The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Friday, December 14

Hello, all!

I was thinking it might be fun to turn it to you all again. Shall we?

Ramble of the Day

I have a question, and very little introductory material to begin with: What are some stadiums that are on your bucket list to visit? Two things before I continue: I’ll be sticking to football/soccer, but you can choose any stadium you like; I’m working with the assumption that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is on everyone's list, so no reason to include it.

I’ve basically loved stadiums — and the idea of soaking up different atmospheres — since I became a football fan. I’ll list a few off the top of my head, but I’m basically up for visiting any stadium and watching football in basically any country and probably every stadium. I don’t care if it’s old or if it’s new, or if the stadium’s packed or not. I just want to sample it.

So, the list off the top of my head:

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

At the top of my list is the well-known stadium built into a quarry, Estádio Municipal de Braga. It’s obviously gorgeous and unique, making it worth the visit just for the look alone (and maybe worth a stadium tour, too). Bet taking in a match might be fun there, too.

Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

Estadio Azteca’s on my list mostly for the experience. Naturally, the U.S.-Mexico rivalry is a big part of my football/soccer education and understanding, and taking in not just that game, but any game at the Azteca sounds like an amazing experience. Plus, Mexico City is a very attractive destination (close to the top of my list of places I haven’t visited yet), and it would probably be one of the mandatory stops when I eventually make the trip.

Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Photo by Samuel Kubani/EuroFootball/Getty Images

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls

These are the three Red Bull Arenas — Leipzig, Germany at the top, Salzburg, Austria in the middle, and Harrison, New Jersey on the bottom. (Fun fact — that image is from a Tottenham open training session in 2012 that I went to. Me picking the picture is a matter of coincidence.) I include the American one out of obligation because I’ve been there a gazillion times, but I have this weird and ambitious plan to one day visit all three in a week. It just seems cool and fun, and I can’t explain the appeal beyond that, but it is a unique desire of mine. Maybe then I can discover which one is the best Red Bull Arena to settle the (non-existent) debate once and for all.

Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa via Getty Images

Last one for good measure is the stadium formerly known as Soccer City, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. (Note: I love the name Soccer City.) I took a look at a couple of “best stadium” lists to get some inspiration, and this one automatically stood out to me. Gorgeous on the outside and the inside, I don’t think I’ve actually seen a stadium like it in person. It probably won’t be the first I’ll see that essentially lights up on the outside, but it’s still not a bad one to have on the eventually list.

I’ll cap it there for today. Looks like it’s your turn now.

tl;dr: Some cool stadiums I’d like to visit.

Links of the Day

UEFA might open an investigation after Chelsea fans were heard chanting anti-semitic messages during the team’s Europa League match against MOL Vidi.

FA chairman Martin Glenn has resigned from his post and will leave at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Aston Villa has suspended youth coach Kevin MacDonald after he was accused of bullying by a former player.

Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths is taking a leave of absence to focus on personal issues.

Today’s longer read: Andrew Keh interviews Ada Hegerberg on newfound recognition and achievement and quitting the Norwegian national team for The New York Times