Amzad, a resident of Ghoramara village in Magura, is stunned and mourning after his favourites – Germany – were knocked out of the ongoing 2018 Fifa World Cup in the group stages. Amzad’s enthusiasm for Die Mannschaft made the rounds after he made a 3km long German flag in the last World Cup and a 5.5km German flag for this World Cup.
During the last World Cup, Amzad used his own savings and borrowed money to make a 3km-long flag. Since Bangladeshis are mostly known for their football craze to be centred on Brazil and Argentina, Amzad’s fondness for Germany stood out. This year, he sold off his land to make the flag.
Amzad from Sadar upazila in Magura stands beside his German flag | Dhaka Tribune
After the German vs South Korea game on Wednesday night, there was pin drop silence at Amzad’s home on Thursday. Nasir, his son informed the Dhaka Tribune that his father could not eat anything that night and barely ate anything the next morning.
Neighbours used to go to Amzad’s house to watch the matches. But after mourning descended upon the house, everyone is shying away, some out of sympathy, others out of concern for Amzad’s well-being.
On Thursday afternoon, Amzad came out to speak. With tears in his eyes, he said: “I hoped Germany would be the champion. I never imagined they would be knocked out from the first rounds. I mean, they were the champions from the last tournament!”
When asked what he would do with the flag, Amzad replied: “I do not know if I will be alive in four years. I will hand the flag to the German embassy.”
Nasir, his son, said: “Our house was filled with life. The flag brought journalists from around the world, members from the German embassy, and thousands of visitors to our house. Now, only silence reigns over the house. It feels like someone has died.”
