Party over, Russia back to the grind
AFTERSHOCK Wistful recollection for Russian fans after a celebration of football which also gave them an exposure to different cultures
unfolded over the past five weeks to which was added the euphoria of Russia’s quarter-final run.
“I am sad that it’s coming to end. We have met so many people from so many cultures; it has been a beautiful experience for all of us. It’s the best festival we have ever hosted,” said Mariya, a manager at a local café.
“We have forgotten all our problems for a while. Once it ends, normal life resumes on Monday. But the last month has been great for us. The football team has turned everyone mad for the sport,” said Alexander, a local fan.
On Sunday, a steady stream of fans of France and Croatia made their way into the main complex of the Luzhniki Stadium some five hours before kick-off.
There were a few Argentines and Brazilians as well but Croatians remained most prominent.
“This is our biggest ever match. We have had lot of problems in football in our country but our national team has continued to do well. We are really proud of them,” said Borna from Zagreb.
With Russian president Vladimir Putin hosting state-heads of France and Croatia, as well as a number of famous names from and outside football in attendance, police presence was visibly higher in the roads leading to the Luzhniki Stadium than on previous match days.
French football fans, visibly lesser in number than Croatian fans until this point, started making their way to the complex.
A group of them chanted ‘Allez! Allez! Allez!’ as a local TV reporter approached them. The chant was picked by other French fans nearby. Croatian fans responded with one of their own.
A brief spell of afternoon showers didn’t dampen their spirit.
It wouldn’t for this was football’s biggest evening, one that comes once in four years.