Fénix Czech beer is a cheap Belgian-style beer

I just came back from the Czech Republic and drank several glasses of a new "Belgian-style" white beer called "Fénix".

The beer came served with a orange wedge. The aroma is really zesty orange,  yeasty ans smelling of doughy grains. Somewhat artificial, but quite fresh. Clouded murky orange with a big creamy white head that fades. Flavour is sweet orange, sickly, wheaty doughy bread cereal and some sweetener. Palate is creamy and doughy but finishes out dry. 

It is brewed in Plzen for the Dutch company Grolsche Bierbrouwerij. And I think it is a blatant attempt at creating a copy-cat for Hoegaarden (by using the symbol of the Phoenix which is traditionally owned by Grimbergen.

What is Power Yoga?

Power Yoga is essentially yoga with a twist.

Take ashtanga yoga as a start: a discipline that combines stretching, strength training, and meditative breathing. And then add some extra special poses (also known as postures or their Sanskrit name, asanas) which are rooted in calisthenics. This means push-ups and handstands, toe touches and side bends.

There is one more big difference between Ashtanga yoga and Power yoga: the pace and rhythm. Instead of pausing between poses as you would in traditional yoga, each move flows into the next, making it an intense aerobic workout. This explains why you will sweat a lot and build your muscles.

World Cup 2014: Germany versus Argentina

Tonight Germany and Argentina will decide who can call themselves World Football Champion for the next four years. Both football powerhouses are obviously not meeting for the first time against each other in a final. But what makes this game so special?

1. Never before in history have two countries played three times against each other in the final of the World Cup. In the mutual matches, Argentina has the upper hand for the time being. Argentina won nine times, the Germans six times. The other 5 games ended in a draw.

2. Germany and Argentina play each other for the seventh time World Cup. Only one other encounter does the same: Brazil versus Sweden.

3. If Argentina wins they get as many stars as Germany: three. But Germany has played more finals (eight, compared to five for Argentina). If Germany wins,they have four stars (just like Italy). The best team is still Brazil with 5 World Cups on their shelves.

4. Tonight the best offensive team (Germany) meets the best defensive team (Argentina). Both teams have the best statistics regarding completed passes.

5. Germany has never won a World Cup final outside Europe (1954: Bern, Switzerland - 1974: Munich, Germany - 1990: Rome, Italy). If Germany wins, they will be the first European nation to win a World Championship on the American continent. Argentina won both their two world titles in the Americas: (1986, Mexico City, Mexico - 1978: Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Why Belgian have a chance against Argentina in the World Cup

Tomorrow the Belgian football team will take on Argentina. If we believe the bookies, then Belgium stands no change of beating the Albicelestes.

Unibet, William Hill, Bwin and Come On all give odds of 2.10 or 2.20 for Argentina, against a measly 3.60 or 3.70 for Belgium.

But here at BeTraveller we believe that the Belgians have a good chance of beating the Argentinians. Why? Because of the individual strengths of the Red Devils who fight like a real team.

Argentina feels more like a one-man show (Messi) with maybe one or two other key players (Di Maria and Agüero), whereas the Belgians may have some talented players, but they work in as a team. At the same time, they have the ability to score from all positions (All 6 Belgian goals have been scored by 5 different players) without sacrificing their defensive powers.

If we look at the history, the scales are in balance. Belgium beat Argentina at the World Cup 1982, and Argentina took revenge four years later in the semi-finals.

Our prediction: Argentina 1 - Belgium 2.

What do you think?

The reason why Belgium beat the USA

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, tiny Belgium (13,000,000 inhabitants) beat the United States of America (320,000,000 inhabitants) 2-1.

How is it possible that such a great nation like the USA lost against a country that many Americans have maybe never heard of (unless they talk about Belgian Waffles, Tintin and Chocolate/Beer).

Well, if we look at the FIFA statistiscs here below, it is clear why Belgium won. To win, you need to score more goals than the opposing team. And to score more goals, you need to shoot on target. Well, that is exactly what the Belgians did, and the USA failed to do.

Belgium delivered 27 balls on target (of which superhero Tim Howard stopped 25) whereas the USA only had 9 shots on target, never really threatening Thibaut Courtois.

Suarez bites his way past Italy

 

Italy have lost the all-or-nothing game against Uruguay because of a late strike by Godin's shoulder.

And of course Luis Suarez gave a demonstration why his teeth are the best in the business

Belgium versus Russia - Brazil World Cup 2014

Belgium won their first game against Algeria with 2-1, but it was a hard-fought victory. With 10 Algerians behind the ball and a solid concrete wall it can be quite difficult (just look at the Japan-Greece game last night).

But the first 3 points are in the bank for the young Red Devils and they are confident to take on Russia.

Russia did not show a lot of promise during their 1-1 draw against South Korea, and they will have to play much better if they expect to beat the Belgians. And Belgium only need to step up the pace, and test the Russian goal keeper who looked a bit insecure at times.

My prediction: Belgian will win the game with 2-1, and Lukaku and Fellaini will score. Maybe Vertongen will give away another penalty, because he likes to create a bit of tension.

And you? What do you think? Are you Flemish and don't you like to "sell the skin of the bear before it is shot" (LOL) or are you also sure of a Belgian victory?

Why Did Spain Choose White on Friday 13th?

The Spanish soccer team has never been very successful when they play in anything else than red. So why oh why did they choose to abandon their traditional red football outfit on Friday 13th, with disastrous consequences (losing 1-5 to the Dutch).

Well, there is an explanation, but it isn't an easy one.

