15-JUNE-2014 Argentina invasion is on in Rio, whether host nation likes it or not. RIO DE JANIERO – By the time the dilapidated RV hauled away, by the time everyone came down from the trees, by the time the horns and drums were lugged off the beach, by the time the buzz from all the fernet con cocas started to wear off, by the time the Policia dispersed, it was clear: This was Argentinas Woodstock. Perhaps the greatest soccer celebration in the nations post-1986 history took place on Saturday afternoon, and it happened on the sands of the hated enemy. Maybe it happened because it was on the sands of the hated enemy. It was Argentina in Rio, said Alejandro OReilly of Buenos Aires, grinning wide. What was covered in Brazil yellow and green for the FanFest at Copacabana on Thursday was plastered in sky blue and white here on this sunny afternoon. Just about anyone who wasnt wearing the team jersey wasnt wearing any shirt at all. The bash spilled out into the streets, and police had to surround the mob, as if a true invasion was occurring. (There was even a Falkland Islands flag spotted.) A reported 4,000 fans showed up. It wasnt just the notorious soccer hooligans, or barras. There were rich fans, poor fans, and plenty of families – all waving flags or wrapping flags around their heads (or both). Songs echoed along the beachside buildings, all dotted with Brazil flags. Word of the party reached all the way to the team press conference at Maracana stadium, where Lionel Messi and his compatriots will face Bosnia-Herzegovina Sunday night in the teams opening match. When told of the mob on the beach, goalie Sergio Romeros eyes went wide in amazement. Coach Alejandro Sabella simply said to tell the fans, Thank you. We have such high hopes this time around, said Alexis Hoffman, 40, who brought his 8-year-old son Pedro to the beach Saturday. We believe we have the best fixture, the best draw in many, many World Cups. We dont cross Brazil or Spain until the semifinals. [Related: Argentine soccer fans get rowdy in Rio ] The contrast with the vibe Brazil fans are feeling is notable. There is a bit of a cloud hanging over this. There are the protests, then there is the fact that the defense didnt play all that well in the opener on Thursday against Croatia, and then there is the weight of the past: Brazil was notoriously upset by Uruguay in the final in 1950 – the last time the World Cup was played here. Meanwhile, the Argentines are exultant, even though fan favorite Carlos Tevez was shockingly left off the roster this time around. A lot of people drove up for the party (including the vintage 1970s RV with the flags flying from its antennas) and many arrived here without tickets to a single match. Its hardly a home stand for Argentina, but the idea of facing Brazil for the World Cup title in its own sacred temple is too delicious not to think about. If Argentina and Brazil go to the finals, Hoffman said, the ghosts of 1950 will be hovering all over the place. If we win, it would be tragic for Brazil – too devastating for them to deal with. And for me it would be the best thing in my life. It would also be the best thing in Messis life, and the most needed. He is arguably the best player in the world, and yet in Argentina hes polarizing. He is not overly emotional, not overly expressive, and not overly successful in his national jersey. On Saturday, the team was asked to bring one player to the pre-match press conference, and the obvious choice was No. 10. [Related: Messi: Compare me to Maradona when Ive won the World Cup ]
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 07:40:57 +0000
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