Sunday

(image: flare burning on other side of stadium)
Sunday started as a slow day, but we knew it was going to get awesome. We had tickets to a Real Betis soccer game, which is a professional team in the 2nd league of Spain. Their season has been promising thus far, and this game could determine if they will move up to the first league, or stay down in the 2nd for the upcoming season. Well as the day began, we slept in past breakfast, which we didn’t mean to. We felt kind of bad because we planned on eating breakfast and getting adjusted to the lifestyle, eating times, and everything else. It is a drastic change, but I think I will cope very well.
We ate lunch about the time we woke up. I would go into details but I am going to do a blog post soon with all of the meals so far. That should be very interesting blog. I have been asked many times to post about the food, mainly by my dad. So it shall be done!
After lunch we literally just sat around the “piso” and wasted time until the big game. While we were waiting, our host mom packed us “bocadillos,” which are little sandwiches. These weren’t little at all, but were more than convenient to take with us to the game which prevented us from having to buy a meal on the way.
Soon it was time for the game and we were debating taking the bus or taking a taxi as it was a 5 km (3.1 mile) walk in the heat. Our host mom provided us a very detailed bus map for the city of Sevilla. We would have to take two buses to get to the stadium, getting off one bus at a strange location and then having to walk to another bus stop in yet another strange location. We had it all figured out, had our bus passes ready to go and were ready to experience the common form of transportation of a Sevillano.
Minutes later we ended up in a cab, on our way to the stadium. We didn’t want to be late – was our excuse to ourselves.
The buses seemed a little too confusing for Alex and I because we don’t even use buses in places where they speak English. Trying a bus for the first time and changing buses at some unfamiliar part of town in a Spanish-speaking country would only make it that more confusing. Also, I wouldn’t have missed this game just because of taking the wrong bus and becoming even more lost.
The whole way to the stadium we saw people wearing Real Betis jerseys, shirts and scarves. Imagine walking into a Cowboys game at the stadium (the old, non-existing one) with a ton of fans headed toward the entrance. Now imagine that, throughout the entire city.
Every street and sidewalk was green and white. People on mopeds, or scooters, with their passenger behind them holding an oversized Real Betis flag letting it blow in the wind as they journeyed to the “estadio.” One flag was so large it must have cut their maximum velocity in half with the amount of drag it provided. We’re talking at least 6 feet tall and 9 feet long. And that was just the flag material. The pole must have been very long to be able to wave that thing in the stadium.
Ten minutes later and with a sudden withdrawal of 6 Euros from our pockets, we arrived at the stadium. There was a party outside the entire stadium. People carried liters of beer, usually Cruzcampo, which is the standard beer here. There was anyone from an old-man to a baby in line to enter the stadium.
We entered the stadium and the atmosphere was amazing. The stadium was only about half full when we sat ourselves in our fifth row, goal-side seats. As soon as the stadium filled up the atmosphere was just amazing.
They were singing songs and jumping up and down and it was very exciting for me. It was exactly how I imagined the fans should be at a professional football game.
They had some ridiculous mascot, which to this day I have no idea what it is. It’s not an animal, I know that. Well, I think it’s not.
Anyway, the game was very important as they were playing the first place team in the league, and they were only a few positions back. If they won, they could possibly secure a spot to join the first league again. The stadium was sold out, and we had some of the best tickets. It was well worth the price.
When they scored, off a penalty kick mind you, the stadium went absolutely crazy. Before the goal the game was evenly matched. Each side would take turns dominating possession, and it was just a matter of who scored first.
Well, luckily we got to experience that goal for Betis. They lit a flare on the other side of the stadium which burned and made smoke everywhere over the field. Can y’all imagine that happening at say, a Cowboys game? It’s just unheard of.
I will never think of being a fan of a team the same ever again. These fans put their hearts and souls into being a fan. Each week these people go to the game, no matter what. They live and breathe soccer (football). Football is religion, is a common saying about Europe.
This was such an amazing experience, and I am so glad we got to see a professional game. It was even better to see them win at home and get to sing all those songs, the best I could, with the fans.