Spain's World Cup Victory

It is hard, if not impossible, to remain impassive as we observe the images concerning the aftermath of the FIFA World Cup, a globe-spanning event that repeats itself every four years.

On American television, events such as national football or even the start of a nondescript cable show are often advertised as 'world premieres', a deceptive way of aggrandizing the occasion. ABC nightly 'World News' usually focuses solely on national news. I concede that North America is big, but surely it does not encompass the entire world.

In July of 2010 Spain beat the Netherlands, in a very close call, to the FIFA World Cup title. The games were famously held in South Africa, to the background music of the ubiquitous vuvuzelas and the calls and cheers of thousands of fans who had saved up for four years in order to make the long trip to the lower end of the African continent, paying for plane tickets and hotels and access to the league stadiums.

The 2010 games had global fans and betters perching on the edge of their lounge chairs as normally strong contenders were sent home one by one: Italy, the previous World Cup holder, hard to beat Brazil, a bumbling England and Ghana.

When Andres Iniesta scored the extra time goal against Holland, securing the first World Cup ever for Spain, a nation held down by a tough economy was able to lift its head and celebrate as only those with hot mediterranean blood know.
The final was the most watched television event in the history of Spanish television, with 91% of the viewership, and celebrations spanned over twelve hours. The lucky team was photographed with the royal family, hobnobbed with president Zapatero and finally, greeted the fans from a stage near the Manzanarre river. The 23 champions then celebrated in night clubs, their every moved followed and reported back to the nation.

Much is being made of the love story between Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalie or "portero", and Sara Carbonero, a reporter or "reportero", topping even the coverage of Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz's engagement.

Spain had fallen in love with Vicente Del Bosque, the coach to the champions, and proclaimed itself a 'happy country' as the world watched, some countries hurt and betrayed by their teams, others in awe, as yet another truly global event concluded.

It may not bring world peace or a solution to third world hunger, but the World Cup, despite its commercial roots, truly is the great unifier.