On the night of the 7th I went to
Estado Centenario, the stadium here in Uruguay built for the very first World Cup (that Uruguay won!) to see a match between a local Uruguayan team called
Nacional and a Brazilian team called
Fluminense. I went with Nicolás, the husband of one of Mari´s friends for this fun filled night. He was very excited to be the first to take me to Estadio Centanario to see a Nacional game. Right now the
Copa Libertadores is in full session. Stealing from Wikipedia, it says that this tournement "is the most prestigious club competition in South America football and one of the most watched events in the world, broadcast in 135 nations world wide." Even though the stadium is 82 years old, it is in relatively good shape. We sat in the Amsterdam section, behind the goal post, and had a wonderful view of the field. Nicolás took this photo from his phone.
Here, the soccer fans are trained in the arts of old school tradition. Your soccer team isnt a choice, its a lifestyle. Fans here dont mess around. Most likely you were born into soccer family. I on the other hand, am a guest in house with ties to Nacional. Yet, Mari´s best friends family is in allegiance with
Peñarol, the other major local team. Heading anywhere in the city, you can see the shirts, flags, stickers, emblems, and the fans of some team nearly everywhere, every single day of the week. They dont mess around here, and its a question thats bound to be asked of you at some point in your travels. What team do you follow? Here is a shot of the fans going wild after Nacional scored a goal, eventually winning the match 2 - 0.
I know soccer isnt quite that big back home, but here there are games on the television every day. Be it the Uruguayan league, the Argentina League, the Brazilian League, the European League, the German League, or the Portuguese League (and perhaps more). We have even been following the Uruguayan Sub 17 league (kids below the age of 17). The tournement is taking place in Ecuador, and we have been watching every single game. These youngsters just qualified with a win over Columbia two nights ago, winning 3 - 2. Now, in contrast, I can count on one hand the amount of people that I know that watch the National US mens soccer team. Yet, I have never heard of anyone, ever, including myself, discussing how the US Sub 17 team is doing in their bracket. I cant imagine that anyone has even heard of this team in the US, much less watches them, and yet, I am fairly certain that they exist are are playing games. Nevertheless -here, the Sub 17 games are broadcast and celebrated. I like it. I often get the feeling that Uruguay is like the skinny little kid on the block, fighting for his place amongst the bigger, brasher bullies that think they own the street. Its nice to see a sport taken to the societal extreme. Nicolás was great, and I had a lot of fun with him. He went to school for medicine and is now a doctor. He is currently working while also attending school 2 days a week for his post grad. He is married with a beautiful young daughter (14 months) and has another bun in the oven on the way. He is warm and friendly, and seems to look after me quite well. I look forward to getting to know him much better in the near future.
I know soccer isnt quite that big back home, but here there are games on the television every day. Be it the Uruguayan league, the Argentina League, the Brazilian League, the European League, the German League, or the Portuguese League (and perhaps more). We have even been following the Uruguayan Sub 17 league (kids below the age of 17). The tournement is taking place in Ecuador, and we have been watching every single game. These youngsters just qualified with a win over Columbia two nights ago, winning 3 - 2. Now, in contrast, I can count on one hand the amount of people that I know that watch the National US mens soccer team. Yet, I have never heard of anyone, ever, including myself, discussing how the US Sub 17 team is doing in their bracket. I cant imagine that anyone has even heard of this team in the US, much less watches them, and yet, I am fairly certain that they exist are are playing games. Nevertheless -here, the Sub 17 games are broadcast and celebrated. I like it. I often get the feeling that Uruguay is like the skinny little kid on the block, fighting for his place amongst the bigger, brasher bullies that think they own the street. Its nice to see a sport taken to the societal extreme. Nicolás was great, and I had a lot of fun with him. He went to school for medicine and is now a doctor. He is currently working while also attending school 2 days a week for his post grad. He is married with a beautiful young daughter (14 months) and has another bun in the oven on the way. He is warm and friendly, and seems to look after me quite well. I look forward to getting to know him much better in the near future. 
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