I have been a huge football fan over the past 10 years especially following the premier leagues of top European nations and the Champions league on the little TV screen miles across in Goa. It was a dream come true to witness the live crowd and massive fan following at football matches. It has been 3 years in London and this is the second time I was cheering Chelsea at Stanford Bridge. Being a part of live audience at Stanford Bridge, I was telling Veda about my interest in Football and it feels magical to sit and witness Champions league 2008. 10 years ago, I had never foreseen this event in my life and it was happening in front of my naked eyes.
This time besides being an audience, I was a commentator as well, more so like a football guide, brushing Veda through the rules and introducing her to the players and the teams. Though she has never followed Football or hasn’t been able to distinguish between Chelsea and Cluj players apart from their Jersey colours, she was trying all her level best to cope up with the fast paced game and enjoy herself like everyone else at the stadium.
The match was as exciting as predicted knowing the fact that Chelsea had to win to advance to the next stage of the Champions league. Chelsea’s Kalou scored the first goal after a tedious struggle. Cluj equalised in the second half through a splendid goal by Kone. It was eventually Drogba who scored the winner for Chelsea. In the end, it was 90 minutes of fun and excitement for me and Veda.
We were on our way back home with a broad smile and cherishing every moment of the Chelsea victory. I really won’t comment on the extent of fun Veda had, whether she understood the technicalities or not, but I was smiling to myself all my way back home because the only thing what she was saying was
“Blue is the colour,
football is the game,
we are all together and winning is our aim,
so cheer us in through the sun and rain,
cause Chelsea Chelsea is our name”.
-Satyam
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