Day 14, World Cup 2010: Ramos, a footballing Errol Flynn

Running right alongside Brazil 2014, this is my day-by-day story of how Spain won the last World Cup. You can catch up on previous posts.

These stories are from Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja’s Historic Treble, by Graham Hunter

La Roja work out locally because the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria has just hosted USA vs Algeria and the organising committee is concerned that if both teams train on the pitch tonight, it will not be in good condition for the Group H decider tomorrow.

For this short trip Spain will risk the bus on the N12. The real reason is that if things go against them then the next travel itinerary will be to Oliver Tambo Airport and onwards to Madrid. They won’t need a flight back to their base here in Potchefstroom.

Meanwhile, I grab Sergio Ramos and ask him what he was up to the other night against Honduras. His performance was not 100% disciplined and restrained and thus, perhaps, not quite what Del Bosque ordered, but it was thrilling to watch. He ran a trench into the right touchline, nearly scoring on three occasions.

“Yeah, I wanted to score and dedicate it to someone [female] whom I promised to get a goal for in this World Cup. I didn’t score in Germany four years ago so I promised that over here I’d do a special celebration for her. Hopefully I can fulfil my promise.”

Ramos lives with a swagger, a footballing Errol Flynn. He played with a pain-killing injection at Ellis Park, his ribs flaring with each swashbuckling run.

Sergio Ramos: “I’m delighted to be known as someone who hungers for the big games, the pressure games. Against Chile it will be a massive match, full of emotion. We know from experience that there are masses of people watching at home desperate for us to do well. I like to feel that they can identify with my pride in playing for Spain and my love for the national team jersey. I want it to show.”

Read Next Day 13, World Cup 2010: Thou Shalt Not Be Sent Off Read Next Day 15, World Cup 2010: Chile 1 Spain 2