polpot
07-08-2010, 05:35 AM
http://wc2010.ahram.org.eg/en/news/english-german-and-spanishfans-came-together-in-the-neutral-venue-of-cairo/
Opposing Spanish and German fans come together at Cairo’s neutral Swiss Club
Cairo’s Swiss Club was the neutral venue for Spanish and German fans last night as they descended in their hundreds to watch their respective national teams pitch for a place the World Cup 2010 final, in a rematch of the 2008 European Championship that Spain won.
At first glance it looked as if wasn’t the place to be a Spain supporter with the sea of Bratwurst munching German fans outnumbering them by a minimum of a 50- 1. Despite numbers pre-match nervousness was evident from the faces of both sides’ fans.
If the jitters weren’t enough for German fans, they also had to contend with the oracle like prediction of soothsaying octopus Paul hanging over their heads. The psychic eight limbed sea creature had successfully predicted the winner in every game Germany had played so far. When he made an appearance on the Swiss Club’s big screen it was all the German fans could do to contain their angst in his prediction of a Spanish victory. Amid the boos and hisses one German fan joked that if the squids prophesy came true then he should be served up as calamari.
Kurt from the German town of Essen travelled all the way from Rehab City to watch his national side. Though not a major soccer supporter, more a fair weather fan he said “We have gained confidence from our previous victories over the arch-enemy England and Argentina. But if we meet Holland in the final then it will be war”
Even Egyptians were caught up the fever that surrounded the semi-final. Amr, an engineer from Cairo, and a Spain fan through and through was sporting his adopted nations strip and waxing how he loved Spain’s game-play, remarking how the style of the Spanish side is close to that of his favourites Barcelona. Another Cairene Mohra, face painted in the Spanish colours and in love with all things Spanish was adamant that her team of choice would secure victory in their effort.
For much of the game, three-time champions Germany sat back and waited patiently to snuff out Spain’s attack, hoping to launch a counter-attack that worked against England and Argentina, but rarely took off in Durban.
Then it came, like a bull, Carles Puyol rocketed Spain into the lead with a 73rd-minute header and Spain fans erupted in a chorus of “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ol-e!” and danced in Flamenco style.
When the final whistle blew the tiny oasis of Spanish fans beaming with a matador’s confidence revelled in sinking what had seemed up until then an unsinkable German battleship. The fiesta began as Spaniards partied like there was no mañana to chants of “Es-pan- a! Es-pan-a! Vi-va Es-pan-a!
Not sour but lamenting Joachim Loew’s young Übermensch the German fans left en masse in a mood of despondency with the consolation of a match for third place against Uruguay on Saturday.
Pól Ó Géibheannaigh
Opposing Spanish and German fans come together at Cairo’s neutral Swiss Club
Cairo’s Swiss Club was the neutral venue for Spanish and German fans last night as they descended in their hundreds to watch their respective national teams pitch for a place the World Cup 2010 final, in a rematch of the 2008 European Championship that Spain won.
At first glance it looked as if wasn’t the place to be a Spain supporter with the sea of Bratwurst munching German fans outnumbering them by a minimum of a 50- 1. Despite numbers pre-match nervousness was evident from the faces of both sides’ fans.
If the jitters weren’t enough for German fans, they also had to contend with the oracle like prediction of soothsaying octopus Paul hanging over their heads. The psychic eight limbed sea creature had successfully predicted the winner in every game Germany had played so far. When he made an appearance on the Swiss Club’s big screen it was all the German fans could do to contain their angst in his prediction of a Spanish victory. Amid the boos and hisses one German fan joked that if the squids prophesy came true then he should be served up as calamari.
Kurt from the German town of Essen travelled all the way from Rehab City to watch his national side. Though not a major soccer supporter, more a fair weather fan he said “We have gained confidence from our previous victories over the arch-enemy England and Argentina. But if we meet Holland in the final then it will be war”
Even Egyptians were caught up the fever that surrounded the semi-final. Amr, an engineer from Cairo, and a Spain fan through and through was sporting his adopted nations strip and waxing how he loved Spain’s game-play, remarking how the style of the Spanish side is close to that of his favourites Barcelona. Another Cairene Mohra, face painted in the Spanish colours and in love with all things Spanish was adamant that her team of choice would secure victory in their effort.
For much of the game, three-time champions Germany sat back and waited patiently to snuff out Spain’s attack, hoping to launch a counter-attack that worked against England and Argentina, but rarely took off in Durban.
Then it came, like a bull, Carles Puyol rocketed Spain into the lead with a 73rd-minute header and Spain fans erupted in a chorus of “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ol-e!” and danced in Flamenco style.
When the final whistle blew the tiny oasis of Spanish fans beaming with a matador’s confidence revelled in sinking what had seemed up until then an unsinkable German battleship. The fiesta began as Spaniards partied like there was no mañana to chants of “Es-pan- a! Es-pan-a! Vi-va Es-pan-a!
Not sour but lamenting Joachim Loew’s young Übermensch the German fans left en masse in a mood of despondency with the consolation of a match for third place against Uruguay on Saturday.
Pól Ó Géibheannaigh