Joyous unity as the spirit of football grips Luzhniki

‘Russia, Russia, Russia!,’ was the cry heard most during the opening match of the FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium and by the final whistle, Russia was perhaps the happiest nation in the world courtesy of a thumping 5-0 start against Saudi Arabia.

The start of the match initially gave the impression that the Green Eagles would give their superior opponents a run for their money and spoil the party of the large home crowd, who kept backing their side with continuous chants of ‘Russia, Russia!’ (sounded like Ra-si-a! Ra-si-a!) until they eventually made their way home elated by the events on the pitch. 

Although it was just a word of six characters, it created a powerfully overwhelming environment at Luzhniki; the atmosphere created by a large majority of a sellout 80,000-plus crowd chanting in unison will be impossible to explain to those not physically present. 

It was amazing to watch and participate in the Mexican waves by the host fans who comfortably accounted for two-thirds of the attendance to dominate the experience much as their side bossed the match on the green ground that resembled a bed of velvet from the general gallery. 

Part of the crowd’s effort to inspire their players (and neutral fans) involved the unfurling of a gigantic Russian flag when the national anthem was played, and putting on paper hats of blue white and red.

While the home dominance in the gallery was to be expected, other spectators from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina were not far behind in contributing to the air of celebration and festivity as they waved their respective flags and sang their own songs whenever Russia found the back of Saudi Arabia net. Bangladesh was represented during the opening ceremonytoo as there were Bangladeshis among 221 kids waving their countries' flags as part of Gazprom;s initiative of 'Football for Friendship'. Football’s unifying spirit was alive and roaring at the Luzhniki on June 14, 2018. 

If you were one of the tremendously fortunate at the venue, the night would also have driven home the realisation that some of the colour and joy when watching on a television screen and that realisation seemed to imbue the fortunate with an extra coat of thrill from start to end.

At the start, spectators walked a long way to the main arena after going through the security checkpoints and throughout the trek the joyful thousands -- many with cheeks painted the colour of their allegiance, many others in myriad guises -- danced and sang. The spirit was not dampened by the long queues in front of the food stalls or the exorbitant prices (a hotdog and a beverage cost 700 rubles and a bottle of water made a 200-ruble dent in the wallet). 

At first glance, the Luzhniki Stadium looked like a tiny palace but its true cavernous nature was revealed only after entering the three-tiered gallery with a plethora of entrance and exit passages as well as toilet facilities -- certainly a welcome sight for anyone with experience of Bangladeshi stadiums. 

After the end of the game, some 80,000 spectators left the stadium within 45 minutes, thanks to the excellent efficiency of the groundstaff and the active role of the police. All returned happy with souvenirs such as special beer mugs and Coca Cola glasses, ending a night of home excellence on the pitch and united fervour off it.