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Moroccan fans in London have embraced their country’s historic run to the World Cup semi-finals…they dared to dream again on Wednesday, living through every moment of the defeat to France. His performances in Qatar will remain in the memory for a long time
The Trellick Lounge found at the bottom of the famous tower of the same name on Golborne Road is usually a quiet place where the local Moroccan community strolls in the evening for mint tea, play Parchis (a board game Spanish that is still popular in northern Morocco) and talk about their day.
But over the last few weeks, this little cafe, just a short walk from London’s Ladbroke Grove station, has become where the local community gathers in droves and supports the Atlas Lions. On Wednesday night they gathered again by the hundreds to roar the team that has allowed them to dream.
An hour before kick-off, every chair owner Abdeslam Aarab could find was taken and there was standing room only inside, where the walls were draped with Moroccan flags. In the streets, newcomers crowded together, doing their best to catch a glimpse of the screens scattered inside. Despite the temperatures, he arrived with the hope of living even more happiness after Saturday’s victory against Portugal.
Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup ended in the semi-final after a 2-0 loss to France.
London-based Moroccan fans have embraced their nation’s run all the way to the semi-finals.
They celebrated each victory as the Atlas Lions were the first African team to reach the semi-final.
The victories over Belgium, Spain and Morocco – three heavyweights – will live long in the memory
We may have been 1400 miles from Marrakech and 3000 miles from Doha, but we felt like we were in the heart of Casablanca. The semi-final was broadcast live on the BBC, but it was the Arabic commentary from BEIN Sports that blared from the TV screens inside, combined with the constant shouts of ‘Seer’. When asked what it meant, one of the locals explained that it was their version of ‘Allez’.
Before the anthems were even played, the shot of their captain Achraf Hakimi embracing his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe was met with deafening cheers. The standard had been set even before a ball was kicked. They stood up and shouted their national anthem and although France scored early, that was never going to dampen spirits. This was a World Cup semifinal.
They still prayed. They still waited. Each block celebrated with a joy. Each entry was celebrated as a goal. Every misplaced pass was met with groans. Every missed opportunity was met with despair. They weren’t just watching it. They were living it. On the brink of the break, a Chilean from Jawad El Yamiq that hit the post almost gave them their moment. They may have followed, but boy did they believe.
The Atlas Lions fans came out in force again for the semifinal match against the French
Hundreds of fans gathered at The Trellick Lounge cafe on Goldborne Road to watch the game
We may have been 1,400 miles from Marrakech and 3,000 miles from Doha, but it felt like we were in the heart of Casablanca as the fans dared to dream before France claimed victory.
“It doesn’t cost you anything to have dreams,” Walid Regragui, the Moroccan coach, had said earlier in the week. For the 35 minutes of the second half, they dreamed before reality hit them with France’s second goal.
The silence was followed by a crescendo of applause for their heroes. In the end, those dreams of a World Cup final were not fulfilled, but by then history had already been made. Whatever happens on Sunday between two giants of international football, what Morocco has done over the past month will live long in everyone’s memory.