OpinionFifa World Cup final: echoes of Paris as Hong Kong’s French fanzone channels European celebrations a little too much

Whatever odds you were offered for a World Cup final between France and Croatia, you’d have got even longer odds on Hung Hom being the hottest ticket in town to watch it.

The crowds of France fans around the front entrance of the Kerry Hotel drinking cans and smoking hint otherwise. This is busier than most bars have been but nothing compared to upstairs. Hundreds are queuing to get into the Kerry Hotel ballroom for the Union des Francais de l’Etranger’s facsimile of a fanzone back in France.

The organisers say they had over 2,000 applications but had to cap it at 1,800. Estimates are that more than 1,500 have braved the rain and most of them seem to be trying to get in at the same time. As the non-profit’s volunteers try to maintain order, process new memberships and confirm reservations, those inside are getting their spots around three giant screens. The one closest to the only bars already has a vocal group bouncing in anticipation with an hour to go till kick-off and half an hour until the free-flow begins. It sounds like an away crowd at a football stadium – “Griez-mann, Griez-mann” – there will be voices among the things lost tonight.

While many are not old enough to remember the last World Cup triumph in any detail they know their way around a vintage France kit. The 1998 version, the one worn when the team last won the World Cup, is out in force: Zidane, Desailly and Lebouef on the backs. There are also Thierry Henry No 12 shirts from 2002, some ’80s retro tops and plenty of current shirts.

Downstairs in the hotel’s foodcourt/bar, a queue edges out of the doors as staff weave past carrying extra chairs. Inside, plenty of tables are reserved while those that are not are crowded. One has the familiar red and white checks of the Croatia shirt, where a handful of Croatians are watching the game.