(Let us just preface this entry by stating that we realize we sort of suck at the whole blogging consistently thing. I don't know how people do it on the daily, especially when traveling and trying to jam an activity into every ounce of the day. Major props to those who can. Anyway, our week-long recap below...)
When last we blogged, there were still four teams in the running for the Cup, two who had won before (Uruguay and Germany) and two who had never won (Spain and the Netherlands). We desperately wanted a new champion and therefore very optimistically predicted a Spain-Netherlands final and couldn't be more delighted with this match-up. Whatever the outcome, the 2010 FIFA World Cup will yield a new champion and that means we will witness the rewriting of futbol history tomorrow. (Hopefully, it's written in Furia Roja ink and not Orange...)
Tuesday's semi-final match in the gorgeous, seaside Cape Town Stadium was a more rare display of high-scoring soccer ping-pong. The Netherlands was favored to beat Uruguay, but the 3-2 result definitely kept it interesting well into the final moments. To see Diego Forlan score a perfect goal and carry his team within inches of the final match was something else. He's rapidly become one of our favorite players to watch, which made Uruguay's loss to Germany this evening in the consolation match--another 3-2 nail-biter--even tougher to swallow. All in all, Uruguay (one of the smallest countries represented in the Cup) had a fantastic tournament and their striker Luis Suarez will undoubtedly be remembered for his controversial hand ball against Ghana in the quarter-final round--the play that could single-handedly (yes, pun intended. Pun always intended...) change the rules of soccer in Cups to come.
When last we blogged, there were still four teams in the running for the Cup, two who had won before (Uruguay and Germany) and two who had never won (Spain and the Netherlands). We desperately wanted a new champion and therefore very optimistically predicted a Spain-Netherlands final and couldn't be more delighted with this match-up. Whatever the outcome, the 2010 FIFA World Cup will yield a new champion and that means we will witness the rewriting of futbol history tomorrow. (Hopefully, it's written in Furia Roja ink and not Orange...)
Tuesday's semi-final match in the gorgeous, seaside Cape Town Stadium was a more rare display of high-scoring soccer ping-pong. The Netherlands was favored to beat Uruguay, but the 3-2 result definitely kept it interesting well into the final moments. To see Diego Forlan score a perfect goal and carry his team within inches of the final match was something else. He's rapidly become one of our favorite players to watch, which made Uruguay's loss to Germany this evening in the consolation match--another 3-2 nail-biter--even tougher to swallow. All in all, Uruguay (one of the smallest countries represented in the Cup) had a fantastic tournament and their striker Luis Suarez will undoubtedly be remembered for his controversial hand ball against Ghana in the quarter-final round--the play that could single-handedly (yes, pun intended. Pun always intended...) change the rules of soccer in Cups to come.
Wednesday's semi-final match in Durban pitted Spain against Germany in one of the most phenomenally paced and controlled games we’ve seen. As Albas, we were fully behind Spain but admit that we were also very scared of the Germans that could not be underestimated after what they had done to Argentina. Luckily, we had Paul the psychic octopus on our side (which Loreli attributes as one of the main reasons Spain actually won...In Paul we trust...). Spain impressed with their consistent possession and impenetrable defense. Carlos Puyol’s late header goal sealed the deal and thanks to Iker Casillas’ unbelievable goal-keeping, the Germans couldn’t convert, sending Spain to the Cup final for the first time ever.(The Dutch have been in the twice before, but have never won)
We often wonder how the players must be feeling when we can't even sleep the night before a big match. I’m sure tonight will be no different. The World Cup final is the most-watched sporting event on the planet. If you’re not watching it, your neighbor definitely is, since 1 of every 2 humans will be watching tomorrow with baited breath until that final whistle is blown. But as excited as we are, the final--though glorious and ultimately the point of all of this month-long madness--also means that this is it. It’s over. For now. Which also means, it’s back to the countdown...four more years until you can expect to hear from us from one of the most futbol-obsessed countries in the world: Brasil. Tomorrow will be one of the most bittersweet days in our young lives. If Spain wins, the scale will definitely be tipped sweet-wise. If not, then we have even more to look forward to next time around. Either way, we will look back at this Cup as one of the best with the host country very prominently at the helm of its success.
South Africa is indescribably beautiful. You really have to come here to see and experience the wonder this emerging country holds. For us, just thinking about how far this nation has come in the last twenty years and learning about Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary leadership and courage has already left more indelible marks than any soccer game ever could.
(Below are some pictures of the sights of Cape Town, including Table Mountain, the wineries in Stellenbosch and the Cape of Good Hope)
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