Fan-demonium rules day
Spanish fans celebrate their World Cup victory at The Living Room pub in Dublin last night. Picture: Kenneth O'Halloran
VIVA la Espana! The cheers rang out across Ireland last night as Spanish fans celebrated their country's first victory in the World Cup.
Fans hugged each other and cried with delight when Andres Iniesta scored a goal well into extra time to give Spain the coveted cup for first time.
Hundreds of soccer fans of all nationalities packed into the Barge pub in Dublin 2 last night to witness the historic occasion.
Both Dutch and Spanish fans stood side-by-side watching the nerve-racking game, each praying their team would win the prestigious tournament.
The venue erupted into glass-shattering cheers when the Spanish side finally secured a goal and the score sheet changed to 1-0.
Dutch fans stared in disbelief at the big screens as their dreams of winning were shattered in front of their eyes.
The party had begun for the Spanish fans.
Speechless
On the final whistle, exhilarated fans burst into renditions of 'Ole, ole, ole' and the Spanish version of 'I can't take my eyes off you'.
"I'm speechless," Andreas Martin told the Irish Independent with tears of joy in his eyes. "I cannot believe it. We've won. It's great."
Another Spanish fan, Catia Buequitis, said: "I feel great. I don't even have the time to think how I feel. It hasn't sunk in yet."
An excited Nacho de los Reyes, from Madrid, said: "It's beautiful. It's the best football ever seen. We deserved to win. We have seen beauty."
Burgos native Ricardo Soria, who was celebrating with friends, said: "It's amazing. We didn't know anyone when we first got here but now we're all celebrating together."
But it was bitter disappointment for the hundreds of Dutch fans who turned out to watch the game dressed in orange T-shirts and wearing scarves and novelty hats.
Others had the red, white and blue colours of the Dutch flag painted on their faces at a reception organised by the Dutch Embassy in the Hilton Dublin hotel in Charlemont Place, Dublin 2.
Dutch Ambassador Robert Engels was among the crowd and told the Irish Independent: "It's wonderful to have all these Dutch people together. A final is a unique event."
Fans could not hide their disappointment when Spain were crowned the winners and many struggled to hold back their tears.
Dutchman Herman Koster, father of 'Xpose' presenter Karen Koster, said: "I'm disappointed. Unfortunately, I preferred the games of 1974 and 1978. The kick in the chest (Dutch player Nigel De Jong's challenge on Spain's Xabi Alonso), we didn't like. I lost a bit of interest (in the game) then."
Meanwhile, bookmakers William Hill said the World Cup was the biggest gambling event of all time, attracting a record betting turnover of €1.2bn in Ireland and the UK and close to €3bn globally.
One William Hill client who staked €35,000 on Spain at odds of 4/1 was celebrating a return of €175,000.
"Turnover would have been much higher if Ireland qualified, but there was a lot of interest in the other games -- particularly the French games.' said William Hill's Irish spokesman Tony Kenny.
- Denise Clarke
Irish Independent
