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(Posted 8:30
a.m., July 10)
Local latin community celebrates Spain's World Cup win
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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|  Ponciano
and Jonathan Vidosa celebrate their native country's win in the 2010 World Cup
final. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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On Sunday,
Spain erased the ghosts of past World Cups and finally ascended to their righful
place as one of the top soccer powers on the planet with 1-0 win over the Netherlands
in the final of this year's tournament. For
Ponciano Vidosa, it's a dream come true. The 62-year-old owner of the
Su Casa
tapas bar on St. Joseph Blvd. knew that the reigning European Champions had a
legitimate shot at the golden trophy, but he didn't dare imagine it might actually
happen, especially with their star striker Fernando Torres relegated to substitute
status after coming back from a knee injury. "I'm
very proud to see them finally win after almost a century. It's amazing,"
said Vidosa, who had to spend most of the game in the kitchen cooking for customers.
His head cook called in late to say he wouldn't be in until after the final was
over. Although
Vidosa saw the replay of the winning goal, he planned to watch the game in it's
entirety later Sunday evening at home.. Vidosa's
son Jonathan watched most of the game from behind the restaurant's small bar.
When Andres Iniesta beat the Dutch keeper with the game winning goal late in the
second period of extra time he started dancing. "This
is awesome. It proves why Spain is so dominant in soccer right now. I'm very,
very happy we finally won. We deserved it," said the younger Vidosa. After
Spain scored the winning goal, the Vidosa's handed out complementary beer, wine
and sangria to celebrate. On this day it appeared everyone was Spainish. As
for the man of the hour, Andres Iniesta, Vidosa agrees he will never have to buy
a drink or a meal in Spain again for the rest of his life. "They will probably
build a statue of him," said Vidosa.
(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.) Return
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