First live game was so special
Ross was at the Japan v Poland match Almost two weeks after we crossed the border into Russia, and over 1000 miles south of where we came in, we were finally ready for our first match Japan against Poland.
With only two group stage matches remaining after our game at the stunningVolgograd Arena, we were all set for the highly anticipated game.
Destined to be the highlight of our trip, we headed down to the upgraded stadium in plenty of time so we could soak up the atmosphere.
With Japan aiming to be the only Asian side in the last 16, stakes were high and the crowd of over 40,000 were looking forward to a hotly contested match.
We arrived via the free shuttle service, and strolled around the spectacular stadium in the 40 degree heat, taking in the occasion.
After a quick bag check, we made our way into the concourse and picked up a quick beer before finding our seats.
The fans began flooding in and before long the arena was packed with fans from far and wide.
The game itself will go down as one of the tournament’s more forgettable fixtures, with Poland grabbing a second half goal and Japan all but stopping playing for the final 15 minutes, having heard that Colombia were leading Senegal in the group’s other fixture.
After the match, fans of both teams – and the thousands of locals who had bagged tickets to see the matches in their city – ambled along the banks of the River Volga towards the fan zone to watch Belgium defeat England in the late kick-off – another highlight.
The following morning, we made our way back to Moscow with another mammoth train journey and were treated to exceptional Russian hospitality.
Many feared the worst when it was announced that the World Cup would be played in a country with notable human rights issues, however fans from all corners of the world have heaped praise on Russian citizens for creating one of the most welcoming tournaments to date.
We arrived in the capital in time to see the hosts knock out 2010 winners Spain on penalties - and see the city go into meltdown. From the epic national anthem performance in Sparrow Hills, overlooking the Luzhniki Stadium, the 80,000 fans inside were joined by 25,000 just across the river in belting out their country’s verses.
And when Igor Akinfeev saved Spain’s final spot kick, we may as well have been in the stadium given the eruption of pure emotion.
Our second spell in Moscow was just a short one, as we left for Kazan just two days later.
Kazan proved more interesting and beautiful than the capital, and strolling down the glorious riverside is like nowhere else on Earth.
With just eight matches remaining, we’re heading to Yekaterinburg – on the edge of Siberia – to take in a final dose of Russian culture before our Fan IDs run out.