Amazing. Maybe Ecuador won't make it to 2010 but Liga de Quito's incredible run in the Copa Libertadores (move aside, Champions League) will serve as the last stepping point for Ecuador futbol in the world stage. No longer a cinderella, no longer a push-over, exporting stars like Edison Mendez, Antonio Valencia, Joffre Guerron, and co., and going to two straight world cups undoubtedly prove the quality of play in this diminutive South American country. They did it beating one of the South American giants, a brazilian team, no less. Fluminense proved its home advantage at the Maracana of Rio was a formidable obstacle. Still, a 3-1 was not enough and penalties came. Enter Jose Francisco "Pepe Pancho" Cevallos and 3 amazing saves worthy of Buffon, Goycochea, Ravelli, Zoff, Casillas. Pepe Pancho Cevallos was the amazing goalie missing from 2006 and the start of qualifying for 2010. We must not forget that it was through this 'keeper's hands that Ecuador arrived at KoreaJapan 2002. What now? Celebrate, of course. Even though Liga may not be my team they still make me proud. Liga wins, critics are silenced (my uncle included, of course) and the people rejoice. Quality, speed, savvy play, amazing passes, sublime plays, incredible atmosphere, Guerron and Urrutia and Manzo and Salas and Delgado and Cevallos and Bieler and Campos and Bolanos and everyone in between. Well done, Liga. Well done, Ecuador. Party on, Quito.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Liga de Quito Campeón de la Libertadores de América
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5 comments:
I think you should write something about the teams of Guayaquil, specially Emelec, liga was just lucky.
Whilst I agree that Liga was indeed lucky, they should be given credit. They actually won the first final (4-2!). Emelec made it to the semis once and lost against Gremio, I believe. They're my team but as long as they remain in mediocrity I will not write about them. Many out there like my uncle Mauro Velasquez did not take their victory well. I find that sad. This was Ecuador's team that won it all and a good chunk of us felt the same way.
Why do you always mention "your uncle"????
My uncle... Mauro Velasquez Cevallos is a huge fan of Barcelona de Guayaquil, Pele, and Brazilian futbol in general. He's also a renowned commentator and frequent soccer writer in many prestigious magazines including Spain's Don Balon.
Creo que hay un error al mencionar a Mauro Velasquez Cevallos en este foro. Usted se debe referir a su hijo Mauro Velasquez Villacis. Me imagino que Velasquez Cevallos es su abuelo de usted.
Por otro lado, hay quien pregunta por que usted menciona siempre a su "uncle". Creo que amerita informar al lector, que tal vez no sea ecuatoriano, que MAURO VELASQUEZ VILLACIS es una enciclopedia viviente del futbol ecuatoriano y mundial, una voz autorizada y lider de la historia del futbol de mundo.
Lo felicito por su blog, es fabuloso, soy asiduo lector.
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