The Moroccans in Frankfurt celebrate their team even in defeat
NOh he Semi-final defeat by France at the World Cup it remained largely quiet at the Frankfurt Konstablerwache. After the previous games, thousands of Moroccans celebrated there and along the Zeil, the police estimate that there were 200 people celebrating this time. Some light Bengalos. Adjusted the mood is euphoric and it remains peaceful. Many are happy and glad that Morocco has come this far at the World Cup.
It wasn’t just the Moroccans who were passionate about it. Football fans from the Maghreb countries, other parts of Africa and countries in the Middle East also cheered for the Moroccans. “That makes us all very proud,” says Said Houlich, coach of the Frankfurt club FC Maroc 74. “It’s not just the Maghreb countries that are coming together. Morocco represents all of Africa at this World Cup,” he says. Many Africans watched the game together, shared a fever. “Nobody will forget that.” He is pleased that Morocco has gained popularity through football. “In the past we weren’t exactly known as a footballing nation. It’s really nice that Morocco is now being celebrated internationally,” says Houlich.
National colors on the cheeks
Also this evening is like after the quarter-final win against Portugal Not being able to get a seat in the Moroccan restaurant Tatie at the main train station without a reservation. For three guests, owner Karim Chamlal pushes a table from outside into the dining room, and then the restaurant is packed. Individual guests must turn away Chamlal and its staff. And that despite the fact that 35 people had canceled at short notice. The majority of the guests wear the red and green national jersey of the Moroccans, some have painted the colors on their cheeks. Two large Moroccan flags adorn the walls of the restaurant.
Even before kick-off, the atmosphere is tense and nervous.
When France take the lead in the fifth minute, it’s still sudden.
Every time the Moroccans miss a chance, a loud murmur goes through the restaurant. Noureddine Louzaoui goes out after the gate and lights a cigarette. “I have to take a deep breath first,” he says. However, the 44-year-old native of Morocco quickly calmed down. “It’s amazing that we’ve even gotten this far. Even if we lose now, I’m not sad.” After all, France is the current world champion. The fact that the two countries have a common history is not relevant to him.
“The history of the countries should be kept apart”. Many Moroccans lived in France and also French in Morocco. Today it’s about football, thinks Louzaoui.
Others also feel that sport brings many nations together. “Many Iraqis and Lebanese are rooting for it,” says Houriya Salmi. “It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, we’re super proud.” Many of her friends were thrilled that Morocco had come this far.
Cheer with a hand drum
“We also have a lot of Turks and Algerians who have looked here,” says Tatie owner Karim Chamlal. For him it is because of the World Cup surprise that many Arab countries are currently happy for Morocco. “Nobody expected it. The team is heartfelt. That connects”. He also does not want to take into account the historical part between Morocco and France. “You have to look ahead. It’s sport, the best should win.”
At the beginning of the second half, Fatouma Hilmi comes into action. It belongs to Aamana eV, a Moroccan association that wants to strengthen “communication between people from different cultures and regions”. She has a small hand drum with her and with her singing she puts the whole restaurant in a party mood.
When France scored their second goal shortly before the end of the game, there was a brief silence. Some guests are already leaving the Tatie. Not so Hilmi. She keeps beating her drum and singing, and others get on. “We lost the game, but we won at heart,” she says. It was nice to see so many people cheering. “We will never forget this tournament.”
When the final whistle goes off, everyone applauds. Hardly anyone at Tatie feels like a loser that night. And so the guests, Moroccans or not, leave the restaurant proud of their team.
Shortly after 10 p.m., the atmosphere at the Konstablerwache is exuberant. Music is playing and people are dancing. The few hundred who made it to the “Konsti” when the temperatures were below zero still dance happily just before 11 p.m. They didn’t lose, they feel like winners.