River fans party around the world
Monday 09 June 2008 14:37
The presumptuous barra brava had the fireworks ready. And with 10 minutes to go, River Plate's jam-packed Monumental stadium erupted in flame.
In the penultimate game of the season the Millionarios extended their lead over Estudiantes and won the Clausura championship; the second half of the Argentine season.
Playing lowly Olimpo, Diego Buonanotte put River ahead on 15 minutes after a goal mouth scramble. But the game was far from over and a determined Olimpo piled the pressure on Ortega's team. 21-minutes into the second half Olimpo equalised and River's fans began to foresee another disappointing night.
Buonanotte edges River ahead against Olimpo
Over in La Plata, meanwhile, Estudiantes' supporters were ecstatic at the news. Their team were playing Colon at exactly the same time and, with River drawing, the title would not be decided for another week.
But they were soon silenced a few minutes later with the news of another Buonanotte goal.
At full time, with the party already in full flow, River's players along with coach Diego Simeone disappeared into the changing rooms to watch the five minutes of extra time in La Plata.
As they watched Veron put his head in his hands after only drawing 0-0, they returned to the pitch swamped by the media and partied like it was 1999, and erm, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
After the disappointment of losing the Superclasico against Boca and crashing out of the Copa Libertadores against San Lorenzo, all was now forgotten. Fans who were up until a week ago still throwing maize at the 'chicken' players as they ran out were now climbing the fence and throwing fireworks.
It was what is known in Buenos Aires as a 'Descontrol total'. It even extended as far as Neuquen a 15 hour drive away and Barcelona.
Ortega hoists trophy to get global party started
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