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Fans pack World Cup watch party, display growing West Michigan soccer interest

French fans danced and chanted "Allez Les Bleus" after the team earned its first World Cup since 1998.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - More than 1,000 soccer fans took over part of a Grand Rapids street on Sunday for a watch party of the FIFA World Cup final, in which France defeated Croatia 4-2.

Fans watched the game on a giant LED screen outside the Garage Bar & Grill on 819 Ottawa Ave. NW. SpeakEZ Lounge co-hosted the event.

“I come here, and there’s maybe 1,000 people here,” said Cameron Moule, a casual fan. “It’s insane. It’s a great atmosphere.”

Organizers estimated between 1,300 and 1,500 people filtered through the block party over the course of the game, including fans from France and Croatia.

Members of the Grand Rapids Football Club men’s team also attended after the their season-ending loss to Duluth on Saturday in penalty kicks.

“[Fans] packing a pub last night, singing songs like it was an international game…for a [fourth] tier league is pretty incredible,” said GRFC goalkeeper Noah Fazekas. “And then we get to watch the World Cup final with them today. They just welcomed us home today with songs. It’s really incredible.”

The team joined their super fans, known as the Grand Army, in GRFC songs following the match. Fazekas said fan interest in local soccer can continue growing during off years of the World Cup.

“We’re a fourth tier league here and we get 5,000 people at games,” he said. “You’ve got local football here. You’ve got a great fan base. Just come out and watch them. That’s how we’ll continue to grow the sport in the states.”

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