Hyundai Automotive South Africa

I’m high up in the stands at Soccer City as a blaze of orange and red sets the stands on fire with excitement and anticipation. Inside the “ring of fire” which encircles the now world-famous Calabash stadium giant African character puppets dance and Spanish, Dutch, South African supporters join contingents from every other nation in warming up their vuvuzelas, a trumpeting sound which for now is synonymous with soccer worldwide.

As I look at the aerial shots from the choppers circling the stadium I feel enormously privileged to be inside the bowl of light, about to experience an event being beamed to billions worldwide first hand. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final sees Netherlands pitting their wits against reigning European champions Spain. Both sides have produced some astonishing  football during their campaigns and have been rewarded with the chance to add their nation’s names to the select list of former winners: Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France.

The stadium lights dim and camera flashes twinkle like millions of stars as jets roar overhead…excitement is building to fever pitch and thousands of performers circle the field as 84 490 spectators shout the countdown.

Thousands of dancers dressed as supporters from all the countries jump to the sounds of Shakira performing This Time for Africa. Spectacular graphics showcase gargantuan images of the World Cup highlights. Then, troops of thousands of Field Band performers reveal the collected flags of the participating nations. The rich sounds of Ladysmith Black Mambazo fill the stadium and an incredible herd of elephant puppets lumber around a large waterhole in the middle of the pitch recreating a spectactular scene from the African savannah.

Performers play giant graphic instruments with their bodies, I have never seen anything like this before. Sophiatown style takes over in an exhuberant explosion that has the stadium roaring. A flag display and then it’s time to say thank you, thank you Africa in every language amidst a joyous cacophany of vuvuzelas.

The biggest surprise of all – living icon Nelson Mandela comes onto the pitch at Soccer City. The crowd is on their feet chanting Madiba! Madiba!

Then pitch preparations start in the build-up to the momentous final. Both teams enter to warm up on the pitch – Holland is known as the Oranje and Spain as La Roja in reference to the colours of their jerseys.  Vincent Del Bosque is the Spanish coach, while Bert van Marwijk holds the reins for Holland. Neither team has ever won a World Cup. Spain are second on the ranking, while the Netherlands are in fourth position.  We’ll see if they’ll be moving up tonight! Either way, Europe take a 10-9 lead over South American teams to win the title tonight.

Italian hottie Fabio Cannevaro is carrying the trophy onto the field in it’s Louis Vuitton case accompanied by a Nubian queen in yellow and black.  He smiles cheekily as he holds it up for the crowds and it gleams in the stadium spotlights.

He leaves and the atmosphere is incredible as the teams emerge for official handshakes and the anthems.

David Villa is spending a bit of time offside as the great clash gets underway. Both sides are hungry for the ball and there is some good work from Pedro, the youngster from Spain.  Holland takes a long shot straight into the arms of the Spanish goalie Cassilas. Some slippery footwork from the Spanish and the Dutch pull off another save.

Spain show their customary talent for retaining the ball and although the Dutch are firm tacklers, two more shots at goal go by for Spain that should be rattling the Oranjes cage. I’m reaching for my earplugs as the Vuvuzela blasts manage to synchronise stadium-wide!

A sliding tackle earns von Persie (Netherlands) the first yellow card of the game. Carlos Puyol (Spain) gets the next one for the same manoeuvre.  Robben (Netherlands) carries the ball across the field at speed, clearly one to watch out for.

More yellow cards are dished out to Bommel (Netherlands) and Ramos (Spain) as the tussle continues. Alonso is down and winded from a solid kick in the chest from de Jong. He has to leave the field. Five yellow cards in the first thirty minutes!

Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron, the Queen and Crown Prince of Spain and his lovely wife and a royal delegation from Holland are some of the well known faces here at Soccer City tonight.

A remarkable jumping defending block from the Spanish goalie sends players flying, and he’s soon defending his posts again with a solid attack from Holland. 

Back at the other side of the field a 37m penalty kick from Spain is quickly cleared by Holland. Looks like we’re headed for a draw in the hotly contested first half.

Three more yellow cards and several dramatic saves into the second half and the frustration is palpable as both sides come close but fail to score. Even the magic boot of David Villa isn’t penetrating the wall of orange to break this deadlock.

80 minutes of play is over and Spain has had a total of 12 shots at goal to 9 from from the Netherlands, and is dominating possession at 57%. 

Robben is cautioned as he makes a strong attempt on goal and collides with the goalie.  Famous Fabregas (Spain) gets his first run on the pitch as he replaces Alonso in the final minutes. Sneijder takes a silly long shot when he could have sent Robben down the left. That could be a costly wasted opportunity for the Oranjes. The game goes into extra time.

As play continues neither side can break through and the strain starts to tell.  Heitinga is sent off. Torres concedes a free kick after a challenge on van der Wiel, but the Dutch don’t hit home.

Extreme excitement as Spain breaks through the defenders and Iniesta scores in the 116th minute!! Viva Espana! Spanish gees is rocking the stands at Soccer City as they are minutes away from being crowned the new World Champions.

Thank you South Africa for a wonderful, vibrant, astonishing World Cup. We’re so proud!!

Hyundai – we bring the teams, you bring the gees!