KARACHI: Big screens were up again all across the city late Sunday evening for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

After Brazil’s departure in the semi-final, Lyari — the hub of football in Karachi — was no more one-sided on its choice for the winner. Some boys could be seen sporting the sky blue and white Argentina jerseys, others waving the German flag. Still the viewers weren’t as many in number as seen throughout the month during the key World Cup matches. Where were they? Well, many could be spotted outside on the grounds and in the streets, playing night cricket.

In other areas, people were pleasantly surprised to find big screens where there weren’t any earlier. The narrow side lawn on main Korangi Road outside Honeymoon Lodge or the Aga Khan Hill in Defence was jam-packed with men occupying every little patch of grass. There were also cars, taxis, rickshaws and gazillions of motorbikes parked along side the main road. “I didn’t know they were showing the match here,” said Haider Ali watching from inside his rickshaw. “I had to stop to watch. And after the match, who knows I may even get several passengers here,” he shrugged with a smile before asking, “But sister, please tell me, is Germany in blue or white?”

At the Eidgah ground, right across Delhi Colony in Clifton, the regulars to the park were in for another kind of surprise when they found the gates closed with only those who paid the Rs200 per person ticket allowed to pass through. When a few young men with the Argentinian flag painted on their faces and white and blue ribbons tied on their arms and wrists tried to force their entry, they were swiftly lifted and carried to a safe distance outside by the bouncers. The boys were in tears. “They have big screen up. Why can’t we be allowed inside?”

Some sporting Argentina shirts, others waving the German flag, youngsters in Lyari (left) make a victory sign to support their favourite team after Brazil’s departure in the semi-final, as a rickshaw wallah watches the final match on a big screen in DHA phase I late Sunday night.

But the men in their way flashed the thick green tickets with some NGO’s name printed on it. “Buy the tickets and you can come in,” one man with the ticket book told them. “We are also doing this for a good cause, understand?”

Meanwhile, a private viewing with another big screen up was under way at the German consulate general. To reach there, one had to pass through the protest demonstration and sit-in at Do Talwar against the atrocities in Gaza. In the narrow street leading to the consulate building, even the guards were sure about which team would win. “It’s Germany’s day today!” announced one guard as he checked the names of the guests on his list before letting them pass through.

Inside, the crown was completely one-sided of course. The seats with spotless white covers sported sashes in German flag colours – red, black and gold. There were also small German flags for the guests to carry to their seats to wave while cheering during the match. Many were sporting the new white German player jerseys while others seemed happy in the traditional red and black striped ones. In one corner German Consulate staff member, Peter Lartz, and his wife, Hea Yong, were painting the flag colours on people’s cheeks. “I’ve painted some 80 cheeks,” claimed Mr Lartz. “And I’ve only done three so far but I’m sure I’ll break his record tonight,” challenged his wife.

Germany was going to win, everyone was clear on that but by how many goals? That’s where the arguments and debates lay and to settle them bets were placed. Sebastian Feltz, another consulate employee, was sure Germany would win with a 4-1 scoreline.

Some sporting Argentina shirts, others waving the German flag, youngsters in Lyari (left) make a victory sign to support their favourite team after Brazil’s departure in the semi-final, as a rickshaw wallah watches the final match on a big screen in DHA phase I late Sunday night.

“No, no, it will be by 5-1,” his guest Salman Merchant upped the bounty.

“But one thing is clear. Argentina has one player, Messi, and we have teamwork. We will vaporize them!” Fletz was sure.

“I’m not really a football fan,” another guest, Omair Polani, sheepishly admitted, “but I’m here to support my German friends,” he smiled.

Everyone was chirpy ahead of the match during the playing of the documentaries on the age old football rivalry between Germany and Argentina. But everyone was serious and tense after the kick-off. Every move by the white shirts was cheered and clapped. And there were a few ‘awws’ and plenty of chuckling at the closeups of Argentinian fans in Brazil after Germany were finally able to score to end the 0-0 deadlock in the final minutes of extra time.

And finally, when their team didn’t disappoint with a clean 1-0 victory, it was time to jump up from the seats, hugs and tears of joy.

Germany has lifted the World Cup three times earlier as well, in 1954, 1974 and 1990, but 2014 is the first football World Cup victory by a united Germany.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2014