World Cup hospitality returned as Algeria rolls out the welcome mat for a delegation from the US
Indeed, the smallest host city of a World Cup team and its university rolled out the welcome mat for Algeria.
- Even though not everyone who contributed to this welcome can make the trip, we carry with us Lawrence’s gratitude and kindness.” ___ See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.
- I love it.” The Kansas City metro area hosted several base camps during the World Cup, including Argentina, the Netherlands and England, while also hosting matches at Arrowhead Stadium.
- “It is an absolute honor for all of us to be here,” Meghan Bardwell, a detective for the city of Lawrence and a member of the delegation, told the French-Algerian news outlet LeLien upon arrival in the northwest African nation.
(AP) — The love affair that bloomed between the city of Lawrence and the country of Algeria while the college town in Kansas was hosting the Desert Foxes during the World Cup has continued with a delegation from the U.S.
The group spent part of Monday getting a view of Algeria from the Mediterranean Sea, which separates Africa from Europe and the nearby nation of Spain, and delegation members continued to post images on social media Tuesday.
- Local artist Sam Herd welcomed them by creating a giant Algerian flag out of mulch and sand, and members of the University of Kansas marching band took the time to learn Algeria's anthem, “Kassaman,” giving the team a sense of home upon its arrival some 5,000 miles away.
- Among those in the delegation are Lawrence Mayor Brad Finkeldei and other city officials; members of the University of Kansas band, faculty and staff; and officials from Elkader, Iowa, which is named for the Algerian leader, the late Emir Abdelkader.
- "This extraordinary invitation reflects the warmth and generosity that our entire community has shown to Algeria this summer,” Finkeldei told Le Jeune Independant, a prominent French-language Algerian newspaper.
- But the close connection that developed between Algeria and Lawrence, which lies about 30 minutes west of the city, captured the attention of a global audience during the tournament.
- Algeria lost its opening match to Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium, bounced back to beat Jordan, then drew with Austria in a thriller to earn a spot in the knockout rounds.
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