‘Fete Father’ in Germany

The red, white and black have always meant a great deal, being old enough to have relished in the glory we all enjoyed following on the footsteps of one Hasely Crawford in Montreal in 1976.

Barring actually gaining Indepen-dence in 1962, the summer of 1976 probably stood out as the proudest moment in our tiny nation’s relatively short existence, that is until June 10th of this year. Most people who were fortunate enough to have been in Dortmund for the game versus Sweden seem to have great difficulty in relating their experiences of this unforgettable day in our history, simply saying “you had to be there.” The emotional intensity was off the scale, never have I felt prouder to be Trinbigonian.

To fully appreciate and comprehend the emotive value of this day, recreating the build up to the game is very important. Just getting to Dortmund itself on our bus, ringing out soca tunes, with an ample bar (despite the lack of ice — a general problem in Germany) made us feel right at home. Simply being Trini in Germany on this day already carried tremendous momentum, given our harrowing qualification path, bridled along with the painful memories of 1989 and the Strike Squad tucked away somewhere in the back of the brain.

However, having our cultural heritage on show, a rich and proud heritage, set the stage for a momentous day. Hours before the game, thousands of TT fans, all creeds and races, gathered at two venues in close proximity to the stadium for the build-up of what was to unfold. Although we were all quietly confident going into this game, realistically we knew the odds were stacked heavily against us. After all, this was our first taste of World Cup action, and we were up against the experienced and highly fancied Swedes. Somebody surely forgot to tell Dwight and the boys this.

Sweet Soca, as well as Tassa, Rhythm and other cultural offerings rang out from these venues and the stage was set. Germans, as well as countless others, from all over the world, became engrossed and obsessed with things Trini. You could feel the love, everybody became one. This is probably Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest gift to the world, “all ah we is one family.” From the Government’s booth at the Fan Fest to the Soca feast at Angostura’s event, emotion ran high, as Trinidad and Tobago began shouting out, “hey world look we here!” As time drew closer to kickoff, it was time’ to make tracks’ to the stadium. What an experience. Droves of Swedes and Trinis filled the streets leading to the Dortmund World Cup Stadium. The experienced Swedes signing famous football songs in true European style, most Trinis just in awe, caught up in the euphoria of the occasion. This is when one began pinching themselves, was I really walking to a stadium to watch Trinidad and Tobago play its first ever World Cup match, impossible!

To top it off as we got near to stadium, the Trinidad and Tobago team bus so happened to pass, hey who wrote this script. Needless to say it was frenzy and mayhem outside the stadium. The stadium in itself from the outside was an awesome sight, a magnificent structure. Trinis from everywhere began popping up out of the woodwork, “people you eh see in years,” it was like Carnival in Dortmund.

Now one had to gather their senses for it was time to enter the stadium, ticket, passport, anxiety, remember all the talk. Low and behold, “they eh check nothing,” a little scan of the ticket, security personnel rummaged through your personal belongings and “we was in.” The excitement was almost uncontrollable, “we reach.” The first glimpse of the actual pitch is one that will stay with me for life. It was like a young child on Christmas morning, Trinis were running left and right inside the stadium. All the sacrifice, planning and suffering to get here was forgotten, “we had we seats.” It was time to sit and reflect and suck in everything, every detail.

Next thing, the boys come out on the pitch to warm up, “look Latas, look Stern.” “We really reach, we inside.” Needless to say the Swedes outnumbered the Trinis and it did not take long for them to break out in song and gain audible advantage, it was an awesome dominance. A dominance they expected that would soon play out on the field itself. We had to eat some humble pie and soak it in, vigorously waving our Trini flags, as if. Soon the teams disappeared into the dressing rooms to rapturous applause, time was neigh. The next fifteen minutes were simply awesome, for the first time in my life, time stood still.

As those kids walked out with that Trinidad and Tobago flag everything else faded into the background. Nothing else mattered, we really, really reach. Then Dwight led out the boys, wow, what an awesome sight. Again we could have been playing Mars; I didn’t see anything else but our eleven Warriors. Then the moment we all waited for, even Dwight and the boys became invisible, it was all about sweet TT.

All the years growing up in a country so blessed and so magnificent flashed in the mind’s eye. ‘Forged from the love of liberty...,’ tears of joy flowed from big men, hey world, look we here, we ain’t easy. The small TDC TT flags became makeshift hankies, the goosebumps took ten minutes to go away.

Then there was the kick-off, and reality set in, we were up against the mighty Swedes, whose supporters by now were in full voice, simply incredible scenes. Every piece of action was accompanied by a deafening collective groan or cheer. The first half an hour was tense, TT fans, being rookies of the occasion were probably unsure how to react, simply soaking it in. Then we started to feel some confidence, oye, its still nil-nil. The smiles on the faces of the Swedish fans started fading. The signing was not as vibrant. Now you could hear the feint din of the Warrior chant starting to make its world stage debut.

The half time whistle was greeted with true Trini style celebrations in the stands, hey TT played their first half of World Cup football, and despite the predictions of the so-called gurus, we were still very much in the game. Way to go boys. There was 15 minutes of signing and dancing. The boys then reemerged, and the now “experienced” TT fans began to gain voice.

The second half started and before we could settle, the dagger through the heart, a RED card. In true Trini style, from our vantage point, Avery John looked undone by a harsh decision, “the referee tief.” Confusion reigned, The Swedes awoke and we were once again silenced.

This did not last long though, for on the hour, smiles on Swedish faces were once again replaced by a look of concern and consternation. For the first time in history outside of CIC Grounds and the National Stadium, the chant that rang out around the ground was “TT WE WANT A GOAL, TT WE WANT A GOAL!” The final half an hour was tense for all, Swedes begging for a goal, Trinbigonians just happy with the score line as it stood.

Then out of nowhere Cornell rock the post, it was ole mas in Dortmund. In all fairness to the Swedes, despite their anguish, they were in no way aggressive except for the idiot sitting right in front of me. However, good sense prevailed and his friends were able to control him and his childish antics.

The final whistle was like we actually won the World Cup, The Swedes disappeared in a yellow flash, the Trinis stood around and we wine and jam like J’ouvert morning. The fete move from the stands, to the hallways, to outside the stadium, sheer pandemonium. All Trinbigonians were one, nothing really mattered and it began, fantastic scenes of camaraderie and patriotism.

Everyone fell in love with Tree-nee-dad,Toe-bag-go, our infectious nature spread to all, even to some of the depressed Swedes.

We immediately became the darlings of the football world, Trinidad and Tobago’s place on the world map shone brightly. The fete moved to the Angostura event, where Atlantik with Destra and Maximus “mash up de place” into the wee hours of the morning. Fete father.

This set up the two weeks for us, so proud to be Trini, “thing now start.” Whatever happened from here on it did not matter, we came to Germany to get respect and recognition, and on this Saturday, June 10th, we got both! Thank God for TT.