The incessant din of the vuvuzelas coming through the auditorium speakers was muffled by the shouts of Dutch and Spanish supporters at the Reitz Union’s World Cup Final viewing Sunday afternoon.
About 550 people watched the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final at four different locations at the Reitz Union: the auditorium, the Orange & Brew, the bowling alley and Taco Bell.
In total, 13 televisions and two projector screens showed the match.
Freshman Lyle Chrzaszcz said he supported the Netherlands following USA’s knockout round loss.
He liked the Dutch team’s 25 consecutive unbeaten games and the play of Wesley Sneijder, a Dutch midfielder who plays for Italian club team FC Internazionale Milan.
USA’s good showing in the tournament probably inspired so many fans to come to the Reitz Union, Chrzaszcz said.
“I’m surprised to see so many people in America supporting soccer,” Chrzaszcz said. “Ever since Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria, everybody’s been excited about soccer.”
Jose Mercado, a biology junior, has been an avid Spanish national team supporter since he saw Spain win the UEFA Euro 2008 championship while visiting Spain.
He said that although in Spain there were a lot more fans at viewing parties, the energy at the Reitz was about the same.
Michael Bank, a high school student who is at UF for the Student Science Training Program, said he didn’t care much for the final match since the USA and all the African teams were knocked out.
The Reitz viewing party was more exciting than the viewing party at Beaty Commons, where he watched the previous matches, he said.
“Everyone shouts over tiny things,” he said.
Daniel Bracho, an English Language Institute student from Venezuela, watched the game with a Spanish flag wrapped around his shoulders.
When Spain scored its game-winning goal in extra time, he ran on the auditorium’s stage and began a chant that spread throughout the auditorium: “Espana! Espana!”
A lot of Hispanic students were supporting Spain, Bank said.
Bracho said his plans after the match were to celebrate by getting drunk on Spanish beer.
