WORLD CUP FINAL EXPATS CHEER FOR THEIR TEAMS
Croatia is a big team and has been playing really well, but I’m excited about meeting the French community in Delhi at the embassy and cheering for my country
ANAIS CAYZAC EXPAT
Ankita Rawat
It’s who’s July into 15, football, and for anyone it’s D-Day. It’s a particularly exciting day for the tiny Croat community in India — this is the first time that their country has made it to the FIFA World Cup final, and they face mighty France, having beaten another strong footballing country, England. in Europe Delhi Most for of have the summer, gone Croatian home but expats we to met with Dr Zeljana Puljiz Sostik, visiting lecturer in Croatian language, Faculty of Arts, Delhi University, who’s going to cheer for her team with her family. Her students, too, will be Croatians by proxy today. The cheerful professor isn’t a soccer fan as such, but has become occasion. one She on says, this proud “Croatia is a small country, and with soccer, we see some hope and future. Back home, our whole nation is on cloud nine. Me, my husband and my kids plan to watch the match in our North Delhi home. We’ll support, we’ll cheer and scream!” About her DU students, who’re sportingly donning the Croatia team jersey for the World Cup final, Zeljana says, “It’s extremely interesting that my students will be supporting Croatia. I’m touched by this.” On the other hand, French expats, who are in plenty in the Capital, are in a celebratory mood already, as July 14 was Bastille Day (a turning point in the French Revolution of 1789). French Embassy official Marie Tissier tells us, “I’m so excited about the game. My friends and I plan to watch it at the embassy; we’ll be an hour early, to enjoy the pre-game atmosphere, surrounded by all the French and Indian supporters! Allez les Bleus!” Anais Cayzac, who is an administrator at Alliance Française, says, “Croatia is a big team and has been playing really well, but I’m excited about meeting the French community in Delhi at the embassy and cheering for my country.” Julian Hoarau, who works in tourism, says, “As a French national, I support France, of course. The plan is to gather with friends at home, paint our faces in blue, white and red, and win the game!”