Fans brave winter to welcome Uruguay home
Reuters - Tuesday 13 July 2010, 22:58
MONTEVIDEO - Uruguay's World Cup team
received a hero's welcome home on Tuesday as tens of thousands
of cheering flag-waving fans lined the streets of Montevideo.
Football-mad Uruguayans waited for hours in cold winter
temperatures to see the bus transporting the players pass by,
and President Jose Mujica offered a tribute in front of fans
gathered in the centre of the capital.
"We are moved, but mostly thankful, very thankful. These
boys deserve recognition, but this has surpassed all that could
be imagined," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez told the crowd.
Uruguay's run to fourth place in the tournament was one of
the surprises of the World Cup, giving the small South American
nation its best showing in four decades.
Patricia Rodriguez, 24, wrapped in a Uruguay flag and with
her face painted, was undeterred by the chilly conditions.
"I cannot feel my feet because of the cold, but the only
thing that matters today is showing the players we are proud of
them and to say thanks," she said.
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