Ecstatic Ivory Coast football fans poured into the streets of Paris following their 2-1 AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) final triumph over Nigeria on February 11th.
This was the Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title success and their first since 2015, and as the host nation they didn’t disappoint – coming from a goal down to beat one of the tournaments favourites Nigeria.
Having witnessed the jubilant celebrations in Paris as Lés Éléphants reached the semi-finals, local photographer Alexey Dymarskiy was hot on the scene to capture the colourful and vibrant celebrations.
“In football culture, I like the spirit of the old school. It kind of recreates the feeling I had as a child. I like football for the pure emotions it allows, how simple its main principle is: ‘Us against the enemy’. It’s like being thrown into a cage for two hours of play, where the laws of animals operate, and then it all ends, and you’re a normal person again.”
Alexey Dymarskiy
“My name is Alexey Dymarskiy, I’m from Moscow, but currently I’m in Paris. I saw how fans of the Ivory Coast national team celebrated on the streets of Paris after reaching the semi-finals, and I thought there would be a great atmosphere if they won. I enjoy the energy of the crowd, and I had already missed something similar I shot these with a Contax G2 film camera with a flash and the cheapest Kodak film.
“I have been supporting Moscow Spartak since childhood. My earliest memories are probably from the late 80s, early 90s. Like many, I started supporting them unconsciously – thanks to my dad and grandfather. My grandfather was a sports commentator in the Soviet Union, close friends with many Spartak players, so I didn’t have a choice!
“My first football idols were the players of that Spartak Moscow team of the 90s. This was the first generation that I saw on the field at a conscious age, and they were really good! From Cherenkov, Rodionov to Titov and Tikhonov. In the late 90s, I lived in Paris and had the chance to see live games of players like Raí, Ronaldinho, George Weah, and I think the players of that PSG team, under Luis Fernández, also influenced me with their approach to the game.
“Spartak is a connection to my roots, family traditions, an invisible connection to everyone who cares about the red-and-white colours.
“In football culture, I like the spirit of the old school. I love old stadiums and shooting them on film. It kind of recreates the feeling I had as a child. I like football for the pure emotions it allows, how simple its main principle is: ‘Us against the enemy’. It’s like being thrown into a cage for two hours of play, where the laws of animals operate, and then it all ends, and you’re a normal person again.
“Ultras and hooligan culture in Russia is very popular. When you love football, it’s easy to find a friend who regularly goes to the terrace…!
“I’m greatly inspired by the classics of street photography. I really like Martin Parr‘s ironic gaze. Boogie, with whom we met during his work on Moscow photographs, also influenced me with his attitude to the craft. But in general, music has always been one of the strongest sources of inspiration for me – from punk to techno, hip-hop, and reggae – anything that plays with the subconscious or sounds interesting.
“With football – both on and off the field, there’s always something happening. You’re always in action.”
Keep up with Alexey and his work on Instagram.
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