When you mention Olympic games – football is not on the list of 10 most popular, most watched, most traditional, most whatever you want sports… For Brasilians it comes first. It always has. And it always will be. Regardless of what competition we’re talking about. Tradition, religion, everything!
I started from Copacabana, took a bus and reached Botafogo after four to five stations, then went to metro and after ten stations and more than an hour of ride I was there – at the place which is sacred for Brasilians – Maracana. The temple of football.
Naturally the yellow color dominated – jerseys, scarves, flags. And song. Celebrating Brasil (and of course calling out Argentina and Maradona). And the dance. Famous samba. Long before, and long after the match…
The match which was a one way street from the beginning, so unlucky Honduras was just a witness to the Brasilian mnologue – 6:0 for the road to the finals and a new chance to win its first olympic gold.
Yes, yes, Brasil, this footbal nation, five times champion of the world, has never won an Olympic gold medal in football.
“Gabriel and Neymar will lead us to the gold”, said confidently the journalist of the respectable O Globo, Mateo Asensio.
And in the match for a place in the history domestic idols are awaited by the – hated Germany. After 1:7 two years ago at the stadium Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, the whole nation is dreaming of revenge. Although a fear from another tragedy can be seen in eyes of many Brasilians.
When you mention Olympic games – football is not on the list of 10 most popular, most watched, most traditional, most whatever you want sports… For Brasilians it comes first. It always has. And it always will be. Regardless of what competition we’re talking about. Tradition, religion, everything!
