Buenos Aires Football Match: Unreal Experience

" I ghope you ghave left your ghuns behind but ghave been sharpening your knives! " Was the greeting we received from an unusually tall and typically steamy looking Argentine who then proceeded to casually stroll across BAs 18 lane motor way raising his tatooed hand to slow traffic for his guests, us. This was going to be some experience!

Penerol supporters in yellow, heavily guarded by riot police

Historically the teams that were to be playing are the most successful in the Copa Libertadores (South Americas Champions league). Over the history of the tournament  Indepentiente of Argentina have won 7 times and Penarol of Uruguay 6. The rivalry was going to be fierce, so much so that the sale of booze is prohibited in a 20 block radius of the stadium and literally armies of riot police stand ready for any outbreaks. It was only then, sitting in a crammed minibus on course to Indepentiente home ground did Bielo "the retard" realize that he was donning the colours of Penarol! He was literally fearing for his life if the result went in favour of the Uruguayans.        

Some Ayobaness in Buenos Aires

We were met outside the stadium by our hosts/bodyguards, both 6ft 6 and possibly two of the meanest looking motherf#*kers currently living.They  lead us through various full body pat downs to our seats. Our seats were in the core Inde support base and on arrival we were met with many a disapproving stare from the thousands of die hard fans.  However, after numerous hand shakes and mafia style cheek kisses between our hosts and other heavies we were granted the right to sit in their stand.
We had arrived 45 minutes early but the preperations had already begun as groups of hooligans tied massive red streamers from the grandstand roof to the barbedwire fence in front and began hoisting gigantic flags. (the fact that half the supporters couldn't see a thing didn't seem to bother anyone)

Chunky and Rob soaking in the vibe

The stands cramped up as the kick off approached and as the first wistle blew the crowd burst into chants. The first half was goalless but the support was relentless and as apposed to our laid back approach to supporting not one person sat down during the entire half and an endless array of warcries continued throughout. Although there is no alcohol anywhere to be seen, the amount of illegal substance being smoked on the stands was reminiscent of a Reggae concert in Jamaica. We were amazed watching one guy sitting near us smoke three consecutive joints before halftime. Needless to say it looks like this brother was on another planet!
 

This brother was nowhere after his fourth joint

The second half was a different story altogether as the home team knocked in three unanswered goals much to the delight of the home crowd. The goal celebrations were unreal as the fans uped the intensity and hopped in tune to the drummers causing the entire grandstand to bounce like a trampoline.
Each celebration was more buckwild than the previous one! "Gees" really does take a new meaning over here in these stands with the real supporters of football.

They start them young here in BA

One of the goal celebrations! Each one more buckwild than the last

The final result 3-0 , and the crowds seemed satisfied......or so we thought. Next thing gun shots rang out and rubber bullets wistled past our ears as the riot police fired at the loco indepenentiente holligans. Apparently the boys decided  it would be appropriate to make a run for it and belt the Penarol fans.....when in B.A? 
This happened in the streets and panicking fans, especially us tourists, were bolting towards safety or any cover one could find.    


After this rather incredible experience, one none of us will ever forget, we were all absolutely buggered. Needless to say we slept very well that night after experiencing the real Argentina