EURO 2008 FINAL at the Spanish Club

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Fiesta time Canberra's Spanish community celebrates

By Daniel MacDonald (Canberra Times - Tuesday, 1 July 2008)

Canberra's Spanish community rejoiced in a tiny corner of Narrabundah early yesterday morning after Spain's soccer team broke a 44-year drought to win international glory.

Elated fans partied in Vienna, where Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the final of the European championship, and on the streets of Madrid. A half a world away, in near-freezing temperatures in Narrabundah, the scene was just as jubilant.

Shouts of "Viva Espana" and "Arriba" echoed through the still sleeping Canberra suburb as fans spilled out of the Spanish-Australian Club celebrating their team's stirring triumph.

Spain's deputy ambassador to Australia, Jose- Pablo Alzina, joined the revellers in the cold and boasted, "I told you we could do it. The Germans have been there before, but we have the element of surprise."

The win was Spain's first win in the championship since 1964, when it defeated the Soviet Union 2-1.

Soccer tragic Jose Lopera said he couldn't wait to tell his boss he wouldn't be working yesterday.

"This is the start of a long party," Mr Lopera said. "I reckon we have about 200 people here this morning and it was all organised by a couple of phone calls late on Friday."

The president of Spanishinfluenced Narrabundah Football Club, Mr Lopera said he was sure the win would bring the close-knit Canberra Spanish community closer together.

"It is a small group of us but the football runs deep in our veins," he said. "It was a brilliant match and we played very well. We are a small side but very skilful- the cream rises to the top."

Striker Fernando Torres was the only scorer in the fast-paced match, netting for Spain in the 33rd minute.

His goal brought Canberra's Spanish faithful to their feet amid cries of"Qle".

Ifhe wasn't already, Torres became an instant hero and young fans, many still dressed in their pyjamas, chanted his name.

Roger Arquero, ofConder, waved the same plastic flags he had bought four years ago in Spain during a match against Uruguay.

"I bought 14 of them and brought them back to use for a great occasion such as this," he said.

The older men put down their sol and sombra's (a brandy drink mixed with cognac meaning "sun and shade' ') to cheer while the rest parted with their hot chocolates.

Those who had countered the cold by wearing scarves took them off and began spinning them in the air above their heads.

And their antics lasted for the rest of the match as Spain gallantly defended its narrow lead.

Less than 200m away from the Spanish-Australian Club in Narrabundah is the Harmonic German Club.

There it was a far more sombre atmosphere.

Kambah teenager Max Gurtler slumped his head in his hands after Italian referee Roberto Rosetti signalled the end of the match. ''I'm pretty sad," Max said.

"We missed too many chances I think. We missed the magic of [Michael] Ballack. It's disappointing because it's another second place for the players."

Another German fan, Johannes Roesler, of Kaleen, quickly drained his beer and escaped briefly to hide his emotions. He returned to life at the opposition's drinking hole, sharing a beer with the victors.

As the temperature rose with the sun outside, the fiesta grew.

GRINNING WINNERS: Narrabundah Football Club president Jose Lopera, foreground, leads celebrations after Spain's Euro 2008 triumph at the Spanish-Australian Club in Narrabundah. Picturures: KARLEEN WILLIAMS.

CONTRASTS: Johannes Roesler, of Kaleen, reflects on Germany's loss, left, while Roger Arquero, of Conder, celebrates, right.