I woke up early on Sunday. I got dressed and put on a red-and-white striped dress with white Converse. I did my hair and pulled it perfectly to the side to make enough room on the top of my head for my sunglasses. I filled up my water bottle and walked out the door.
Everyone knew exactly what made this day special. It’s game day.
Although I was wearing my candy stripes, I was supporting a different team close to my heart — Sevilla. On Sunday, the Sevilla soccer team played Real Betis, the other official team of Seville, in the rivalry game of the season.
Sevilla beat Real Betis 2-0 at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in what was considered an expected victory for Sevilla.
One of the things I wanted to experience in Spain before I part in less than two weeks was to go to an authentic “fútbol” game.
Fútbol, or soccer, is the number one sport in the country, and most people consider themselves devoted fans to a professional team.
Before attending the game, I didn’t have a large preference on which Seville team I wanted to root for, but it ended up being a decision of what colors I owned to wear to the game. Alas, I do not own any green that would be suitable to represent Real Betis, so Sevilla was the easy choice.
When my friends and I reached the stadium, there was a difference in my ticket, so I was separated from the rest of the group.
I ended up sitting in the fifth row right next to the south goal, surrounded by some of the most dedicated fans. Although I am not a huge soccer fan, or fan of any sport for that matter, I had the best time cheering on my home team.
There was an elderly man sitting next to me who, at the end of the game, cheered along with the crowd, celebrating the win and grabbed my hands. Then he started to jump up and down with me, as he was so enthralled in the joy of the game.
I never grew up attending my schools’ sporting events. There was very little school spirit.
At IU, it was a large transition to adjust to an environment where everyone is filled with school pride. At the game, I felt like I was cheering on a place where I was born and raised.
All the fans were so welcoming to everyone to celebrate Seville — unless there was a Betis fan, of course.
Although I was separated from my friends, I enjoyed the game and all of its spirit. Maybe now I will follow international soccer just to see how my team compares to the rest of the professional league.
Seville continues to surprise me in the most amazing ways, which makes it harder and harder to comprehend that I have to pack up soon and return to the States. I know the reality of the situation is inevitable, but I am content ignoring the fact until the very last moment.
Now I am just focusing on finishing up the classes I have left, and soaking in the magic of this city with every experience I can fit into this finite window of time.
