Some wore green from head to toe; others were waving red, black and yellow flags. But for an hour the more than 10 500 visitors at the FIFA Fan Fest™ in Port Elizabeth last night (Wednesday) were united by the universal language of music.
Uitenhage-born Loyiso Bala produced a performance that had the crowds screaming for more before the start of the World Cup semifinal between Spain and Germany.
For the German supporters, the screams of pleasure soon turned into groans of horror and despair as their team lost in Durban. Having watched the match on the big screen at St George’s Park, some left the venue crying; others departed in silence.
Ecstatic supporters of the Spanish team ascribed the victory to the ability to stay calm, stick to the game plan and create opportunities.
Fan Fest director Glenn van Eck said if the weather played along, he was expecting a massive crowd to attend the play-off for third place in the host-city encounter between Uruguay and Germany on Saturday.
He was particularly excited about the Fan Fest entertainment programme for Sunday, when the Netherlands and Spain will play in the World Cup final.
“We were fortunate to secure great artists for both Saturday and Sunday. That, coupled with unbeatable football action, should have the fans streaming in.”
Entertainment highlights for Saturday’s clash, which will be shown live on the big screen from
8.30pm, include The Modes, Don’t Panic, 13th Floor, Gritt, Universal Translators and Evolver 1, who will be on stage at 7pm.
After the match, DJ Afterparty, featuring DJ Nutty, will entertain visitors.
On Sunday the gates will also open at 1.15pm, followed by a jam-packed programme, including performances by Jam Room, the Bay Jazz Band, Mighty Temptations and the Key Note Jazz Band and JR, at 5pm.
Jesse Clegg, regarded by many as the highlight of the day, will be on the stage at 5.45pm.
The official closing ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2010™ starts at 6.45pm and will be shown live on the big screen.
The ceremony will be followed by the SA Tourism Diski Dancers at 7.15 and the official closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela Bay FIFA Fan Fest.
The match between Spain and the Netherlands starts at 8.30pm. It will be followed, aptly, by DJ After Party, featuring DJ Superman.
Entrance to St George’s Park is free.
Visit www.facebook.com/NMB2010 for regular updates.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
041 368 4992
082 575 7991
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com
On behalf of:
FIFA Fan Fest™