some German villages, is great. More taste, more spice, even in the plastic bowl. “It’s totally delicious there”, said the well-travelled buddy Schorsch. He’s right.
What about the big issues? Freedom of speech? women’s rights? minorities? Good question. There are a few indications that what many say is true: it is much better for women to live in Oman than in Saudi Arabia.
“Mr Hans”
In any case, the reporter will be remembered, who addressed national coach Flick as “Mr. Hans” and later left the ongoing press conference from the front row because she could no longer expect any translations, as the interpreter meant to her.
“Good luck for the World Cup”, wished it to Mr. Hans.
On to Doha, on to Qatar. Big issues, big stage, big outrage, big football. It will be exciting.
On Sunday it starts with Qatar against Ecuador. The Oman team will travel to the United Arab Emirates by bus. Another test match is coming up. Against Belarus.
Oman coach Branko Ivanković says: “For one thing, these problems didn’t exist when the game was arranged. Secondly, I’m employed here as a foreign coach and the federation management doesn’t see a problem in playing against Belarus.”