Argentina living and breathing the game (27 Jan 2006 17:16 GMT)
The arrival of the FIFA World Cup Trophy in football-mad Argentina has caused quite a stir, not least for one former member of the national team.
Argentina is the sixth stop on the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola and the nation's press were out in force, ready to capture every moment of the official presentation on Tuesday. The luxury Hotel Hermitage in the city of Mar del Plata was the scene for the event, with its fabulous Columbus Lounge the chosen venue.
In an adjacent room, a cheerful-looking man chatted amiably with his fellow guests. The individual in question was none other than Julio Cesar Olarticoechea, a veteran of three FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was a substitute at Spain 1982 while at Italy 1990 he picked up a runners-up medal.
It was at Mexico 1986 that he and his team-mates reached the summit of world football, although curiously he never got to touch the coveted Trophy. "As the final whistle blew in the final with Germany I was sitting on the bench, drinking water. Everybody charged onto the pitch to celebrate, but I stayed where I was, taking in everything that was going on.
"That's why I never got the chance to get my hands on the Cup. I hope to put things right today," explained Olarticoechea, one of five members of the FIFA World Cup winning team from 1986 in attendance on the first day of the tour. For the record, we can confirm Julio's dream did finally come true!
Hosting the event was the man whose goalkeeping heroics at Italia 90 cemented his place in Argentine football history, Sergio Goycochea. Impeccably dressed in a light-coloured suit, 'Goyco' looked as assured on stage as he used to between the sticks. A defeated finalist on Italian soil, Goycochea still wonders what might have been: "I know what it feels like having the Cup within reach but not being able to touch it.
"It wasn't nice having to watch while other people raised the Cup into the air." In front of an audience of more than 50 journalists, Goychochea's excitement was there for all to see as he cried: "Enough talking, would you please welcome, the FIFA World Cup Trophy!"
With U2's hit song Vertigo providing the perfect soundtrack, spontaneous applause erupted as FIFA's marketing representative Alex Koch entered the room holding the Trophy aloft. Accompanying him were Olarticoechea and his fellow FIFA World Cup winners Nestor Clausen, Carlos Tapia, Sergio Batista, Hector Enrique and Ricardo Giusti. Also in attendance were Julio Grondona, President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and a FIFA vice-president, and a number of other celebrities who had turned out especially for the event.
Coca-Cola's 'We all speak football' campaign was a common theme throughout the evening's speeches. Daniel Serra, marketing manager for Coca-Cola Argentina, spoke of the long collaboration between his company and FIFA, before revealing the true Argentine football fan underneath by saying: "In 136 days' time, we're all going to be buzzing at the thought of bringing the this Cup back to Argentina once again. Let's enjoy it."
AFA President Julio Grondona began his speech on a serious note, assuring the audience that "the football official in me hasn't left much room for being a fan". He then went on to thank Daniel Katz, mayor of the town of General Pueyrredon, and Miguel Cubero, the secretary for tourism and sport for Buenos Aires, for organising the event in Mar del Plata.
Despite his best efforts, by the end of his speech the fan in Grondona was clamouring to be heard: "Julio is my first name, and Julio (July) is the month when the World Cup in Germany will be won. I couldn't put a price on seeing our boys bring the Cup back home with them for fans the length and breadth of Argentina to see. This is a dream that, with all due respect, I pray that the Good Lord can make happen."
With a video of scenes from Mexico 1986 playing in the background, Goycochea chaired an informal football debate with the members of the winning squad from that memorable tournament. Quips and anecdotes abounded, as did positive vibes regarding Argentina's chances at the upcoming finals.
The icing on the cake for those lucky journalists present was the chance to have a photo taken with the Trophy, a lasting memory of a very special day. First in line was a clearly delighted Juan Manuel Marini from Mar de Plata's very own Radio KLA 91.7. "How does it feel to be next to the trophy. It's a unique feeling, something only 44 Argentines have ever done. I had to fight to get my name down for this event and I did it, but this was a complete surprise. It's incredible." At moments like this one thing is for certain, Argentina really does live and breathe football.
source : noticias.info, FIFA