The scene was the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.
Mexico, who had never won a point in any previous World Cup, were playing France.
After a 5-0 hammering against Brazil, the Mexican team were determined to get a result but went into the changing room at halftime 2-0 down.
The team, instead of arguing amongst each other, sat down and talked. The coach told them that they are humans just like the French team and have nothing to lose.
Bang. 2-1 and Mexico are on top. The pressure continues and one Tomas Balcazar scores the equaliser 5 minutes before the 90 are up. Cue wild celebrations.
"Our tears of joy turned into tears of sadness" relates Tomas Balcazar, who tells the story with such enthusiasm and detail it could've been yesterday.
Mexican hearts were broken when the referee gave a dubious handball against Mexico in the last minute. France won 3-2.
Tomorrow/today against France, Balcazar, 78, will be again present at the World Cup. This time it will be to support his grandson, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez in Mexico's second game after a disappointing opener.
The parallel is obvious. Balcazar, if you speak to him, is clearly still hurt by France's last minute goal; there could be no better cure than his grandson getting the winner against the French tomorrow.
Thanks to Tomas Balcazar for sharing his memories of World Cup 1954.
Wednesday 16 June 2010
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It is just amazing! I hope it is true, that his grandfather was there at the stadium. Revenge can be sweet! Viva Mexico! Viva Chicharito!
ReplyDeleteHe was there alright! There were some pictures. What a great story. Gutted against the French in 1954 and then his grandson goes on to break the deadlock against the same team in 2010.
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