On Wednesday, Fans of Paraguayan soccer team Olimpia pulled out all the stops ahead of their biggest game in over a decade.
22,000 fans packed the Estadio Manuel Ferreira in Asuncion, Paraguay, for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final. As their heroes took the field for their game against Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, Olimpia supporters began a choregraphed display of cards and banners that was a sight to behold.
The tifo display, as it is known in soccer circles, referred to great moments in Olimpia’s 111-year history, including its three previous Copa Libertadores titles. It also included a message that said (when translated) they “want the fourth.”
Fans, players and commentators were so taken aback by the display, they paid scant attention the fireworks display that raged overhead.
The fans’ passion seemed to lift Olimpia, as it took won the game against Ronaldinho and Mineiro, 2-0. The Paraguayans will take that lead to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where a new champion of South American club soccer will be crowned after the two teams play the second leg next Wednesday.
See Olimpia fans’ display in the video below.
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