Poperinge Celebrates Enthusiastically After Belgian Victory Over USA: 'Beer Flew Around with Every Goal'

Poperinge erupted in jubilant celebration following Belgium's decisive 4-1 victory over the United States in a football match. A massive crowd of supporters, predominantly young people, packed the Beta Zomerbar, located near the city's sports zone and technical services, to watch the game.

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It was fantastic, unbelievable! I didn't expect so many people. I never thought so many others would be awake too. The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was behind the team, even at 2 a.m.

The match kicked off at 2 a.m., yet the supporters' bar was completely full. "It was fantastic, unbelievable!" exclaimed 22-year-old supporter Majid Hamri, who took a half-day off work specifically to watch the game. "I didn't expect so many people. I never thought so many others would be awake too. The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was behind the team, even at 2 a.m."

Hamri added that the controversy surrounding U.S. striker Balogun did not dampen their spirits. "Red card or not, we didn't see him. It was perfect. With every goal, everyone jumped up and beer flew everywhere. I hope we keep winning, all the way to the final!"

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Red card or not, we didn't see him. It was perfect. With every goal, everyone jumped up and beer flew everywhere. I hope we keep winning, all the way to the final!

Dauwe Parret, 17, from Vleteren, attended the bar with friends. Initially wrapped in a blanket to stay warm, he soon joined the celebrations. "I was wearing shorts, but Mom brought blankets, perfect, right?" he said. "How do I stay awake? Drink enough. A Red Bull now and then, that always works. The atmosphere was huge and the result is absolutely top, 1-4!"

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I was wearing shorts, but Mom brought blankets, perfect, right? How do I stay awake? Drink enough. A Red Bull now and then, that always works. The atmosphere was huge and the result is absolutely top, 1-4!

His friend Liam echoed the optimism, stating, "We will definitely win against Spain next time." He admitted that before the World Cup, he predicted a quarterfinal finish as the maximum. "Now I dream of the final. We will definitely come to support again. It's very cozy here and we make a lot of friends. We're used to the late hour now. We sleep a bit during the day." Dauwe also expressed confidence in beating Spain, having watched them play Portugal and finding them not particularly impressive. "On to the semifinals, for sure! The belief is very strong!"

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We will definitely win against Spain next time. Now I dream of the final. We will definitely come to support again. It's very cozy here and we make a lot of friends. We're used to the late hour now.