The tension was intense in the Cacao factory in Helmond. More than one hundred and twenty young people gathered there to encourage Morocco. Youth worker Houssain Elkadmiri knows almost all young people. “Wonderful, isn’t this?”, he beamed at the beginning of the evening.
It is the third game that the young people watch together, organized by youth work organization LEVGroup. “Some people are alone at home or don’t want to go to a shisha lounge. How nice is it if they can watch together?” Elkadmiri explains. For the youth worker it is more than just watching football. “I see young people that I don’t normally see. They now know my face and I them. That helps me on the street. They also build up their own network of friends here.”
The atmosphere in the Cacaofabriek is much more pleasant than the riots in the major cities that took place during Morocco’s previous victories. “It’s really a super cozy atmosphere,” says Iliass El Banque (20). “At work someone jokingly asked, did you riot? A small group ruined it for the rest.”
Amin Amezziane (15) is also enjoying himself in the Cacaofabriek. “It’s especially fun when they score,” he says with a laugh. Armin also turns out to be an up-and-coming analyst. “France is decisive tonight. If they win, we have no chance. We can have England.”
Big party
After the final whistle, the party started in the Cacaofabriek. Perhaps the stunt of the World Cup. Morocco kicking the great Portugal out of the World Cup. This is the first time that an African country has qualified for a semi-final on the world stage. Much shouting and frenzy filled the Cocoa factory. There was dancing, flags waving and victory could be heard outside.