The stage is set, the modest Hurricanes Arena (capacity 6008) is being prepared for the event. I was hoping the final would be held on a grander stage such as Crazy Bob's mammoth Boom Shakalaka with it's capacity over 20,000 but alas organizers have booked this much more intimate venue. That said it's the toughest ticket in the country with even bleacher seats commanding a Kings ransom on the resale market, that is if you can find anyone willing to part with one. This is where the journey started several months ago, it is appropriate this is where it will end. The last time here saw a heart stopping win over Senegal which truly set the tone for both teams. But all along it has been about taking down the defending champs, and we did nick one from them a week ago but at this point it might as well been a milennium .
In many ways the task is akin to trying to pull off a major upset. Think USSR VS USA at the 1972 summer Olympics, or the "Miracle on Ice" between those same two countries in the 1980 winter games. With the good doctor in mind let's compare this to Uruguay stunning Brazil in the 1950 world cup final. Or Maybe Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. Villanova vs Georgetown in 1985 or NC State vs Houston, or even Joe Namath's famous "Guarantee" when the NY Jets Though for those of you in the RSA it is perhaps most akin to a feat from your Homeland from a quarter century ago.
As the tip comes close, the crowd already for the most part settled in, enjoying the pregame festivities occuring before the thousands assembled outside being broadcast inside the arena which include performances from the likes of Sixto Rodriguez performing his greatest hits and (naturally) Ladysmith black mombazo performing the RSA national anthem the opponent comes out of their tunnel to a chorus of catcalls. As they settle on to their bench suddenly the house lights go down... And a familiar image and some familiar words echo from the replay screens on the scoreboard.
https://youtu.be/SAa6qdBN7Z0As the house lights come back up it's of all people Dave Matthews on stage (he's performing at halftime as well) as the band strikes up again
https://youtu.be/MxBsgTa1594 as montage of highlights from the competition along with cutaways to the scene outside plays as the teams take their final warmups.
At the conclusion as the final notes fade away and the crowd roars the house lights go down once again as on the screen a image of the Afrobasket gold trophy appears on the screen "Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the finals of Afrobasket '46 here are your starting lineups"
https://youtu.be/rIfXpLsxl64Last edited by coachlambini (South Africa u21) at 8/11/2019 9:51:42 AM