DETROIT (AP) — World Cup fever is alive in one “Go Dutch”-chanting Michigan city.

Civic officials and business owners in Holland, Mich., expect a high volume of fans to pour into bars Sunday to cheer on their namesake nation in the World Cup final against Spain.

“I think there will be added interest in coming to watch Holland play in Holland, Michigan,” Mayor Kurt Dykstra said Friday.

With a large population of Dutch-Americans in Holland, the World Cup has cultural significance to many soccer fans in the community along Lake Michigan, Dykstra said.

Holland also celebrates its Dutch heritage each year in May at the Tulip Time Festival. The weeklong event features parades, Dutch dance performances, food and trolley tours.

Sophia Leongas, owner of the Curragh Irish Pub in Holland, said she’s received several calls from out-of-towners who want to come watch the game at her bar.

“We definitely have a lot of Dutch fans,” Leongas said. “It’s been very exciting.”

Leongas said she has added big screen TVs to the bar and plans to offer drink specials on game day.

The New Holland Brewing Company also will welcome fans to watch the game on Sunday. Manager Shawna Cantu said she expects guests from Chicago to travel to Holland and celebrate there.

Hundreds of young soccer fans will also gather Sunday to watch the World Cup at Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland. The youth are part of the Hope College Soccer Camp.

Residents say their hopes are high that Holland will beat Spain. The Dutch have come close before, but didn’t win the title in 1974 and 1978, losing in the final to host teams West Germany and Argentina.

That makes Sunday’s game a must-win, said Ad van den Akker, a Netherlands native who immigrated to Holland, Mich., in 1995. Van den Akker, a soccer fan, said he plans to watch the game with his family.

“With a little bit of luck, we are going to win this,” said van den Akker, 54. “And that’s the feeling that’s been around town.”

Copy the Story Link