French and Italian embassies gear up for World Cup final

NEW DELHI: As two European titans prepare to clash in the World Cup final in Berlin today, in Chanakyapuri, Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, the countries’ embassies are priming themselves to celebrate the big match.

Staff members of the two missions have made elaborate plans to enjoy the final match with Indian friends and diplomatic counterparts from other countries as well.

The French embassy has been decorated in France’s colours and bedecked with flags, and has been fitted with a huge monitor to beam the action. Life-size posters of France’s captain Zinedine Zidane will greet guests as they relish the match with French wine and food.

“We are expecting about 300 people for the event, but requests for bringing friends and their friends have not stopped,” an embassy official said. “It’s very exciting for us at the embassy and we are hoping for France to make it. We are ready to sport T-shirts with the French flag and support our country,” she said.

Meanwhile, Italians in Delhi hope to paint the town red by sporting blue, the colour of their national team. “We will have five big screens to watch the final. All through the World Cup, we’ve been getting together at the embassy on the days that Italy played,” an official at the Italian embassy said.

“It’s going to be the same for the final, but the excitement will be greater. It’s an informal get-together and we have pizzas, pasta and wine to add to the celebrations,” he said.