Fans from all over the world have a ball at Rio's famous beach
PUBLISHED ONJuly 06, 2014 6:00 PM
Whoever thought that shirt-swopping happens only on a football pitch should probably visit Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.
There, on the white sand and with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, fans from all over the world trade high-fives, football stories, rounds of beer and, yes, even shirts.
Argentinian Paul Mengon had never met German Dietmar Seufzer. But when it is World Cup season, anything can happen.
Said Seufzer, 47, who is in Brazil with a small group of friends: "We were sitting next to these guys in the bistro, exchanged greetings and than came the suggestion to swop shirts.
"I thought: 'Why not?' "
So he took off his Bastian Schweinsteiger jersey and Mengon his Lionel Messi one and both took part in a ritual that is usually carried out by players.
But with the spirit of goodwill and camaraderie in abundance on Copacabana, as with the caipirinha (Brazil's national cocktail), it is not uncommon to see fans of different countries mixing like long-lost buddies.
"It's one big amazing party, a daily party for one month," said Mengon, 46, who has been in Brazil since June 11 and managed to get tickets to all four of Argentina's games so far.
Added his friend Tomer Tpinkusiewicz, who is of Polish-Argentinian descent: "It's just such a great atmosphere.
"You meet an average of about 50 people every day, from different countries.
"I've met people from Luxembourg, Zimbabwe; I've probably met at least one person from every continent so far."
Seufzer, who arrived in Brazil just in time to watch the Germany-Algeria game, is staying until the July 13 final in Rio.
He said: "It's a great atmosphere. Look around you, everyone is happy, talking to each other; it's an amazing feeling."
Although the spirit of the World Cup is evident in the stadiums and city centres of all 12 host cities, it is at Copacabana where football fever has been taken to a whole new level.
The beach boasts Brazil's biggest Fifa Fan Fest zone, where thousands gather to watch matches live on giant screens.
Bistros and restaurants line the beach and supporters often gather before and after games to have a few drinks or food.
With a beach setting, it does not matter whether you are dressed in a T-shirt and shorts or a bikini.
Everyone is welcome.
Throw in the street peddlers trying to sell everything from whistles and fake Brazil jerseys to hats and sunglasses, and just imagine Bali, only on a much bigger scale and, of course, with the football fever.
Even the business owners are giving the thumbs-up sign.
Said Hector, a waiter at one of the beach bistros, when asked how business has been during the World Cup: "Muito bom (very good)! "Many fans, happy.
"Everyone happy."
marclim@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on July 5, 2014.
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