#overdebar

As the guys watch France torture Argentina, I'm watching them (the guys) too.

The France supporters:
They sit easy, concentrate, occasionally chat and throw jibes at each other with one eye on the screen. This is the normal state of affairs for most of the game.
When the goals begin to happen, they stand up, their eyes open wide, and when the ball shakes the back of the net, they yell and punch the air. Then they settle back and discuss that goal. When Argentina's tatooed Di Maria strikes the back of the net, they are still easy.
Half time happens, no sweat. C'mon there's still a second half. "Ole! Ole! Le Bleus all the way!"
Second half and Argentine Mercado leads the way. Hmmm...
Then things take a sudden twist - three swift goals from Pavard and Mbappe. Mbappe shoots another. This is promising, very promising, and France supporters go into a frenzy jumping up and hugging each other. And when they sit down again, they let their arms carelessly swing over the chair arm-rest as they analyse this sweetness.
One supporter has ascended into speaking in tongues but it sounds like, "Katonda wa'wa?! Yala yala!" Another person suggests a headline for tomorrow- "Messi Messed", and they all laugh.
Camaraderie all around.
Aguerro scores in the 90th minute but there's no cause for abnormal heartbeats.

The Argentina supporters:
At the beginning of the match, they are talking animatedly, having friendly arguments, patting each other on the back, and reeling off the names of the players like multiplication tables. As the minutes tick by and France takes the penalty, they lean forward and grip the edges of the chair. When the first goal happens, they do not join in the celebration. Instead their hands go up to their heads in evident worry. Anxiety. Then the second goal of the match - Di-Mario's - happens and their faces light up. Hope still holds...
With Mercado things are looking up and they are thinking, "Wow! We're sure as hell taking this!"
Then--- in an instant, the sky begins to darken. France must have put something into their half-time drinks! Parvard, Mbappe. Then this boy Mbappe again! Some Argentina supporters cannot take this and abandon their seats to the back of the room.
Things are looking really ugly. The ones who stay are smiling but not really smiling. How can it be 4-2? This is PRESSURE!
Aguerro shows up in the dying minutes, in attempt to restore hope. Now all they're looking for is an equaliser.

The Sports Betters:
These, by far, are the most interesting to observe. At the looks on their faces and their body language.
Of course they have placed money on Argentina, whether they support the Albicelestes or not. They betted on Messi saving their day. They could have staked their rent money for all we know.
When the first France goal happens, a light sweat greases their brow. But they still hang on. All is not lost.
They keep checking their phones, switching on and off. And when Di Maria strikes the perfect goal, still they do not shout, but the uncomfortable shifting in their seats cannot be missed.
When the break happens a few minutes later, they do not hang around the other supporters. Instead, they find something else to do - like going to the toilet. Because it is better than listening to people bleating sh** about 20 people chasing a ball round and round a green field.
Even when the second half starts, they are nowhere to be seen.
About ten minutes later, they slink back in and settle down quietly. Mbappe does a first, and then a second strike. One says in a quiet frustrated voice to an Argentine player, "You kick properly! Ah!"
It's easy to see the betters' breathing has gone ragged, their faces strained, as they occasionally whisper to each other.
Suddenly there's a crazy final attempt from Aguerro. Someone leaps from his chair, knocking it over in his stress.

Ohshshshsh!!!! The ball goes "ova de bar"!
It's money down the drain!