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Photo courtesy tcp909

If you’re an Ottawa soccer fan, today probably feels a bit like Christmas. After all, we’re only a few hours away from the kickoff to the 2010 World Cup, that extravaganza of athletic brilliance which arrives once every four years and poses trying questions that only the most stalwart and dedicated among us can answer. Will Italy defend its 2006 title, or shall another nation emerge victorious? Which countries will see their hopes dashed by an injury-time penalty kick or a disastrous own goal? Is a nuclear-endowed North Korea going to hold the world ransom for one miiiillllllllllllion dollars when if they bow out in the first round?

Admittedly, we might not have the necessary amount of dedication (or, um, stalwartness?) to come up with those answers ourselves. But if the question is instead “Where are the best Ottawa locales to catch the games over the next few weeks?”, well that, our corner kick-loving friends, is more up our alley.

It goes without saying that if there’s one true soccer mecca in the nation’s capital, it’s found on Preston Street, right in the heart of Little Italy. The last World Cup was particularly sweet for Ottawa’s Italian community, with the Azzurri prevailing in the final over France, and there’s no doubt that the fans – both passionate and knowledgeable about the sport they love -  will be out in droves this year. The booziest action (city bars are opening up one hour early for the duration of the tournament) can probably be found at Pub Italia and the Heart and Crown, while the Sala San Marco banquet hall (pictured above) is promising to not only host all of Italy’s matches but also those of dangerous rival Spain. There’s also the venerable Prescott, which has been around since 1934 – making it only four years younger than the cup itself. And if your loyalties are more Teutonic, less tortellini, the Lindenhof European Restaurant is showing the German squad’s games on their 52-inch screen.

There’s no doubt that many of the pubs and restaurants dotting the Byward Market will also be hopping over the next couple of weeks – if you don’t have any particular allegiances, you can’t go wrong just strolling along and picking a place that suits your fancy. Long-suffering England supporters (has it really been 44 years since England last hoisted the trophy?) could do worse, however, than heading down to the Earl of Sussex for a pint of bitter and a front-row seat for Wayne Rooney’s thundering strikes. Brazil fans who saw 2006 as an aberration and consider 2010 a chance to reclaim their rightful place as world champions will no doubt want to catch a few games at Mambo Nuevo Latino – which could well be a potential hotspot for aficionados of Mexico, Paraguay, and all Central and South American teams. Mambo’s owners also run Asian fusion restaurant Kinki, and they’ll be having a couple of screens on there as well, so if you feel like snacking on gyoza and edamame while cheering on Japan, there’s your place. And if you’re rooting for Les Bleus, grab a Blanche de Chambly and a spot at the bar – preferably right under the big screen television – at Chez Lucien.

Photo courtesy tcp909

Of course, this year’s tournament is particularly notable for its location: for the first time ever, it’s being held in Africa. No African squad has ever won the World Cup, but teams like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Ghana all look strong this year. Given its significant international student population, the University of Ottawa and its environs are decent bets for catching the best soccer the continent has to offer: the West African Student Association is taking over the Draft Pub on the 16th, the 18th, the 19th and the 22nd. They’re also hosting games at the University Center, and today’s big opening match – which sees Mexico take on the hosts, South Africa – is being shown underground at Cafe Alternatif.

Finally, a few random locations scattered throughout the city. The Georgetown Pub on Bank bills itself as Ottawa’s number one soccer pub (with TWO exclamation points), and they’re predicting a full house when either England or The Netherlands take to the pitch. Up the street is Connor’s Gaelic Pub, which to my knowledge boasts the most soccer scarves per capita of any Ottawa drinking establishment; if you’re looking to boo the dastardly Thierry Henry, trust me, you’ll fit in quite well. Sports fans whose culinary interests run more to the smoked-salmon-and-chevre-thin-crust-pizza side of the spectrum – as opposed to, say, jalapeno poppers – will certainly find The Wood on Wellington to their liking, as much for the food as for the 18-gazillion megawatt television screens.  Hooley’s Pub on Elgin is staking its claim as the city’s “World Cup Headquarters,” a bit of a bizarre claim given they’re writing off the live broadcasts of about half the games by not opening until 1pm (though no complaints about the $4.50 pints). The Elmdale Tavern in Hintonburg is a good spot to lay low with a cold beer and maybe play a game of pool or two at halftime, while Vina Del Mar across the street should be on your radar as much for the pastel de choclo as for the chance to catch the potentially-surprising Chilean squad in action.  And as an Ottawa resident I am, of course, contractually obligated to give props to the Royal Oak – they have locations on every block, so it’s not like you have to go far to watch the game.

Whew. Did we miss anything? Where are the Greek and Portugese fans hiding out? What’s World Cup ground zero for Serbia and the rest of eastern Europe? And is there anyone in Ottawa who’s bound by blood to root for tiny Slovenia? Leave us a comment; we’ll read them in mid-July once the hangover wears off.