WORLD?CUP football fever has gripped this country and yesterday at every shop, sports bar, restaurant and hotel, hundreds of fans got the result they were screaming for.
Brazil, the team of choice for most Barbadians, began their quest for a sixth title with a 3-1 victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo that sparked screams of delight at bars throughout Bridgetown, and along the hotel belt on the West and South Coast in particular.
There was standing room only in bars in Marhill Street and Spry Street with fans assembling in some instances, more than an hour before the 4 p.m. kick-off.
As expected, Bubba’s Sports Bar on the South Coast had the largest mix of locals and tourists that included small pockets of Croatian fans.
One of them was Joe Stancic, who was born in Canada, of Croatian parents.
“We are very proud people and we love our country, our players, and we are going to support them with all our hearts,” said Stancic, easily recognisable in the red and white checked uniform of Croatia.
He had a fun time, and playfully put his arm around his buddy, Rylie Ableman, a Canadian sporting a Brazilian shirt.
“I am just rooting for Brazil just to tease Joe. It is just good fun. We are actually in-laws, as we are married to two Canadian sisters,”?Ableman said.
The fan club at Bubba’s included former national match sprint and time trial cycling champion John Cumberbatch, attorneys Barry Gale, Randall Belgrave, Frank Belgrave and Amilcar Blanche and cardiologist Anthony Harris.
One female fan told WEEKEND?SPORT she was delighted that Brazil maintained the World Cup tradition as the host nation hasn’t lost in the opening match in the last nine World Cups.
“The boys didn’t let me down. I expected a little more style but it is nice to win. A draw would have been just as bad as a loss. I am sure Brazil will play better,” she said.
A draw would have been a huge disappointment for Brazil, who had won their opening match the previous eight times. The five-time champions entered the tournament having won 15 of their last 16 games, including five in last year’s Confederations Cup, the warm-up tournament they won.
The result kept Croatia without a win in their last five World Cup matches. Their last triumph was a 2-1 win over Italy in 2002.
