No Chance!!!!
June 21, 2010 was our first of 2 Spain matches during the world cup. Luckily for us they were shocked in the first game against Switzerland and suddenly they are facing two must win matches in order to qualify to the round of 16. Luckily for us, they had to try for both matches 🙂
This was our first match at the infamous Ellis Park, made famous by the movie Invictus. This is where the 1995 World cup of rugby was held, the first international event to be held by South Africa since the Apartheid embargo was lifted. The stadium was quite old, and had a unique odor to it; its all for the history 🙂
Spain came out with guns blazing, no other way to describe it. It was an all out barrage on net, total control of the football, the majority of the first half was pretty much the Hondurans chasing the ball. Spain went up ahead with a David Villa goal, his first of the campaign and never looked back. The second half was no different to first, Spain was all over Honduras and Villa managed to add another one to his tally to make 2-0. Honduras had the odd chance here and there but nothing that would’ve been considered as a serious scoring opportunity. Villa blew his chance at a hat trick when they were awarded a penalty later on but he missed it wide! Chance after chance for Spain was wasted until the final whistle blew. One of the tournament favorite put a convincing performance and sent out their first message of intent.
A year ago today also one of our crew (we were four) was really down and out with some form of a flu; earlier in the day he was taken to the doctor by our hotel staff and he was prescribed some medication to help him get better. I’m sure had it been his wedding day it would’ve been postponed 🙂 He was in really bad shape and in the morning he said that he might not go with us to the game since we get to see Spain again in the tournament and it might’ve been better for him to rest for the next 3 games after this one! When the time came to get ready he was a champ, somehow he managed to get enough energy to go to the game and enjoy it with us! Luckily for him it was all uphill for him from that point on, even though we left South Africa with him still recovering that was the worst day and it was behind us by then….
2 Rivers Photos 