Ah, the euphoric release of celebrating a goal. No inhibitions. No boundaries. Just grab the nearest stranger and shake them with unnerving force. Take that bald man’s head in your hands and kiss it. Gurn and roar and swear and hold your fists to the sky in glory (or relief). As a longtime Arsenal season ticket holder I’ve lost count of how often I’ve nearly fallen down the row in front, propelled by swarming bodies and the melee of flailing arms – full “limbs” (the internet term). Let’s go fucking mental (the technical term). Embrace pure instinct.
Except, for some England fans it’s not. Even in a tournament where Qatar is literally paying fans to be there, is there anything more artificial this World Cup than the choreographed pint throwing across England’s fan zones? Yes, the pint throwing is back. What started during the 2018 World Cup with viral videos of fans in Hyde Park and Flat Iron Square has limped on to today. It’s not as widespread this time around – the winter? The vibe? The passage of time killing its momentum? – but there are still plenty of videos circulating of fans drenching each other with beer after every goal. Even the England team’s official Twitter account is tweeting them out.
