Here’s how to stay awake for matches in the wee hours — and even make it a lively celebration for the football enthusiasts in your fam.
True-blue football fans are adept at calculating time differences and scheduling strategic WFH days (ahem) in order to catch the action of major tournaments, such as the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany.
With most key matches happening at 12am and 3am in Singapore (6pm and 9pm, respectively, local time), the excitement is worth the late nights. Who needs sleep when there’s a chance to see French captain and superstar striker Kylian Mbappé execute his iconic crossed-arms celebratory gesture after scoring?
For enthusiasts eager to enhance their late-night or early-morning football viewing experience, here’s how to stay awake and enjoy the action — even if your favorite team is down 2-0.
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL WITH LIVE SCREENINGS
Instead of waking your neighbours at 4am with hearty cheers for Jude Bellingham, join fellow EURO 2024 enthusiasts at any HomeTeamNS clubhouses for free live screenings of the group matches to semi-finals from 15 June to 11 July. No registration is required — just walk in. Plus, HomeTeamNS members enjoy complimentary snack pack and priority seating.
But that’s not all. On 15 July, all HomeTeamNS clubhouses will host a EURO 2024 Finals Party. Watch the finals with fellow soccer fans and experience the electrifying atmosphere, enhanced by soccer-themed fringe activities. It will feel almost like being in the stands at Olympiastadion Berlin.
Tip: The $20 Kanchiong Registration for Early Birds starts on 15 June.
For more information on the free screenings and EURO 2024 Finals Party, visit HomeTeamNS’ EURO 2024 website.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT BREW — AND TIMING — FOR A POWER-UP
Coffee is a go-to elixir for fans determined to endure until the final whistle. But not all brews are created equal in doling out a much-needed caffeine boost. Our humble kopi, crafted from robusta beans, has up to twice the caffeine of arabica-based café brews.
You can also embrace the ‘nappucino’ technique to optimise your caffeine intake. Drink a coffee before taking a 20-minute nap (don’t forget to set the alarm), and you’ll be awake just as the caffeine kicks in. Deploy this tactic prior to the match’s kick-off time, or during lunch the next day if you’re feeling drowsy at work.
When it comes to tea, its caffeine content hinges on the steeping duration and water temperature. Steep the leaves in your mug of teh for a longer time in hotter water to make the most of your brew.
Despite their moniker, energy drinks surprisingly lag behind coffee in the caffeine department: A can of Red Bull contains around 80mg of caffeine, less than the average 100mg in a cup of Joe.
Just remember that the recommended daily caffeine limit is 400 mg. Anything over that can lead to side effects like headaches, nervousness, muscle tremors and rapid heartbeat.
EAT LESS, SNACK MORE
With a drink in hand, it’s time to consider your snack options. While it might be tempting to indulge in cup noodles or nasi goreng for supper, carb-heavy meals will induce drowsiness. That’s because carbohydrates trigger an increase in tryptophan levels in the brain, which in turn generates more serotonin and melatonin – brain chemicals that govern your sleep.
Instead, go for lighter, energising snacks like dark chocolate, which contains caffeine and theobromine to pump up your heart rate and keep you alert. Tomatoes and aged cheese like vintage cheddar are rich in tyramine, an amino acid known for its ability to trick the body into a wakeful state.
For local flavours, try spicy snacks like keropok dipped in sambal. Research has shown that capsaicin (the chemical that makes chili taste hot) may cause changes in body temperature that disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
LIGHT UP IN BLUE
No, this doesn’t refer to the French or Italian team jerseys. Blue light from our phones, laptops and TV screens can wreak havoc on our sleep by inhibiting the production of melatonin, a crucial hormone for regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
Use this to your advantage by turning up your phone screen brightness (remember to disable the night shift mode) and scrolling through social media during downtime or half-time to stay engaged. However, don’t max out the brightness to avoid eye strain or annoying others with its glare.
In addition, keep the room lights on, as watching in darkness can make you sleepy faster than German speedster Karim Adeyemi can race down the pitch.
KEEP THE ENERGY HIGH DURING HALF-TIME
Half-time breaks, especially during lacklustre matches, can feel like an eternity. To avoid nodding off, take a restroom break, dash to the nearest 24-hour convenience store to refuel your stash of drinks or snacks, or squeeze in a quick workout to invigorate your body and mind.
You can also keep lethargy at bay by immersing yourself in stimulating activities — like checking out what your favourite YouTube football armchair pundits have to say, or diving into a spirited debate with your pals who are up watching the match. A lively WhatsApp exchange over whether EURO 2024 Finals Party will keep you on your toes.
Tip: At the HomeTeamNS’ Finals Party, you can try out fringe activities such as Foosball and Sub-Soccer, or redeem snacks during half-time to stay awake and keep your eyes on the ball.
MAKE IT A FAMILY FOOTBALL LOVE AFFAIR
Watching a match solo can be dull. If you have kids or younger relatives, why not make it a fun weekend family activity? By introducing them to the joys of football, you’ll be bonding with them on a different level — and possibly creating a new generation of football-siao Singaporeans.
Get them into the game with a round of FIFA on the Playstation. Once hooked, let them choose players or teams to root for during UEFA EURO 2024, igniting their enthusiasm for the beautiful game. On match night, dress in the colours of your favourite teams and capture the moment with a photo. Encourage the little ones to unleash their creativity by crafting homemade banners and mark the experience with themed snacks like Italian bruschetta, English meat pies, Belgian waffles or Portuguese egg tarts.
Coupled with the thrill of staying up late, it’s bound to be a memorable night they’ll cherish for years.
Tip: HomeTeamNS members can bring up to two guests during the live screenings at any HomeTeamNS clubhouses. Bring your family along and kick off the bonding time.
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