Skip to main content

Forget USA: Cheer for the Other Red, White, and Blue at the 2018 World Cup

iceland versus peru soccer
Hj’u009artur Hermannsson (Iceland) and Miguel Trauco (Peru) during an International Friendly match at Red Bull Arena on March 27, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. Steven Ryan/Getty Images

If you’re an American and you follow soccer, it was probably heart-breaking to see the U.S. Men’s National Team not qualify for the World Cup this year. No matter how bad the team might be, there was always hope that a miracle would happen. This World Cup, there will be no American miracles.

There is, however, an opportunity to still cheer for the red, white, and blue when the World Cup rolls around this summer. Better yet, it’s an underdog story — and who doesn’t love one of those?

The underdog in question: Iceland.

Yes, the island nation of just over 334,000 people is on its way to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and one of its most famous exports (after Björk, naturally), Reyka Vodka, wants you to cheer for Iceland’s flag colors of red, white, and blue since you can’t cheer on the U.S. this time around.

Starting April 18, Reyka Vodka (which is made in Iceland from glacial spring water, lava rock filtration, geo-thermal energy, and distiller a rare Carter-Head Still) will start selling a new line of “Go Iceland” gear for all fans preparing for the upcoming games, featuring everything from shirts and sweatshirts to the necessary-for-soccer scarf to koozies, flags, and bumper stickers. (You can check out some of our favorites above, or peep the full collection here.)

“Games are always more fun when sharing the experience with friends and fans, and rooting for one’s favorite team,” said Trevor Schneider, ambassador for Reyka Vodka. “Just because the U.S. team is not participating in the big game doesn’t mean those fans should be benched and miss out on the fun.”

Know nothing about the Icelandic national soccer team? Don’t worry, most people probably know nothing, as this is the team’s first World Cup appearance. We do think you’ve probably seen this clip of their announcer losing his damn mind during the win against Austria in 2016, though:

Soccer Commentator Goes Nuts After Iceland Win

If that doesn’t do it for you, check out their Viking chant. If it doesn’t get you pumped up, nothing will.

Iceland performs ultimate 'Viking war chant', throws epic homecoming party for Euro 2016 team

For those wanting to be super fans: Tthe colors of the Icelandic flag, while the same as ours and other countries around the world, stand for very different things. The red represents the fire of volcanoes, the white represents the snow and ice, and the blue the Atlantic Ocean which surrounds the island nation.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
A huge Le Creuset Cyber Monday sale just started — from $10
Carrots in the Le Creuset Signature cast-iron skillet.

Cyber Monday deals all over the place right now, with many of the biggest retailers discounting some popular products. You’ll appreciate this if you’re in the market for some holiday gifts for the chef in your circle, or if you're looking for something new for your own kitchen. Amazon is having Cyber Monday Le Creuset sale, with all sorts of high quality cookware seeing discounts and prices as low as $10. Skillets, Dutch ovens, mugs, and other kitchen items are available in this sale, so click over to Amazon and add something by Le Creuset to your kitchen.

Why You Should Shop the La Creuset Cyber Monday Sale at Amazon
Le Creuset is a premium cookware brand. It makes high quality cookware that both looks great and cooks great. It’s one of the most sought-after brands when it comes to a discount, as its premium reputation brings with it premium prices. But with this Le Creuset sale at Amazon you can save on cookware across the board. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Oval Dutch Oven regularly costs $445, but

Read more
Slow cooker recipes: Cincinnati chili is easier than you think
Put it over spaghetti, we dare you
Cincinnati chili

This time of year, everyone loves good slow cooker recipes. You want one that warms, comforts, and greets you with a delicious scent the moment you walk through the door after a long, chilly autumn day. The slow cooker is a beautiful thing for that very reason - not only does it provide a nearly prep-free meal, but it's the gift that keeps on giving with its delicious promise of a warm and hearty meal through tantalizingly exquisite aromas filling the house all day. And while we all love common slow cooker recipes - a meaty pot roast or Kung Pao chicken, sometimes what we're craving at the end of the day is something a bit out of the ordinary. That's why we love this recipe for Cincinnati chili.
Cincinnati chili is tremendously unique in the world of varying (sometimes competing) American chili dishes. Its flavors are warmer and more exotic, which makes sense as its origins aren't American at all, but Greek. In the early 20th century, Greek-Macedonian immigrant brothers John and Tom Kiradjieff opened a restaurant in Cincinnati. Their chili was flavored with traditional ingredients like chili pepper and cumin but also included more familiar Mediterranean ingredients such as allspice and cinnamon. The deliciously comforting dish caught on, and Cincinnati chili quickly became a regional favorite.
This spicy chili is traditionally served over spaghetti with a generous topping of shredded cheddar on top. Depending on the locals you happen to ask, the best way to enjoy this chili is over spaghetti, with or without cheese, kidney beans, and/or grated white onion. Within these barriers, one cannot go wrong. Just make sure to always, always use your fork to cut the pasta into bite-size portions. Twirling is absolutely out of the question.

Cincinnati chili recipe
While spaghetti is the traditional choice for serving Cincinnati chili, another popular option is pouring a generous heap over hot dogs. If you ask us, this is the absolute best way to make chili dogs.

Read more
Ice cream bread is the lifehack your internal fat kid needs
You like ice cream. You like bread. Why not mix them together?
ice cream bread recipe 6289263 1920

Social media's hottest new recipe trend that's floating around is one that we deeply, truly approve of. Naturally, things like butter boards and new coffee concoctions are always appreciated by those of us who love a fun culinary trend. But there's something about this one that just really tickles us pink - ice cream bread. Maybe it's the tempting simplicity of the name that combines two of the most wonderful things in the world. Maybe it's the fact that the recipe itself is almost simpler than the name. Maybe it's the sprinkles. Whatever the reason, ice cream bread is our new favorite trendy treat.

When we saw this video making the rounds, we decided that we needed to give ice cream bread a try, and the results were pleasantly surprising.

Read more