In case you missed it…
In a overtime game against the Netherlands Sunday afternoon, Spain won the final game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The games that have been running for a month, were historic for South Africa in that they’ve never been in the continent in its 19th championship.
Although the South African team was out of the games early on, the games were a big win to the country as tourism brought tons of money to the local retailers and the surrounding community.
According to The New York Times:
Such is the power of soccer in much of the world that the emotional and nationalistic fervor of the game can sway popular opinion and capture the collective imagination.
Organizers hope the same will hold true in Africa, in a positive way. A growing middle class is exerting its influence on a continent ravaged first by colonialism then post-colonial social and political problems. Sixteen years removed from its first democratic elections, South Africa is a winning host.
But the tournament is primarily about sport, and South Africans are hoping they can boost the home team. No tournament host has failed to advance past the first round.
