Soccer Champs--a celebration extraordinaire

CELEBRATION

Here are soccer fans Larry Nilsson, left, and my husband, Jack, on the right. They are watching the first play-off soccer match between Algeria and Egypt, for the African Cup of Nations Championship.

Fans painted these two and got them in the spirit of the game. Egypt played Algeria this game. Algeria and Egypt enjoy a heated rivalry, often resulting in one or the other's embassador being recalled. To say that spirits ran high would be an understatement!

Fans were in rare form. They brought their own noise makers and high spirits.

Egypt scored! (Can you tell??) They won!! On to the African Cup of Nations championship game against Ghana!!!

EGYPT WINS THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! The streets were packed with fans celebrating .

Fans improvised flares using aerosol cans of automotive starting fluid and lighters.

Television camers were there to record the festivities. There was singing in the streets, dancing in the intersections, lots of flag waving and general good fun as fans celebrated this phenomenal win. No one believed that Egypt could pull this off, yet all were hopeful. And when it finally came to pass, they were estatic.

Jack and I noticed that the crowds were very civil, even polite. There were no cars set on fire, no vandalism, no rowdy drunken brawls. People were out to celebrate Egypt's Championship. They were not out to destroy their city. For six hours the fans had a wonderful time. Yes, they left lots of litter in the streets, but that was all. And yes, there was noise all night long, so sleep came very late, or early, depending on your point of view. But Egypt had something to celebrate and celebrate they did! And so did we.