FIFA WORLD CUP

The moment that many Costa Ricans have been waiting for has finally arrived. We were waiting for eight years to see our selection compete with "kraken" players at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). This is a football tournament, founded in 1904 and held every four years since 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 due to the World War II. It’s interesting to highlight that Brazil has won 5 times and they are the only team who has played in every tournament ever since. Other countries, like Italy, have won 4 cups, Germany 3, Argentina and Uruguay with 2 titles each and finally England, France and Spain with one each. The current champion is Spain who won the FIFA World Cup 2010, the tournament in South Africa.

In every single game Costa Rica was always shining, and after witnessing our previous games, Costa Rica was a persevering and extraordinary defense that completely stopped the Dutch team. And, not to talk about goalkeeper Keylor Navas, considered the best goalkeeper in the World Cup and one of the top 3 goalkeepers in the world. Keylor Navas, or Saint Navas, is originally from Perez Zeledón, he was commissioned to provide confidence to all Ticos after his performance in the World Cup by helping the team to pass to the quarterfinals against Greece. Just like the rest of the soccer players from the selection who gave us joyful moments.

After witnessing the previous games, the moment came with the game against Holland last Saturday. The whole country was aware of the match between Costa Rica and The Netherlands, which was a celebration. Families gathered at home, friends gathered in a bar, and all the country united by the same shirt: red, white, blue. Everybody was pending the semi-finals for the World Cup Brazil 2014. Most Costa Ricans were very than satisfied with the role of our national team at the world cup championships. Ultimately, the boys gave 100% on the court.

Time did not reach them for more, so the game went to penalties, where a strategic change of goalkeeper at the last minute was made by The Netherlands, astonishing all spectators in the city of Salvador, media and many viewers. With luck and preparation Netherlands team managed to take the team forward.

Our National Selection did not come back empty-handed, as the boys showed an excellent performance in Brazil leaving all Costa Ricans as the best of the best. Some of them even refer to us as the giants of CONCACAF and not Cinderella anymore. So, from Saturday onwards, it is a luxury that other teams compete with our national team.

It was not until yesterday that the national team came back to our country which was a day of celebration. Our president Luis Guillermo Solís went to the airport for a welcoming ceremony. Many people arrived with banners, parades, children from all parts of our national territory were there to participate in the national activity. Folkloric music playing everywhere during the waiting time. Many proud people from all over the country showed up to show their greatfulness to our National Football Team. How nice is it to be a Tico!