Thursday, July 22, 2010

Denied (again) or postponed for 2014: World Cup victory celebration in the Netherlands

It would have been historic! It would have been amazingly great! And I would have been part of it. Had the Dutch team won the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

After booking a ticket in the finals by beating Paraguay in the semifinals, the Netherlands came to a great anticipation mood. Days leading to the final game against Spain were a drag. It was one of those longest five (5) days in history of the Netherlands. People busied themselves with just anything. But primary to their minds was the final match, the dreaded and exciting Sunday match of reckoning.

Then, the day dawned. Each second of time synchronized with the beating of millions of Dutch hearts. Stories had been told and shared. Twice in history, the Netherlands came so close to winning the most prestigious football cup in the world. This time, people were telling different stories. They seemed to be ready for another history in the making. It was a beautiful and special day.

The country breathed in orange. TVs were set. Beers were chilling in the fridge. Centrums were packed with orange-clad people congregating in front of wide-screen monitors. Bars, cafes, and restaurants were tuned in to unmistakably world cup bee-like sound of vulvuzuelas.

Shouts and claps for each Dutch player. But some players were more equal than others. People sang mightily and heartily the national anthem.

The game started.

It was clear that this match was going to be close. People were waiting for that one strong hurrah where they could release all the built-up emotions. First half was tense.

Second half was more straining to nerves as both teams had chances of scoring goals. The hurrah and jump were always subdued by the missed opportunities. It ended with sighs.

Extra time. It was a prolonged emotional strain. Then, a goal, by the other side. It pushed down the screams inside. But some more time left, hope was diminishing, vanishing as the time expired.

For the first time in the tournament. No goal. No hurrahs. No release of excited emotions. It was an involution of disbelief, sigh of a nation denied again.

As it is said, the loser in the championship match has the worst feeling of losing.

There is yet another chance in 2014. It may be another long wait, but a worthy wait for a victory celebration.

2 comments:

  1. During World Cup, there were air of excitement everywhere...

    I watched World Cup even if I am not big fan of football and usualy do not watch much sport on TV. But since Netherland was going to challenge the final, I secretly supported :) after beating Japan. (because I am Japanese national but my loved one is in Netherand. hummm...)

    Here in Singapore, I saw many people joined the bet during World Cup. That was why even if chef in a restaurant, he pump his fist into the air when team he supported scored a goal while he was cooking and seems like he was concentrating his work. Asides from game, people were so excited because of bet.

    I will watch this game 4 years from now somewhere in the world :) I will see and feel this excitement again.

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  2. yes, there was a global excitement. try watching it with someone you love.. you'll have twice the excitement and fun.. goodluck..

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