Let's start with the beginning:

1) Spain were considerd the "home" team and therefore could choose the colour of their outfit. Spain chose RED.

2) FIFA rules that RED was too much of a conflict (read: not enough contrast) with the traditional ORANGE worn by the Dutch, so the Dutch were made to change to BLUE (their second colour).

3) However, FIFA again ruled that RED versus BLUE was not good, because for television viewers two dark colours are not the best (especially in some countries where there are still black & white TV sets)

4) FIFA made Spain choose a light colour...and they chose WHITE.

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Spain vs Netherlands

What a clash do we have in store for you on Friday June 13. The finalists of the 2010 World Cup will meet again, this time in one of the "Groups of Death" as they are called in Holland.

But honestly, I expect it to be a hard, boring and tedious game, where nobody wants to lose since that might already be enough for a ticket home.

Expect a draw, maybe even a goalless draw, and a couple of yellow cards.

Our predictions: Spain 0 - Netherlands 0

And you? Who do you see triumphant?

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Mexico - Cameroon

On Friday June 13 we will see a very interesting duel between North America (Mexico) and Africa (Cameroon).

Both teams have a reasonable defense but not a very good offense.

Key player for Mexico will probably be Giovani Dos Santos and Cameroon's hopes lie with Samuel Eto'o.

Our predictions: Mexico 0 - Cameroon 0

But what do you think?

Fifa World Cup: Brazil versus Croatia

The opening match at the 2014 Fifa World Cup will be a clash between organizing country Brazil and European Croatia.

Our prediction: Brazil 2 - Croatia 1

Worldcup 2014: Group A

On June 12, 2014, Brazil and Croatia will kick off the opening game of the 2014 Brazil World Cup in the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo (BRA).

Both teams are in Group A (together with Mexico and Cameroon). And to be honest, nobody expects Brazil to fail at the first hurdle.

Let's have a closer look at the different teams:

- Brazil are clearly favourites to top this team. They have the reputation, the experience, the bookmaker's backing, the home crowd and practically history behind them.
They also have a very large selection, some healthy competition for certain places and they are extremely gifted in the technical department.
The only worries are in goal and the central attacking position.
Player to watch: Neymar

- Croatia are probably going to finish second in Group A, which should see them through to the next round. They don't have any big star players anymore (like in the past with Davor Suker) but they have the experience of previous World and European Cups. Only downside might be the inexperience of the current trainer, Niko Kovac.
Player to watch: Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic

- Mexico have a a rough time qualifying, needing a whopping 47 different players to secure their place in Group A.
They have a solid defense (playing with 5 people in the back) but their striking abilities are relatively limited.
Because of the lack of a clearly-defined team, there might be problems with cooperation between the players on the field. They only have one week to solve that.
Player to watch: Oribe Peralta and Javier Hernandez.

- Cameroon: forget the team that played so well in the last century (1990), this Cameroon is only a shadow of its former self. There is no Roger Milla anymore.
They do have a good defense and an excellent goalkeeper (Charles Itandje) but they have trouble scoring.
And to be honest, they miss creativity in midfield.
Player to watch: Chelsea's Samuel Oto'o

Our prediction:
1. Brazil
2. Kroatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon

What do you think?

Typical Belgian food

Belgium has a long tradition of delicious food.

Here is a small selection of our favourite dishes:

- Tomate-crevette (a hollowed-out tomato stuffed with a mixture of grey shrimps and mayonnaise)

- Mussels with onions and celery

- Waterzooi: stew of chicken, cream and eggs

- Endives (often a gratin with béchamel sauces and cheese). Also sometimes wrapped in ham

- Rabbit in beer (mostly gueuze)

- Eel in a green sauce

- Carbonade à la Flamande: a beef stew often in beer

Win Alex Ferguson's Autobiography - FIFA World Cup 2014

On June 12, 2014, Brazil will host the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

We have an English-language edition here of a luxury edition of Sir Alex Ferguson's second autobiography, aptly titled "My Autobiography".

If you want to win this book (shipment only inside Europe I'm afraid) you can participate in our BeTraveller Competition.

How to participate?

1. Write here below in the comments your name

2. Click on our BeTraveller Competition Link here

3. Fill in the 9 competition questions by guessing the results of 9 FIFA games, and put your name and e-mail address in the tenth question box

The person who scores the most points, will win this book. In case of an tie, a random winner will be chosen among those with the highest score.

How are the points calculated?

If you guess who wins/draws the game, you get 5 points

If you guess the correct number of goals the home team scores, you get 2 points.

If you guess the correct number of goals the away team scores, you get 2 points.

per game you can therefore get a maximum of 9 points.

Example: The game Brazil - Croatia ends on a 3-1 score, and you predicted 2-1

- you will get 5 points because you guessed that Brazil would win

- you will get 2 points because you guessed that Croatia would score one goal

If you have any questions, please post them here below

Rules: - only one entry per person (multiple entries will disqualify the participant

- everybody can participate, but the prize will only be shipped to a European address

Prediction: Brazil - Croatia

On June 12, 2014, the hosting nation of the Uefa World Cup (Brazil) will take on their European adversaries of Croatia. The beautiful 'Arena de Sao Paolo' will be the setting of this clash of styles.

Brazil is known for its samba football, and Croatia will probably put a solid defense and a more kick & rush approach to counter that.

The other teams in Group A are Cameroon and Mexico, and analysts assume Brazil and Croatia should progress to the second round. A good result from either team in today's match should make that happen, as would probably a draw.

My prediction: Brazil 2 - Croatia 1

What do you think?