SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - WORLD CUP - Spain fans celebrate first World Cup title

Record ID: 454984

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - WORLD CUP - Spain fans celebrate first World Cup title
  • Date: 12th July 2010
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 11, 2010) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) FANS LEAVING THE STADIUM WITH FIREWORKS IN THE BACKGROUND FIREWORKS OVER THE STADIUM FANS WATCHING FIREWORKS OVER THE STADIUM FIREWORKS SOUTH AFRICANS IN SPANISH COLOURS CHEERING FOR SPAIN SPANISH FANS BLOWING VUVZELA AND CHEERING (SOUNDBITE) ( Spanish) SPANISH FAN SAYING: "We are very happy with the victory, we are very lucky guys, the players played really well, it was fantastic. We would like to thank South Africa for supporting Spain in the last few weeks. Viva Espana (Long live Spain)." SPANISH FANS CHEERING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH FAN DAVID SAYING: "They were great. Iniesta is just the greatest, and Casillas played a great game." SPANISH FAN WRAPPED IN A FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOUTH AFRICAN SPAIN FAN JAY NAIDOO SAYING: "I am from South Africa" (Why are you supporting Spain?) "Because my team was knocked out and the best team on show is Spain." (Why are they the best team on show?) "It is the first time in Africa, the first time for Spain, so it's the first time for everybody." DUTCH FANS WITH CHEESE ON THEIR HEADS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANGRY DUTCH FAN SAYING: "I think it was really bad, I think Howard Webb was completely corrupt, the guy is corrupted, he took money, the guy is way off target, he doesn't know he is influenced by everybody... he immediately comes over and influences the game -- and finishes the game -- and that's it, FIFA will have to look at this." ANGRY FAN WALKS OUT OF SHOT VARIOUS OF DUTCH FANS FIGHTING AMONGST THEMSELVES POLICE INTERVENING BETWEEN DUTCH FANS
  • Embargoed: 27th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAIZ9CILS24GEI1M0VOY6LZC4V
  • Story Text: Spanish soccer fans celebrate their first World Cup title after their team beats the Netherlands 1-0 in extra-time in the final played at Soccer City, while Dutch fans go home disappointed.
    Spanish soccer fans celebrated their team's first World Cup triumph after Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday (July 11).
    The match at Soccer City was a bruising encounter with 13 yellow cards and the dismissal of Dutchman John Heitinga for bringing down Iniesta ten minutes from the end of extra-time. Six minutes later, Iniesta sealed the win with a close range right-foot shot following a pass by Cesc Fabregas.
    "They were great. Iniesta is just the greatest, and Casillas played a great game," said one fan, David.
    "We are very happy with the victory, we are very lucky guys, the players played really well, it was fantastic. We would like to thank South Africa for supporting Spain in the last few weeks. Viva Espana (Long live Spain)," said another.
    Spain have now become the third country to simultaneously hold the World Cup and European Championship titles, having beaten Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final. West Germany won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup two years later, while France won the World Cup in 1998 and the European title in 2000.
    South Africans also came out in force to support the Spanish in their fight for the title.
    "Because my team was knocked out and the best team on show is Spain," said Jay Naidoo. "It is the first time in Africa, the first time for Spain, so it's the first time for everybody."
    The defeat was heartbreaking for the Dutch who have now lost all three World Cup finals they have played in, having also been defeated in 1974 and 1978.
    "I think it was really bad, I think Howard Webb was completely corrupt, the guy is corrupted, he took money, the guy is way off target, he doesn't know he is influenced by everybody... he immediately comes over and influences the game -- and finishes the game -- and that's it, FIFA will have to look at this," said one angry fan.
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