Reed and I watched the game on huge TV screens mounted on the walls at our favorite local restaurant, Sinfones. From our apartment shortly after 9:00 AM, we were surprised to hear rise up our stairwell the unmistakable, triumphant shout of "Goooool." The source was TV in the building's lobby, where we knew Victor (our building guard) was watching the game. That first goal occurred just twenty-nine seconds into the game!
After quick showers, we hustled to Sinfones for a late breakfast. Mexico's win is not to be under-estimated. Our host country is reeling not only from drug war violence but a presidential transition that is challenging Mexico's democratic institutions to their core.
Fútbol, Soccer, is special to Mexico. The ball game is at the very heart of Mexico's prehispanic past. Indelibly imprinted in my imagination is an image of a local soccer player decked out in fireworks who was burned in effigy as part of Pátzcuaro's traditional Quema de Juda (Burning of Judas) held just after nightfall on Easter Sunday. I was persuaded then that Mexicans take their soccer very seriously!
Mexico's win over Brazil, a team that has dominated the sport, is hence doubly sweet!
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| Hundreds of Soccer Fans Celebrate Mexico's Olympic Gold 2-1 Win Over Brazil Photo: AP |
Mexico City • At the traffic circle surrounding the monument of the Angel of Independence, a green and black tide ran first from one side then to another, then in circles shouting, "México! México!" Other fans jumped and shouted out defiant taunts like:
"Where are they now? Where are those Brazilians who were going to win?"Amid a din of whistles, rattles and trumpets celebrating Mexico's historic, first-ever Olympic Gold Medal Soccer Win in London, Juan Carlos shouted:
"Thank you, Oribe (Peralta), our hero, thank you for this joy that you give us, for those two goals that you gave us!"Another fan, on the verge of tears, shouted while waving the Mexican flag:
"We are here for (goalkeeper) Corona, for those stops he made!"
On a cold, wet morning in Mexico's capital city, the streets looked deserted at 9:00 AM as citizens stayed home to watch the game.
The authorities have put in place a significant capital security operation to prevent possible riots. Other cities such as Guadalajara and Monterrey are also reporting victory celebrations in the streets. Spanish original
The authorities have put in place a significant capital security operation to prevent possible riots. Other cities such as Guadalajara and Monterrey are also reporting victory celebrations in the streets. Spanish original
CNNMexico (Excerpt): Mexico's presumptive president-elect Enrique Peña Nieto sent a message to the Mexico team's players via his Twitter account:
“With an attitude of triumph, determination and perseverance, you demonstrate that "¡Sí, se puede!"--"Yes, it is possible!"Spanish original (full text)
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