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WORLD NEWS Monday 16 July 2018

Politics guide Syrians backing Croatia in World Cup final

By BASSEM MROUE excellent team and they
AIN TERMA, Syria (AP) — reached the final."
Syrian troops based in this In town, people gathered
town near the capital Da- around TVs in shops and
mascus had their eyes homes watching the soc-
glued to the TV set when cer, Syria's most popular
France scored its third sport.
goal against Croatia in the Although many Syrians said
World Cup final on Sunday. that they were supporting
Four young men screamed Croatia for political rea-
in unison: "No!" sons, butcher Fahd al-Qadi,
Most of the Syrian troops 39, said he supports the Eu-
and residents of Ain Terma ropean nation because of
watched the World Cup's his love for the team's star
final match hoping that midfielder, Luka Modric.
Croatia would win, but ul- "I don't mix politics with soc-
timately weren't granted cer," said Qadi, standing
their wish. behind his wooden cutting
Most Syrians in areas con- board while eyeing a small
trolled by the government TV running on a generator
harbor antipathy for France because power is still cut
as many of them consider it from the town that was, un-
part of a coalition opposed Syrian army soldiers, supporting the Croatia team watch soccer World Cup final match between til March, held by rebels for
to President Bashar Assad. France and Croatia in the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus, Syria. over five years.
France is Syria's former colo- Associated Press When Russia was eliminat-
nial power and anti-French ed from the World Cup by
sentiments are usually high French as ruthless occupi- Republican Guard units "We are for Croatia," said Croatia last week, many
in the country. Many Syrian ers. watched the match Sun- one of the men dressed in Syrians around the world
soap operas depicting that On the edge of Ain Terma, day evening as they sipped army fatigues. "Croatia is a opposed to Assad cele-
period usually show the five members of the elite cups of sweetened tea. small country, they have an brated Moscow's defeat.q