Obelgix and Belgium’s noisy band light up Seattle at the World Cup | OneFootball

Belgian fans packed bars around Lumen Field as Belgium began their World Cup in Seattle on Monday. Even a 1-1 draw with Egypt did not blunt the party.

According to L'Équipe, Victory Hall, wedged between Elliott Bay and T-Mobile Park, has been draped in Belgian colours for 48 hours. Tricolour flags lined the courtyard as food trucks served nonstop and a banner read "House of the Devils".

Thousands have poured into the city ahead of Egypt, with further trips planned to Los Angeles and Vancouver. Some 7,000 booked through the official '1895' Red Devils supporters’ club, named after the federation’s founding year.

Among them is Obelgix, Belgium’s spin on the comic-book hero, kitted out in black, yellow and red with a horned helmet. The supermarket owner obliges endless selfies with fellow fans and curious Americans.

Dominique hesitated over the trip because of steep costs, then moved late after reading that stadiums were far from full. He drove from Namur to Frankfurt for a direct flight to Seattle, paying 800 euros for the plane and far less for tickets. As an '1895' member, he landed a deal of 100 euros for two matches.

Local docker Zac, Mariners cap fixed to his head, paid $475 per ticket to experience the World Cup in his city and stadium. He bought four, for his in-laws, his wife and himself. His son, not yet one and asleep in a buggy, went free as the family mingled with the boisterous Red Devils.

Hours after full time they were still singing to Gala’s Freed From Desire and a rap-electro chant about Jérémy Doku, beers still flowing. If Belgium finish top of their group, they would return to Seattle for the round of 32, before a possible last 16.

Source: L'Équipe