On Tuesday evening, Bosnian fans gathered at Seattle Center, the plaza by the Space Needle — Seattle’s main landmark, built for the 1962 World’s Fair — to support their national team at the World Cup. The venue (Seattle Center) is traditionally used for major public events such as festivals, concerts, and cultural showcases, so the location was chosen for good reason. And while no one in the crowd complained about a lack of energy, the organizers decided to play it safe: they set up a giant džezva — a copper coffee pot — listed in the Guinness Book of Records. From it, they poured 8,000 cups of real Bosnian coffee to give fans a boost ahead of the decisive match against Qatar.
Bosnian coffee, as Balkan locals themselves admit, is often confused with Turkish coffee, but it isn’t the same thing. The beans are ground into a fine powder and brewed in a copper džezva using a secret recipe that the company Vispak has kept for many years. “Our coffee is much stronger than American drip coffee,” explains one of the fans. And adding milk to it is — for aficionados of tradition — almost an insult. Bosnians drink it several times a day, and it isn’t just a beverage, but an excuse to get together with family or friends.
To understand the depth of feeling in the Bosnian diaspora, it’s worth recalling the country’s history. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, which led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and a brutal interethnic war. One especially painful chapter was the Srebrenica massacre, where thousands of Muslim men and boys were killed. The 1995 Dayton Accords stopped the bloodshed, but the wounds remained. That’s why for many Bosnians living abroad, supporting the national team is not just sport, but an expression of national pride.
In the United States, the Bosnian community numbers in the tens of thousands, with the largest center in St. Louis. From there, as well as from Atlanta and other cities, people came to Seattle to watch the match in person. That said, Seattle itself also has a significant Bosnian diaspora — especially in the Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley neighborhoods, where there are Bosnian restaurants and cultural centers. Many locals came to the event by the Space Needle as well. “We drink coffee in the morning, at midday, and in the evening,” one fan smiles. “And today we especially need to perk up.” The massive džezva has become a symbol of unity: it has already traveled more than 3,500 miles from St. Louis to Seattle through Canada, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles.
“All for our country, for our people,” says Mirza Sabich, a representative of the organizing company. “If we beat Qatar, we’ll face the United States in San Francisco. Then you’ll see us there too.” Fans are optimistic: “Maybe 2-0 in our favor? You never know.” And even if predictions don’t always come true, one thing is clear — Bosnian coffee and the diaspora’s support made this evening in Seattle unforgettable.
Based on: Bosnian fans’ fuel for Seattle World Cup game: 8,000 cups of coffee