TIM VYNER WORLD CUP DRAW

NO 28 MOSCOW

Iarrived in Moscow on a fully booked overnight train from Samara. The grey skies were a break from the high temperatures of the Volga.

I went straight to the Hotel Metropol opposite the Bolshoi Ballet. It is a masterpiece of art nouveau built in 1907 and represents a fine example of Moscow’s decadence; you can have caviar for breakfast under a stained-glass ceiling.

So, it was a good choice for the Football Association to base itself in a fourthfloor room to distribute match tickets to Travel Club members. The Hotel Metropol is probably not used to seeing England fans in its lobby – there was a steady stream of supporters turning up to pick up their golden tickets.

It feels like there are more English fans than at any time in the tournament. No one wants this journey to end.