Calcutta: The battle has begun in Russia and campuses across the city are all geared up to cheer their teams.
From match screenings and bets to jinxes, the students are literally having a ball. Metro visits three campuses to check out the Cup craze.
Jadavpur University
The students have organised open-for-all screening of the matches in the Worldview area of the campus.
Favourites: The verdict is split between Argentina and Germany.
Syamantakshobhan Basu, an English MPhil scholar, will root for the defending champions. So will Soumyaneel Dasgupta and Priti Roy of comparative literature, fans of Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer.
Soumik Sengupta and Shreyashi Dasgupta of comparative literature are banking on Leo Messi to take home the Cup after more than 30 years. Shreyashi plans to have her hair coloured with streaks of blue, while Soumik is on the lookout for an Argentina flag-themed wig.
Jinx: Soumyaneel does not mind watching matches of other teams on the campus but will watch Germany's games only at home. "I have to sit on this particular sofa to make Germany win," said the Dhakuria resident.
Soumyaneel also has a deal with best friend Soumik. They are hoping for a Germany-Argentina clash in the knockout stage. The losing fan will have to take the victor to a fancy dinner.
St Xavier's
The institute is closed for semester break but the students plan to meet up to root for their favourite teams.
Favourites: There is no clear winner. Tishyo Aich, a third-year undergraduate student of microbiology, is a staunch supporter of Argentina because of Messi. His friend from the physics department, Dattatreyo Guha, will cheer for Neymar's Brazil.
Jinx: Watching the match without the team jersey and not shaving is Tishyo's card. "Shaving and wearing the blue-and-white jersey has not brought good results. I still rue the last final where I did both," Tishyo said.
Dattareya makes sure he dons the Brazil jersey whenever the Selecao take the field.
Presidency University
The students plan to screen the big matches on the campus despite the busy schedule of summer internships and entrance examinations.
Favourites: Brazil is the clear favourite here. "Brazil is pure passion," said Shuvojeet Sarkar, a history student. Soham Sarkar of mathematics and Manjaree Das of political science echoed him. They are looking for a comeback - after the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany last time.
Argentina is the first choice of Pritam Chakraborty, an undergraduate student of statistics and an avid Mohun Bagan supporter.
Jinx: Manjaree makes sure she wears yellow whenever Brazil is playing. Soham watches the match on any TV set but the one in his room.
