Ambassador: Spain played with passion, pride

Ambassador Aristegui was joined by his countrymen and women who witnessed the game at Trotters Restaurant at the corner of Maraval and Sweet Briar Roads in St Clair yesterday.

“I am very, very happy and proud. I have to say that from the beginning the national team was a very good group both on and off the field. We had very high expectations from the start so we are grateful for this victory at what was an excellent World Cup tournament,” Ambassador Aristegui said.

“The players have made all of Spain very proud not only for the victory but for the way we have behaved,” he said. Noting that Spain’s Queen Sofia watched the final live at Soccer Stadium in South Africa, Ambassador Aristegui said: “His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Majesty Queen Sofia have always supported sportsmen and women of Spain, so it came as no surprise to see Her Majesty at the World Cup Finals live in South Africa. We are passionate people and we are passionate about sports especially football,” the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Aristegui said that the World Cup victory was important for his country as it gives citizens reason to celebrate even as the country is slowly beginning to recovery from a sluggish economic activity which has plagued most of Europe within the past two years.

He thanked officials at Trotters for yesterday’s football lime at which he mixed freely with Spanish nationals living, studying and/or working in this country.

“The feeling when Senor Iniesta scored the goal was electrifying in here at Trotters. I must thank the people of Trinidad and Tobago for I know that many of them were supporting Spain. I want to thank the Netherlands also for playing a hard, tough and honest game of football.”

“The Trinis love their football. You should have been here to see the roar from the crowd when the goal was scored...there was a party for over an hour and half after the game. I had great fun,” Ambassador Aristegui said.

Warner overjoyed for Spain

Acting Prime Minister Jack Warner, basking in his correct prediction that Spain would win the 2010 World Cup, told Newsday that he is very happy to have backed the winning side. “I told you that Spain would win. My prediction was accurate,” Warner told Newsday through his spokeswoman Ann Dookie.

“And I want to make another prediction. I am hoping that this victory by Spain over the Netherlands is a sign of things to come. I now make another prediction, I predict that on July 26, the People’s Partnership will once again be successful,” Warner said as he referred to the upcoming Local Government Elections.

He said that Spain fully deserved to win the final over the Netherlands as the team played with pride and passion, key components of a successful football team.