London Was an Absolute Trip for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are back in the United States after traveling across the pond to beat the New York Jets. Having made the same journey, the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur stadium was beyond electric, and the move to 5-0 made it much more worthwhile.
London Was an Absolute Trip for the Vikings
After exploring London for a couple of days leading up to the contest, it was time to hop on The Tube and, eventually, an above-ground train, headed out to the stadium. Typically, Tottenham Hotspur football games don’t allow fans the opportunity to consume alcoholic beverages in their seats. This was a special occasion with the National Football League in town. Pregame tailgates didn’t exist traditionally, but a State Fair-like atmosphere buzzed around the stadium.
On the streets adjacent to the playing surface, English pubs were full of Minnesota Vikings fans (and the very few Jets fans who showed up). Multiple food trucks set up in parking lots offered takeaway food in a carnival-type setup. It was truly an amazing atmosphere. I popped into a Tottenham-supporting pub and grabbed a couple of pints. The setup also included multiple Xbox stations that kept kids busy, and I took the opportunity to knock off a Jets fan in a game of FIFA 24.
Upon entering the stadium, it was impressive just how much the Minnesota Vikings were made out to be the home team. Cheerleaders adorned the sidelines, and the actual entrance video from U.S. Bank Stadium was played prior to kickoff. Singing the National Anthem in England was cool, and the American Flag was presented on the field alongside the Flag of England.
Of course, you know how the contest went at this point. Aaron Rodgers was bested by a Minnesota defense that Brian Flores has been clicking on all cylinders. It was certainly not Sam Darnold’s best day, and losing Aaron Jones didn’t help matters. That said, the team got the job done and buckled down to keep their record of perfection. It sent Rodgers home a loser and cost head coach Robert Saleh his job. On the field, Minnesota again proved to be a force.
The trip was a great way to experience England (and France for a couple of days) with a pivotal football game mixed in. The Vikings improved to 4-0 in England and could be a candidate to play in Germany or elsewhere in the years ahead. While it’s not exactly the most economical way to see a football contest, it might be among the best reasons to travel abroad for a Vikings fan looking to do so.
The bye week provides an opportunity to rest up, and Minnesota will eye 6-0 next weekend against the Detroit Lions.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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