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The World Cup fever lingers on

FIFA World Cup 2018 may have concluded in Russia on Sunday, but the hangover will linger a while and that is for certain. Here are some soccer fans sharing their inhand experience of the World Cup 2018

| JULY 18, 2018, 05:49 PM IST
The World Cup  fever lingers on

Basil Sylvester Pinto  


While many of us may have made a mad rush at one of the happening screenings in the State for a stadium-like experience for the World Cup final, for Seinrich Gomes it was a difference akin to chalk and cheese. The Varca-based college student shared his experience exclusively with The Goan before leaving Russia for the State with beautiful memories. On the ninety minutes final, Seinrich Gomes was frank to state it was a lopsided final. Though the World Cup final debutants may have emerged as second best on the night, they had won new fans the world-over with their impressive, unexpected dream run in the mega tournament. One of these fans for the red-and-white-checked jersey side was Gomes. “I rooted for Croatia. Their team’s passion was brilliant and they deserved to be in the final. Their fans created an unforgettable atmosphere in the stadium and I was at first-hand to experience it as I was seated behind the Croatian contingent. Besides, the French were too stuck up,” he revealed.   

Entering the Luzhniki stadium for the final gave him a hair-raising feeling of excitement. “The stadium itself was massive, designed in such a way that you get an unobstructed view. The Croatians seemed more passionate before kick-off and were chanting non-stop. It was a feeling that gave me goosebumps. First of all it was the final of the ultimate football match in all of world football. And secondly, the atmosphere was something I never experienced before. It was spectacular, thrilling and magical. The ceremony preceding the final was neat and tidy, and the trophy unveiling was another goosebumps moment,” he stated.   

Narrating further on his experience with the fans, he had some pleasant memories to share. “The picture I clicked with the Croatian father and son duo was memorable, because after the picture, the little boy asked me where I am from, and I said, India. And he asked me who I am supporting, I replied Croatia. And the happiness on his face was priceless. Sharing beers with some French and Americans was also nice.” Dispelling the notion, that people think Russia as boring, he speaks on the recent World Cup hosts as a fun nation. “It is not sad, but beautiful. Historical St Petersburg, modern Moscow, it is an amalgamation of young and old. Beautiful architecture, lovely people and world-class public infrastructure. They say it is the best World Cup to date. And I definitely have to agree. The whole World Cup experience was unforgettable with memories I will cherish all my life,” the 21-year-old concluded.   

Kashyap Shinkre, a  Margao-basedhotelier was also in Russia for an early Round of 16 fixture between France and Argentina held at Kazan. “I had gone to Russia from Goa along with two of my friends, Jacob Ataide and Filipe Borges for the match,’ he revealed. “Half an hour ahead of the game, when the players came out for the warm-up, a roar went up for Messi, who according to me, is the GOAT: greatest of all time. Every fan was wearing a Messi jersey. It was as if the whole of Argentina was in the Kazan Arena,” he reminicised. “Even with time running out and Les Bleus ahead in the match, the Argentine fans were optimistic of a comeback and singing songs, which I gathered, were praising Maradona and Messi. As the referee blew the long whistle, the entire stadium went into grief. The Argentinian fans around us were crying openly. I have never seen such a passionate crowd in my life,” he recalled. But that said Shinkre was candid to state that he felt the Argentinian fans knew, deep in their hearts, that one Messi was not enough to carry the mediocre La Albiceleste on his shoulders.  

Meanwhile, Ryan Silveira had gone to Russia along with his father, Anthony, sister, Belmira Silveira, brother-in law, Terence Fernandes and their kids, Ethan and Sasha for the closing stages of the World Cup. Based in Moscow, the Saxtiikars were supporting Croatia to be only the third team in FIFA history to win the World Cup on a debut in the final of the quadrennial showpiece. Against the odds, the South Goa based family managed to acquire tickets for the big final on an online ticket trading site. “We were at the stadium in Moscow two hours early. The crowd at the stadium had around 90 per cent support for Croatia. We are sad they lost on the night,” he stated.   

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