Team Barca

Well, I don't know if it hit the news in America, but the Barcelona Futbol (soccer for those of you who don't know ;) ) team won all 3 championships...King's Cup, Spanish Cup and last night they won the European Cup. This is a huge deal. Barca made history last night because no other team has won all 3 cups in one season. Let me tell you Spain takes this very seriously. I can't even begin to describe the following this sport has...People here are so intense about futbol. I have never seen anything like it in the States. People are very proud an loyal to their team. After any of the games Barca won people would be out on the streets celebrating and partying all throughout Catalunya. There are fireworks going off, car horns being honked and people are dancing and chanting in the streets and plazas. Last night was no difference. I was able to go to a bar last night to watch the game and experience it first hand. It was so interesting to see how excited people were and how much fun they were having. They were even were sing the Barca anthem.

Some person dyed their dogs fur the team colors (blue & red)

People starting to arrive to the plaze The chanting & Fireworks begin More of the crowd Kristin (new au pair), Brigitte, Chelsea & Me

This afternoon the team arrived back home...the game was in Rome. A huge crowd was waiting for them when they arrived. Then they were off to their home stadium. They were driven in a double decker bus with no roof on top. That way they could wave to their adoring fans. Believe me the crowd is in love. There were more than a million people in the streets to watch them pass by. Girls were crying, pictures were being taken and singing was occuring while these futbol players drove by. They were treated as if they were royalty. Again, I must say that I have never seen anything like it. Of course, it was broadcasted on tv and I was watching it with the family. Finally, 3 hours later the team arrives to the stadium. It is jammed packed with people inside awaiting their arrival. The palyers come out and circle the inside of the stadium a few times, make some speeches, more circling anf then it's finally finished. It would surprise me greatly if any of these players came out of this experience without a swelled head. They are given such a high status with the people that I think it would be hard for them to not think that they were the greatest thing since sliced bread!!!