Russia’s World Cup fever stretches all the way to Siberia

THOUSANDS of kilometres and a five-hour time difference with Moscow cannot dull World Cup fever in the Siberian town of UlanUde, even if it means missing out on sleep.

After Russia’s stunning victory over Spain on Sunday, j oyful celebrations broke out in this city of roughly 400,000 people to the east of Lake Baikal, mirroring those taking place in central Moscow.

“We still feel the party here, despite being 5,000km away. Everyone supports Russia, I think Russia will win this competition,” said 40-year-old farmer Anton Darkhanov.

In the world’s biggest country, with 11 timezones, following a tournament taking place in the European part of Russia has meant missing out on sleep for those in the east.

The easternmost of the 11 host cities is Yekaterinburg, on the frontier between Europe and Asia.

When a match starts in Moscow at 9pm, viewers in Ulan-Ude will be turning on their TVs at 2am.

Local radio producer Aliona told AFP that people at the bar where she was watching the Russia-Spain game burst into tears and erupted in joy at the final whistle on Sunday.

In the city centre “there were so many people dancing, singing, some had the Russian flag”, she said. “Everyone was happy. It was a big party for everyone.”

But in the village of Vahmistrovo to the south of Ulan-Ude, farmer Bayir Budayev i s keeping his expectations in check.

“It’s the Russian spirit – when you don’t expect anything, you have more success,” he said.

“The main subject now is football. It’s the most important event, the World Cup. It unites us, it unites all of society,” said Budayev’s wife Ksenya.

The team’s fighting spirit is like “the Russian national character,” Budayev added. – AFP