Moscow Metro a sight to behold

A look at a wild first few days at the World Cup

MOSCOW The Russian Metro hasn’t changed for many decades.

I imagine it looks the same now as it did before the fall of the Soviet Union.

It’s an incredible submerged city that connects everything with underground shops, restaurants and mini malls.

It makes Toronto’s TTC look like a mere wormhole. Moscow’s Metro, comparatively, is like an ant farm beneath a city.

Its depth is unbelievable. Escalators help riders descend about 100 metres below the surface.

The combination of drunk soccer fans and giant chandeliers is a bizarre sight given every Metro station is akin to a ballroom.

Perhaps the best part of Moscow’s tubes is the subway cars are fitted with highspeed Wi-Fi — something Toronto still doesn’t have.

Remind me why?

The media centres at major tournaments offer a unique opportunity to brush shoulders with famous soccer players, many of whom have switched to punditry in retirement.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs sat steps away from me before this week’s World Cup opener.

Former French international Mikael Silvestre strolled behind my desk.

Whether in line for a coffee or in the restroom, eventually you find the opportunity to start a conversation.

Russians have a ton of faith in their animal trainers.

A live grizzly bear was driven through downtown Moscow following Russia’s win over Saudi Arabia.

The massive beast — named Tim — was holding and blowing a vuvuzela as spectators trained their phones in amazement.

I’ve seen enough YouTube clips of circus bears going rogue to know I’m not the least bit interested in seeing a grizzly roll by in an El Camino.

I experienced plenty of outrageous occurrences while covering Brazil 2014, but this was insane.

PREDICTIONS

France 3, Australia 1

The French arguably have the best lineup in the tournament. They’ll pass this opening test with ease. This is the weakest Aussie side we’ve seen at a World Cup.

Argentina 2, Iceland 1

Think the score will be closer than the match statistics. Argentina traditionally struggles to see off teams that are compact and can execute a defensive game plan.

Denmark 1, Peru 0

There’s plenty of unnecessary excitement surrounding a Peruvian side that isn’t that good. Denmark knows how to get results in these fixtures.

Croatia 0, Nigeria 0

Both sides will see the value in a point here and won’t want to give anything away. Expect a cagey occasion between two tournament dark horses.