Spanish set for 36-hour, $2 million party

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JOHANNESBURG – Spain’s victorious World Cup squad will be treated to a lavish celebration party that will last for 36 hours and will cost more than $2 million.

The Spanish team’s victory tour, which involves a parade through the streets of Madrid and celebrations with family, government ministers and members of Spain’s soccer federation, was planned in advance of the team’s 1-0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands on Sunday night.

Spanish fans celebrate in Madrid following their national team's World Cup victory over the Netherlands.
(Armando Franca/AP)

Head coach Vicente Del Bosque and his jubilant players will land at Madrid’s Barajas airport late Monday afternoon. After being greeted by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, the Spaniards will embark on an extraordinary series of parties and tribute events that will last all the way until late Tuesday night.

“No one is going to want to sleep for a long time,” goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas said. “It is special, magical. We will enjoy it, don’t worry.”

The team’s first port of call is the Moncloa Palace, the official residence of Zapatero. They will meet senior figures in Spanish society and members of the government and be entertained with champagne.

From there, an open-top bus will parade the team through the streets of Madrid, which is expected to be packed with 200,000 joyous fans desperate to cheer on their heroes.

Spain had previously never won the World Cup and the government immediately endorsed the festivities. Details were released to the public so that fans could get the best possible view of the bus tour.

Much of the $2 million bill will go to extra policing and security, although the occasion is expected to be purely celebratory and relatively trouble-free. However, economists have already predicted the positive economic effect of the Spanish win will far outstrip that figure.

“It is a special moment in the history of Spain and Spanish sport,” Zapatero said. “The whole country deserves to enjoy this and take pride in this group of men.”

The highlight of the bus ride will be a stop at the Principe Pio, a famous hill on the west side of Madrid. That is where the biggest crowd is expected to congregate and where Casillas and each of the players will hoist the World Cup trophy.

From there, a meal is planned at an upscale restaurant that specializes in traditional Spanish food to be shared with a select group of friends and family members. But after the players have been wined and dined, the festivities begin again in earnest with an invitation-only party at the New Garamond, Madrid’s swankiest nightclub.

Yet even when the squad emerges in the early hours, there will be more fun to be had.

After carefully selected appearances of morning television and sports shows, the team will head for breakfast and then to the house of Casillas. The team will watch a repeat of the game, with more celebrations and visits from various dignitaries and sponsors to follow.

“The celebration is going to be fun,” defender Sergio Ramos said. “And it is going to be long.”

Eventually, players will depart late on Tuesday night to head back to their respective homes and catch up on some much-needed rest.