Zabivaka joined fans at the FIFA FAN FEST in Kazan
Thousands of spectators gathered today at the FIFA Fan Fest in Kazan to watch the first match in the city of the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia ™ between the teams of France and Australia. The site near the Kazan Family Center became another opportunity to join this great football event for many residents and visitors of the city who came here with friends and families, because the Fan Fest is the only official venue outside the stadium where all the 64 matches of the mundial will be broadcasted.
The game between France and Australia started at 13:00 and ended in favor of the French national football team with the score 2:1. Many fans of the winning team turned out to be foreign students from Nigeria, Senegal, and Cote d'Ivoire. They told us that they were glad to study in such a beautiful city and were happy to visit the FIFA Fan Festival. During the game, the predictions of the match outcome were different among fans, and each team had their own support group at the festival.
Anna, a resident of Kazan, was supporting the French team. "I am delighted. Everything is well organized, it is very comfortable here. I really liked the playing areas. It is great that there are two screens, you can sit down and have a rest,” she noted. “Special thanks to the volunteers - I was a volunteer at the Olympic Games in Sochi and at various competitions in Kazan as well". Ruslan from Vyatskiye Polyany, Kirov Region, supported the French team as well. "I came to enjoy the World Cup. I like the atmosphere here. We plan to come to Kazan every weekend while the mundial is underway”.
The same number of spectators supported the Australian national team. "I'm cheering for Australia today. I talked with Australian fans yesterday, it seems to me that they are the most open-hearted and good-looking people", the residant of Kazan Farida shared her opinion. "It is very interesting here! More interesting than at home. Everything is done very well - so much space! All the fans are friendly, it seems like everyone is cheering for everyone", she added.
For James from Australia it is his first time in Russia, he came with four friends to the event: “I enjoyed the city and the "Kazan Arena” stadium. Good atmosphere, a great screen - everything is wonderful!" Another Australian fan Jurgen underlined how friendly the city residents and fans are.
Henry came from Australia together with a huge company of 20 members of his football team. “Kazan is wonderful and the Kremlin is beautiful”, he noted after walking in the city after a football match.
More than 41 thousand fans visited the match at the «Kazan Arena» stadium, where Australian and French fans actively supported their national football teams. After the match, most of them - someone inspired by the victory of their team, others with hope for the upcoming success of their team, went to the Fan Fest, where the concert program was already in full swing, and the next matches were broadcasted. As we informed, there are 3 more World Cup matches taking place today - Argentina and Iceland, Peru and Denmark, and Croatia and Nigeria. Fun, joyful mood and entertainment united all the fans.
Along with the fans, the Official Mascot of the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia™ Zbivaka™ visited the Festival site today. There were many people wishing to say him hello and take pictures with him and the friendly wolf was willing to have a chat with all the fans and even played football.