We are the Champions

Friday night Ghana played Brazil in the 2009 Under 20 World Cup championship match in Egypt. The kids were exstatic that Ghana had made it that far in the tournament, having followed the tournament over the course of the last month. I went over to the Prestoncrest Girls home to watch the game. There is nothing like watching a football (soccer) game at one of the kids houses. They go crazy at each saved goal, or attempted score. The game was incredibly tense, with Ghana playing down a man for most of the match due an early red card. (unfairly awarded according to all who were watching) The game ended at a 0-0 tie. They went into overtime. The first 15 minute overtime saw more shots on goal than the prior 90 minutes. It was so intense, the girls were going nuts. It also ended scoreless. A second overtime was played, again scoreless. It went to penalty kicks. Ghana barely tied Brazil in the penalty kicks (3-3) so then it went to sudden death penalty kicks. Everyone was so nervous, hardly daring to watch. The first Brazil shot was blocked by Ghana's goalie, and Ghana's player made the shot. The room absolutely erupted. The girls screamed, clapped, cheered, jumped, hugged, danced... Children ran outside banging pots and pans, dance lines formed...It was incredible. They calmed down only because the award ceremony came on. The golden shoe was awarded to one of Ghana's players for the most goals scored throughout the tournament. That player was trained at Feynoord, a Dutch soccer training facility one mile from the VOH! He also won overall most outstanding player of the U20 World Cup. This is the first time an African nation has won the U20 World Cup. I am so glad that I was able to be here to watch the game and share in the victory with the kids! I was just as excited as they were!