Fireworks fly as Spain celebrates
Reuters - Sunday 11 July 2010, 22:36
MADRID - Tears of joy fell, fireworks
exploded in the night sky and voices went hoarse in Spain after
ecstatic fans watched their team beat Netherlands 1-0 to win the
World Cup final for the first time on Sunday.
Andres Iniesta's goal deep into extra time sparked the
celebrations and many of the thousands watching the game at
giant outdoor fan zones around the country burst into tears.
"It's well deserved. They are a very close team of players,"
Julio told Reuters in Madrid as supporters hit the streets to
celebrate.
"Spain tried to play football and Holland only tried
to kick them," he added.
Over 100,000 people flocked into the centre of Madrid to
watch the game on giant screens, faces painted in red and gold
with flags wrapped round their shoulders, and the tense nature
of the game made the outpouring of emotions stronger at the end.
After Spain's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas lifted
the trophy in Johannesburg the parties got into full swing.
Impromptu fireworks displays could be heard all over Madrid,
cars screeched through the streets with flags flapping and
Spaniards young and old joined the party.
Children looked slightly bemused while some of the older
ones seemed lost for words.
"We've been waiting years for something like this (at the
World Cup), said Miguel. "They are a real team and they deserve
it. Iniesta was the man of the match."
Amidst the wild celebrations a solitary Dutch fan called
Anoushka, dressed in an orange dress, said: "I didn't like the
way Netherlands played, Spain deserved to win."
Spain are expected to return to Madrid on Monday and will
have an open top bus parade around the capital in the evening
before a giant party on the banks of the river Manzanares.
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