Fan Fest is fantastic at World Cup

Moscow: Fifa Fan Fest is one of the useful ideas of the world football governing body. It is growing from strength to strength since 2006. For people who throng the host country of the World Cup without match tickets, it is a boon. A visit to the Moscow Fan Fest for the Belgium-Japan last 16 match on Monday was revelatory.

When the local organising committee chose a place bang in front of the Moscow State University for Fan Fest, there was, predictably, an uproar. Students were up in arms against the invasion of their space by hordes of football fans, whose reputation for proper behaviour is questionable. As always, the establishment had its way.

One realised how right the protesting students had been, right after getting out of Vorobyovy Gory, the nearest metro station to Fan Fest. The winding path leading up to the festivities was sylvan with trees and bushes on both sides. The dip in temperature was palpable. Entry to the venue of Fan Fest was hassle-free with the only condition being not to take any branded item inside including water bottle to avoid ambush marketing by a rival company.

More than 10 giant screens, with the imposing facade of the Moscow State University serving as a beautiful backdrop, beamed the match live for the benefit of multi-national fans in an open space five times bigger than a football field. With the crowd being thin as Belgium were expected to steamroller Japan, fans — young and old  — had plenty of space to kick a football around. It's a rare place where playing and watching football was possible. You could also catch action lying down on meadows or a concrete surface.

There are plenty of shops selling food, beverages and memorabilia. You wouldn't be surprised to know that all of them are marketing partners of Fifa. Free from the restrictions of the stadium, fans were soaking in the terrific atmosphere. There is so much freedom and fun to be had at Fan Fest that a ticket holder might even think of forsaking the pricey piece of paper in his hand for the party in front of the Moscow State University.

Noel John and Alan Kurian, both from Kerala, were enjoying themselves at Fan Fest. "We had tickets for only one match, so we come here regularly. It's an amazing place to watch football," Kurian said.

Belgium and Japan made the evening even more memorable by playing out a fantastic match. Although Japan had the support of all other countries except Belgium at Fan Fest, the Red Devils couldn't be denied in the end.