As one protracted battle for glory and supremacy ends, another begins: The culmination of Ontario’s election campaign overlaps with the first game in the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil and Croatia go head-to-head at 4 p.m. Thursday, the same time polling stations would normally start to experience a rush of voters getting off work.
But this needn’t prevent fans of the joga bonito from exercising their franchise: The game will end around 6 p.m., leaving you a good three hours to get to the nearest polling station.
And if you enjoy a beer or tequila (or three) with your soccer, you’re still good: Polling stations have no breathalyzers, and as long as you’re keeping the peace (no brawling, please) you can vote even while slightly tanked. Just make sure to walk, cab or transit home, please.
Global News talked to some would-be voters and soccer aficionados about their plans.
Anthony Eiliazadeh, Richmond Hill
Will you vote?
I am not because I will be away.
Will you watch the game?
I don’t think I will. I’m just going to watch England Italy Saturday.
Who’s your team?
England.
Favourite Player?
Who do you hope will win the election?
I don’t know.
Who’s your local candidate?
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
I don’t know.
Diego Orellano, Trinity-Spadina
Will you vote?
Yes.
Will you watch the game?
No, I have to study. I have to write an essay.
Who’s your team?
No one…England.
Favourite player?
Ummmm, Messi.
Who do you hope will win the election?
Liberals.
Who’s your local candidate?
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
Kathleen Wynne. She seems like a very uh, sporty woman.
Laura Heintzman, Toronto Centre
Will you vote?
Yes.
Will you watch the game?
Hmmmmm, I hope so, yeah.
Who’s your team?
England.
Favourite player?
Messi.
Who do you hope will win the election?
Liberals.
Who’s your local candidate?
Nasi Blanc.
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
Kathleen Wynne. She looks the most fit, I don’t know. Out of those four, I’d say she looks the most fit.
Don Labreche, Sudbury
Will you vote?
Yes. I already did, advanced.
Will you watch the game?
No.
Who’s your team?
I do not have a favourite team in the World Cup, so I’ll always choose the underdog.
Favourite player?
I don’t have one, I really don’t. No.
Who do you hope will win the election?
Tim Hudak.
Who’s your local candidate?
Her name is Paula Peroni.
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
Probably Kathleen. I think she’s tougher than the other two candidates, and I think that she has more resilience than the other two candidates.
Stuart Kelly, Toronto Centre
Will you vote?
I haven’t, but I will.
Will you watch the game?
No.
Who’s your team?
I don’t have one.
Favourite player?
Not sure.
Who do you hope will win the election?
NDP
Who’s your local candidate?
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
Liberal candidate, what’s her name … Kathleen Wynne. She looks mean. She looks like she’s in the best shape. She’s thin, she looks like she could run.
Tina Vujcic, riding unknown
Will you vote?
Not yet, but I might. I just don’t want to vote for something I don’t know much about. I’m studying science so that’s usually my focus.
Will you watch the game?
Yes.
Who’s your team?
Croatia. It’s a big tradition and there’s a lot of pride for many countries.
Favourite player?
Luka Dobricic
Who do you hope will win the election?
Don’t know.
Who’s your local candidate?
Don’t know.
Which party leader would be the best soccer player?
Not sure.
With files from James Armstrong
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