On the night (or day, depending on time zone) of June 22 everybody seemed to be overjoyed, football fans and people who normally do not care about sports alike.
Moscow, Russia’s most populous city, was the unluckiest that night – the celebration that involved about 700,000 fans went on in all its districts. Some major central streets where crowded with people, signaling cars, with fireworks and petards going off all the time. Although there were no cases of vandalism, city authorities have reported collecting four extra trucks of litter from Moscow’s central streets on the morning after.
Streets of Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second most important city, also turned into a nighttime party zone a few minutes after the game ended. Nevsky Prospekt central avenue was all filled with somewhat drunk celebrating crowd. People would shout and hug each other, and some began to play football, inspired by the success of the national team. The were no police seen on Nevsky, but most fans, who would keep partying until 6 a.m., where quite friendly. Nobody seemed to care of traffic rules, and, obviously, some drivers must have had alcohol before taking their cars to the streets (which is strictly prohibited in Russia).
Many other cities across the nation, such as Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Tomsk and others, could not sleep that night, as well.
In many cities and towns, municipal authorities where taken aback by the outburst of joy. Now they fearfully awaiting Thursday, when Russia is to play against Spain in semifinals. The police are preparing extra security measures in case the crowd is not so peaceful. Law-enforcement agencies say the crowds will surely turn hysterical Thursday night, no matter who wins the game.
Alexander Popov
Photo: Reuters
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