DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Sports

Belgian Fans Celebrate World Cup Victory Together in Wetteren

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Over 700 supporters gathered in Wetteren, Belgium, to watch the Red Devils' World Cup match against the USA on a large screen.
  • Despite the late hour, fans celebrated Belgium's decisive 4-1 victory with cheers and beer showers.
  • The shared experience created a special atmosphere, with many fans expressing satisfaction and a desire to return for future matches.

Wetteren's Market Square transformed into a vibrant hub for football fans as over 700 supporters congregated to watch Belgium's Red Devils take on the USA in a World Cup match. The event, centered around a large screen, brought together a passionate crowd eager to cheer for their national team despite the match kicking off in the early hours of the morning.

Every time we scored, it was a fantastic party. I waved my Belgian flag every time, out of pride for the Belgians.

— Philippe Vander ScheldeDescribing the celebratory atmosphere during Belgium's victory over the USA.

The atmosphere was electric from the start, especially after Belgium scored within the first 10 minutes. The subsequent three goals were met with jubilant celebrations, including the customary beer showers. "Every time we scored, it was a fantastic party. I waved my Belgian flag every time, out of pride for the Belgians," shared Philippe Vander Schelde, reflecting the collective euphoria.

The biggest reason to come was that it's at night. I think the atmosphere even has something romantic because of it.

— Maud VansteenkisteExplaining her motivation for attending the late-night World Cup viewing event.

For some, the late hour added a unique charm to the experience. Maud Vansteenkiste set her alarm to be there, noting, "The biggest reason to come was that it's at night. I think the atmosphere even has something romantic because of it." An De Graeve stayed up all night, fearing she might oversleep and miss the game, adding that "the darkness gives football a completely different dimension."

I stayed up all night because I was afraid I would oversleep and miss the match. And it's true: the darkness gives football a completely different dimension.

— An De GraeveSharing her experience of staying up all night to watch the match on a large screen.

Some fans even took time off work to attend. Michiel Van Cauwenberghe, who took a half-day vacation, stated, "I had a half-night shift, and now I'm taking a half-day off. I could have watched at work, but you can't pay for the atmosphere and ambiance here. It's blissful." The victory, which saw goals from players like Charles De Ketelaere and Hans Vanaken, left supporters buzzing with adrenaline, with many vowing to return for future screenings.

I had a half-night shift, and now I'm taking a half-day off. I could have watched at work, but you can't pay for the atmosphere and ambiance here. It's blissful.

— Michiel Van CauwenbergheExplaining his decision to take time off work to join the public viewing event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog