Porto Alegre: Oranje Fever

After finally arriving in Porto Alegre we made our way to the hostel and made plans for the following day – it was the sole reason we were there.

We had heard that the Dutch organise a small party (more like a gathering in the main square) before their games and then all walk down to the stadium together. Given the Aussie’s lack that sort of organisation, we thought we may as well join them.

We got to the main square a little before 9am with a few tins in tow. One of the best things about most places outside of Australia is that you can street drink, so after a few tins, we found some more and joined the rest of the Dutch on the march towards the stadium.

The march towards Estádio Beira-Rio

On our way we meet Strapperoo, who was quickly becoming a minor celebrity in Porto Alegre. A mild-mannered, Italian accountant according to his bushy bearded mate, Bernie, Marco has been gallivanting around major sporting events (Football World Cups, Cricket World Cups) in a rather sweaty looking Kangaroo suit complete with boxing gloves and a large set of nuts! Obviously every man and his dog wanted a picture with Strapper so the walk was rather slow, but that suited us just fine.

Strapper conducting one of his many interviews

I’ll hand it to them, the Dutch know how to get in the mood for the game. Complete with marching band we slowly made our way towards the stadium, stopping along the way to top up our tins from opportunistic entrepreneurial Brazilians.

Arriving at the stadium we were all a good half dozen cans in, very jovial but not with too high hopes – how things quickly changed! I’m sure everyone has read and seen Timmy Cahill’s goal, but to answer the Dutch (and our Dutch Kiwi mates sitting next to us) so quickly with such a sublime effort was one of the best sporting moments I have had the pleasure of experiencing in the flesh!

Happy days at half time!

And after Mile ‘Mike’ Jedinak converted from the spot to put us in front, we really didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Our Dutch Kiwi mates were speechless, and the pure joy and adulation from all the Aussies in the stadium is what makes sports such a great part of our lives.

Jedinak coolly converting from the spot

And although that joy was short lived, it is something I will remember and cherish for a long time yet. After the game, Dutch fans were humble in their victory, with many feeling the same as a lot of Aussies – that they were lucky. And even though that result near on put us out of the Cup, most Aussies were still happy and proud with the efforts of the lads in yellow.

We then made our way to the fan fest to watch the Spain v Chile game, the result dumping us from the Cup but still, the froths were flowing and it was only 6pm. We had managed to meet up with some mates from home, and the night’s festivities were still to be had.

Although a fair amount of this is a blur, the streets of Porto Alegre were in full party mode, with the Dutch marching band assuring the party would go long into the night! It was during this time that I was offered a Dutch flag for my sweaty, beer stained Aussie fanatics singlet which I eagerly accepted and shall be getting on the Oranje bandwagon for the rest of the Cup.

The streets of Porto Alegre come alive to the sweet sounds of the Oranje marching band!

Porto Alegre – thanks for having us, sorry we made a mess!