Fútbol es la vida

This country is really obsessed with soccer! Last weekend there was a tournament for the kids in the neighbourhood, as well as a game with the local team Puebla. Here are some pics:

We went to see the crucial game of Puebla with Hermano Rafas. Puebla managed to climb up to the national league, thanks to winning this game! The stadium was PACKED, and unfortunately I managed to loose Rafas even before entering into the stadium.. Well, luckily all went well.

The spectators were so anxious to enter to the stadium, that when the gates weren´t opened on time, people just broke the fences and entered :P Policemen just watched while people with and without tickets entered! I went in a bit after the crowd, and this is how full the stadium was! At first I couldnt even enter the gate where my place was supposed to be..

This was my "view" during the first half of the game. I didn´t see a single of the 3-2 goals, but you could definitely hear them!

My view during the second half was a bit better. A lot of people left the game during the game (especially with kids) but I think there were still like 60 000 spectators! In a 1st division game! Lucky almost all supported Puebla, so the atmosphere was fun but no violence.

GOAL!I ended up buying a Puebla cap, and was wearing a Puebla shirt lent by Rafas. Like a true fan:)

These girls had put on "their best" for the game..

After the game on Saturday, the mood was set for a neighbourhood tournament in the court outside Casa de Solidaridad. They were playing futbol rapido, i.e. quick soccer with 5 games of 15 minutes each, with a tournament of 3 teams.

Here is a pic of the house taken from the courtyard. It has 2 floors and a rooftop terrace.

"Our" team planning their tactiques during the break.

In the midst of the game.

In this court we normally play soccer in the evenings.

The trophy was sponsored by a man from the neighbourhood. It really motivated the boys!

In this picture you have Gustavo (left), Alejandro and Hermano Rafas, the director of the house during the break.


Here is the happy winner team! The boys acted like kings of the world all day, and were happy to celebrate the victory with coke and cookies! The trophy is in Hermano Rafas room in an honorary place on the shelf :)

Even I have been playing with them every once in a while in the evenings. It´s a lot of fun, and since their just kids, I can sometimes even put up against them. The other day I got so in to the game, that I fell and broke my new GAP pants :( well, trying to sew them up tomorrow..