Now anybody with half a brain (me included) knows that Brazilians are extreme soccer fanatics, but even with this in mind, comparing what to expect and what actually happens is insane. The Brazilians relationship to soccer is the definition of addiction.
The beaches are literally filled with hundreds of groups of people kicking a ball around, playing ‘hacky’ or beach soccer volleyball (where they use a beach volleyball court and have to use any part of their body without using their hands). Comparing what they are doing to the skill level between me and my mates back home, these ‘normal’ guys and girls may as well be international football stars. Their skills are just out of this world... It was amazing how they could so effortlessly keep the ball in play much better than I can using my hands with volleyball. No wonder Brazil have won the most football world cups in history.
Ever since we decided back in the office back in Sydney to come to Brazil, the only thing that George had to do in Rio (apart from the women) was to go to a football game. Now the only live soccer game I had been to previously were A league games on the central coast so naturally I wasn’t too excited (sorry Ol). We ended up getting tickets to a friendly game between famous rivals Flamenco and Fluminense, and for some reason you need to specify which team you support. Being a home game to Flamenco, we decide to choose them
We get the train Maracana stadium and the trains are more packed that cans of sardines with supporters. Walking up to the stadium it gets even crazier. Hundreds of police in riot gear, some on horseback. So many people, some fighting, some drinking. It was easy to feel both excited and nervous. Why do they need riot police for a soccer game?! Quickly we learn that each team has been allocated a section of the stadium each for their supporters for security.
There are no allocations for seats, which upon entering the stadium, we realise is pointless anyways, as there are literally tens of thousands of fans, who are all standing or finding a spare rail to hang off, and all chanting abuse towards the other end of the stadium where the enemies are. Amazing atmosphere!
Early into the first half, Flamenco score a goal and the fans around us go absolutely mental! And I mean mental. Flares, massive flags and singing! Not your average school boys choir mind you, they were busting their lungs out. Flares continue to erupt around us and we decide that before we end up getting engulfed in so much smoke that we can’t see or breathe, we move to the top of the stadium for a great view. We look back to where we were standing. And realise we were standing right in the middle of this.
However, the game takes a turn for the worse and Flamenco end up 3-1 down at half time. The fans are absolutely devastated. Crying and consoling each other. The works.
Second half, our team are running towards us. And before we know it, their favourite player Adriano, in the gold boots, scores. Their fans pick up. Hugging, yelling, chanting, holding on to the tiniest bit of hope on the chance of a comeback to beat their most hated rivals.
Ten minutes later, Adriano gets a beautiful cross ball and is 1 on 1 with the keeper. In our seats we are in perfect view to see him outsmart the keeper and convert his second. The Flamenco fans are starting to believe. We are all jumping around (we were making noises that sounded like the chants) hugging each other! The mood had picked up. The scores were now level.
When Adriano scored the winning goal with less than 5 minutes to go, also to claim his personal trifecta, I saw what the definition of true passion was. If I thought the fans were going mental before, then I have no idea how to describe what they were doing now. Some were lying on the ground, crying and praying towards the sky, in absolute amazement that their team came through for them. I think to myself, wow, I need to find something that I am this passionate about, because it is incredible.
To think that this was just a friendly game. For some reason I don’t think a game of soccer will be the same again.
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