Port Elizabeth - Some wore green from head to toe; others were waving red, black and yellow flags. But for an hour the more than 10 500 visitors at the FIFA Fan Fest in Port Elizabeth last night were united by the universal language of music.
Uitenhage-born Loyiso Bala produced a performance that had the crowds screaming for more before the start of the World Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany.
For the German supporters, the screams of pleasure soon turned into groans of horror and despair as their team lost in Durban. Having watched the match on the big screen at St George's Park, some left the venue crying; others departed in silence.
Ecstatic supporters of the Spanish team ascribed the victory to the ability to stay calm, stick to the game plan and create opportunities.
Fan Fest director Glenn van Eck said if the weather played along, he was expecting a massive crowd to attend the play-off for third place in the host-city encounter between Uruguay and Germany on Saturday.
He was particularly excited about the Fan Fest entertainment programme for Sunday, when the Netherlands and Spain will play in the World Cup final.
"We were fortunate to secure great artists for both Saturday and Sunday. That, coupled with unbeatable football action, should have the fans streaming in."
Entertainment highlights for Saturday's clash, which will be shown live on the big screen from
20.30, include The Modes, Don't Panic, 13th Floor, Gritt, Universal Translators and Evolver 1, who will be on stage at 19:00.
After the match, DJ Afterparty, featuring DJ Nutty, will entertain visitors.
On Sunday, the gates will also open at 13.15, followed by a jam-packed programme, including performances by Jam Room, the Bay Jazz Band, Mighty Temptations and the Key Note Jazz Band and JR, at 17:00.
Jesse Clegg, regarded by many as the highlight of the day, will be on the stage at 17.45.
The official closing ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2010 starts at 18:30 and will be shown live on the big screen.
The ceremony will be followed by the SA Tourism Diski Dancers at 19.15 and the official closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela Bay FIFA Fan Fest.
The match between Spain and the Netherlands starts at 20.30. It will be followed, aptly, by DJ After Party, featuring DJ Superman.
Entrance to St George's Park is free.
