4 minute read
Last Sunday, Antwerpen struck hard by winning the Belgium Cup. Our new national champion didn’t let its supporters down, and the dazzling post-game celebrations reminded us that football keeps unleashing the passion of men through the country and through the world. Why? That’s the question we asked ourselves. And here’s the answer, plus a big surprise.
Over the last few weeks, you probably weren’t able to see much more on Belgian TV screens than a black and white ball rolling from left to right… That’s because the national championship finally spat its last result last Sunday, while a few days before, Sevilla beat AS Roma during an unbearable session of penalties shootout for the UEFA’s Champion League. And last but not least, to give a proper end to this football season, Manchester City and Inter di Milano will have their final face-off this Saturday June 10.
Because this special occasion happens to happen on Father’s Day weekend, we thought we’d make a men’s party out of it at VIAGE! So here it goes: we’re officially inviting all men to come witness football history in the making on our big screen, in our casino.
Pump up the testosterone
Are we saying this is a men-only event? Of course not. VIAGE will never not unroll the red carpet for you ladies. What we’re saying is that men’s shared passion for football, combined with Father's Day, suggested to direct this event at our male audience. Also, it’s hard to ignore the fact that a good fraction of men love football, and that for many of them, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of sharing a friendly moment with other pals, watching a match. Supporting the same team definitely creates a special bond and makes everything else vanish for about 90 minutes. Research actually shows that the testosterone levels of football fans spike during a football game!
Which probably also explains the range of emotions you can observe on a man’s face while he’s staring at the screen: screaming, roaring, howling and, when all goes too well or too wrong, crying are all at play while the ball’s rolling. Levels of stress spiking are also pretty much unavoidable. And that’s where the difference between men and women shows. Women have no trouble watching football while keeping their stress and testosterone levels on check. At the end of the day, give them that or a series…! This shows as well that football is perceived much differently by men and women…except when they’re playing the field!
Pass the ball to the ladies, please
As you know, football requires stamina. A lot of it too. Otherwise, you can be sure there would be no running from one end of the field to another for twice 45 minutes in a row. All that, without forgetting about the goal: scoring a goal! Not to forget all technical and tactical aspects at play, plus the necessary teamwork. All these conditions united make a difference between defeat and victory. And if the above-mentioned qualities might have rung a feminine bell to you, sadly enough, female football is just getting started. Except in the USA, where it is way ahead male football.
Luckily, women are gaining ground in the football world, on the field as well as in the media. They’re dragging attention and are finally getting rewarded for their hard work and amazing skills. In 2018, French magazine France Football awarded for the very first time its female Ballon d’Or, a European prize rewarding the best female football player of the European championship. And even if the FIFA did not organise the first world female football championship until 1991 (1928 for men), the female competition has slowly but surely become a must.
In other words, football is made by everyone and is for everyone! We are thus inviting you to share this cheerful event with whomever you please this Saturday June 10 at VIAGE where we will broadcast the UEFA Champion’s League final. Our big screen will definitely make a difference, but you’ll also be able to nibble on the best finger food while dealing with the unbearable suspense AND you’re also kindly invited to enjoy our games and our cocktails! May the best man win!
