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Peru: Watching the World Cup Finale from Afar

Written byGabriela García Calderón

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Read this post in Español, Italiano, বাংলা
Posted 12 July 2010 17:41 GMT

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa ended on Sunday July 11. It was a month full of football all around the world. Peruvian fans had to make do with watching the tournament from afar. And now they are celebrating Spain as the new champion.

In the main square in Lima (Plaza de Armas) this screen broadcasted football matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Image by Flickr user Aram Kudurshian used under a Creative Commons license

Omar Velarde, from the blog Tiempo extra [es] posted very briefly:

Con un agónico gol de Andrés Iniesta, España se consagró campeón por primera véz en su historia al vencer por 1 a 0 a Holanda. El ‘Soccer City’ de Johanesburgo se tiñó de rojo al ver la algarabía de ‘la furia’ .

With a heart-stopping goal from Andrés Iniesta, Spain established itself as champion for the first time in history by defeating Netherlands 1-0. Johannesburg's ‘Soccer City’ turned red while watching ‘la furia's ‘ [‘the fury’, a nickname for the Spanish football team] extreme enthusiasm.

The blog En la cancha Perú [es], analyzed the finale from a historic perspective:

Los ibéricos fueron superiores a lo largo del trámite y volvieron a exhibir su claridad, estilo y buen manejo de pelota ante unos holandeses combativos y batalladores. El partido decisivo, disputado en el Estadio Soccer City de Johannesburgo el 11 de julio, fue el tercero que se definió en la prórroga luego de Italia 1934, Inglaterra 1966 y Argentina 1978. La Furia Roja vive su momento de gloria e inscribe así su nombre en el trofeo más codiciado del fútbol. Para Países Bajos, fue su tercera final perdida, tras Alemania 1974 y Argentina 1978.

The Iberians were better along the game and exhibited once again their clearness, style and good ball handling before the combative and fighting Dutch. The decisive match, played at Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 11th,was the third to be decided in extra time after the Italy World Cup in 1934, the England World Cup in 1966 and the Argentina World Cup in 1978. The Furia Roja (Red Fury) is having its glorious moment and has written its name in the most coveted football trophy. For the Netherlands, it was their third lost finale, after the Germany World Cup in 1974 and the Argentina World Cup in 1978.

Even some Spanish national symbols were affected by this football fan euphoria, as noted by the blogger from Fulbito y fulvaso [es]:

En España hay devoción al pulpo Paul, ese molusco que acabó por vaticinar el triunfo de la selección española sobre Holanda en la final del Mundial. Tanta, que en la embajada peruana apareció un curioso emblema: la bandera del país ibérico modificada, con un pulpo como escudo.

In Spain, they are devoted to Octopus Paul, that mollusk that ended foreshadowing the victory of the Spanush national team over the Dutch at the World Cup finale. So devoted, that in the Spanish embassy in Peru, a curiuos emblem appeared: a modified flag of the Iberic country, with an octopus as the shield.

Finally, women let their voices be heard. From the blog Otras tardes [es], we read a very different overview of the World Cup in general, spiced up with nice pictures:

El mundial no debe vivirse desde un único punto de vista. A algunas mujeres les gusta el fútbol, a otras no, pero aún así las poco o nada interesadas en este deporte pueden entretenerse viendo a los jugadores más guapos, atléticos y sexys del mundo. Además hay para todos los gustos. Veamos quienes son los que llaman más la atención.

The World Cup must not be seen from a single point of view. Some women like football, some don't, but nonetheless those who are not that or not at all interested in this sport can be amused by watching the most handsome, athletic and sexy players from all around the world. Moreover, there is enough to suit all tastes. Let's take  a look at the ones who draw the most attention.

The 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup is over. We'll have to wait four years to see what surprises await us in the Brazil FIFA World Cup 2014.

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Written byGabriela García Calderón

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