At 11:00 am Saturday the Argentinean national team will face off against the Germans, winner gets the advance in the world cup tournament.
Déjà vu: In 2006 Argentina faced Mexico in the same stage of the tournament and won the chance to face the Germans. What was different 4 years ago was the battle against Mexico. The game was tense, the battle was tit for tat and the teams were more evenly matched. Mexico fought bravely to the end only to see a glorious Argentinean win. It was far from a sure thing at any point in the game, the crowds were not confident and that taste of victory was sweet.
The celebration afterwards was unlike any a gringo had ever seen. Santa Fe became inundated with drums, dancing teenagers, flags, confetti- people leaped on the roofs of buses, climbed street signs and stop light poles. “Argentina! Argentina! …….Es un sentimiento…..como ’86…” Chants, songs, a unified celebration for all those who were Argentinean and all of those who cared to join. The bus drivers whipped their arms in the rhythm of the chants, taxi cabs honked their horns. No one cared about anything other than joining their fellow man in the street and share the joy.
Thousands had taken to the streets in Barrio Norte like a flash flood, all traffic was intentionally being forced to participate. I will never forget the BMW that had the unfortunate timing of getting caught in the impromptu parade. This driver was insisting upon inching forward, cautiously not to hit anyone or not to see any impromptu damage done to his fancy automobile.
When he reached Anchorena and Santa Fe there was no moving forward. Large banners had been stretched across the 4 lane avenue. Drum circles had grown to numbers beyond hundreds, synchronized, in the trance of victory. All sensed his angst and few were sympathetic.
The driver side door opens and the mysterious wealthy man reveals himself opening his shield of tinted glass. A well-dressed middle aged man hops out and the music and chants quiet down. The immediate crowd that had encircled his car turn to see what he would do. My brother and I expected the worst, a buzz kill? A Karen killjoy?
Right as the next drum beat hits he stamps one foot, the next beat hits and he stamps the other foot. By the third he began to lightly bounce and then he let the chant belt from his Argentinean lungs with the fury of victory and pride that one has for their national team when they have done their country proud.
The crowd goes absolutely bananas! All those who saw joined the man in “el pogo” jumping dance. All were equal that evening. Young danced with old, rich with poor, weirdo EMO kid with cheto yatch guy. All were on the same wave length. Argentina had a victory notch on their belt. Everyone marched to the obelisco representing Barrio Norte in the Argentinean dance of triumph.
If Argentina wins this Saturday, I assure you my friends, you may never see anything like the celebration that follows ever again in your lifetime. No, its not for the trophy, but there is history between these two teams. It’s going to be a nail bitter. The last meeting between Germany and Argentina ended in the dreaded penalty kicks where Argentina got a taste of sour defeat.
Don’t watch the game in your home, go public. The closer you are to Centro the better. I hope to see you at the obelisco…Vamos Argentina! Argentina! Argentina!…
