Olaaaay, Olay, Olay Olay!

In early February we supported the Argentinian Davis Cup team in their first round tie against Great Britain held at the relatively new, 14,500-seat Parque Roca stadium on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.


The three days of matches kicked off with some pomp and circumstance and even the appearance of a member of British Royalty, 43rd or so in line for the crown.


The Argentinians fielded a team lead by national hero David Nalbandian.


Other local favorites Willy Cañas and Juan Monaco were injured, but on-hand to support their team and country, and created quite a scene when they tried to sneak into the stadium.


This Davis Cup tie felt more like a soccer match than a tennis tournament. The usually polite and proper tennis crowd was replaced by stadium-full of gregarious and vocal fans who thoroughly tested the chair umpire's ability to keep control of the match.

While none of the matches were close you never would have known it from the enthusiasm generated by the patriotic Argentinian crowd who chanted, cheered, whooped and sang as though every point were match point.


And even though the presence of grey skies and a few passing showers did their best to make the stadium feel more like home for the away team, it wasn't enough to help the young, inexperienced Brits against the Argentines.


By Sunday afternoon, with a score of 4-1, the Argentinians had secured their place in the Davis Cup quarterfinals where they are now set to face Sweden at Parque Roca in April. We'll be there again to cheer them on. Vamos Argentina!