Un partido de fútbol en Rosario, Argentina

 some of us before the start of the game

argentine stadium food (un chorizo)

 play ball! (oh wait.. wrong sport)

the most famous soccer players that have played for Newell's 

(Lionel Messi is from Rosario and started his professional soccer career playing for Newell's)

the giant flag and smoke cannons (red and black obviously)

 the flag covers the whole part of the stadium shown below

 Newell's just scored and they lit the place on fire

Giant red fire flares 

There are two football teams here in Rosario.  One is Rosario Central (blue and yellow) and the other is Newell's Old Boys (red and black). They are huge rivals and it is impossible to like them both; sides MUST be chosen.  I am a fan of Newell's (El Glorioso) after going to their game yesterday against another team called Independiente.  The game (partido) was unlike any sporting event I have ever seen before, and this is coming from a girl who LOVES Boston sports.  My group and I sat in a section that is a little calmer and safer than the others because the Rosarinos are extremely dedicated to their team and things get a little crazy.  They have a giant flag that covers half the stadium that is let out at the beginning and the end of the game, there are always drums being played, songs being sang, insults being shouted and this is just during regular play.  The game was tied 1-1 with only 10 minutes left when Newell's scored the winning goal and I have never seen so many people go absolutely crazy all at once like that!  Fireworks started going off, giant red flares were light all over the stadium and after everyone is done hugging and kissing everyone in a 10 foot radius they all start singing songs that I couldn't quite understand but I am sure they would be considered "unsportsmanlike conduct" in the US.  The people sitting in the craziest side of the stadium were all jumping up and down and running around it looked like red and black waves of the ocean.  Attending a soccer game while here in Latin America was high on my list of things that I wanted to do, and Newell's Old Boys certainly did not let me down with an unforgettable experience and a WIN on top of that. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL!!!