Secular Uruguay converted by beautiful game

Widely-regarded as South America’s most secular country, Uruguay reserves its religious devotion for football which has reached fever pitch with the national team’s progress to World Cup semi-finals.

Despite a population of just 3.4 million people, Uruguay has produced two World Cup winning teams in 1930 and 1950 while Tuesday’s clash with the Netherlands in Cape Town will represent a fifth semi-final appearance.

“Football is the principal element of unity between Uruguayans and has represented social cohesion from very early days,” said Luis Prats, an expert in the history of Uruguayan soccer.

“In 1916, there were two black players in the national team that took part in the Copa America and won the first of 14 continental titles (joint-record holders with Argentina).

“Then there was the success of the 1920s (Olympic gold medals in 1924 and 1928) which was the source of pride for this small country that started to become known in the world because of its football.

“In particular, this was really noticed when the country hosted the 1930 World Cup.”

Geographically sandwiched between the two giants of South America, Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay won that first World Cup tournament, which coincided with celebrations to mark the country’s centenary.

Twenty years later, Uruguay won a second world title thanks to a 2-1 win over Brazil before a world record crowd of 193,850 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

More recently, Uruguay’s World Cup fortunes have faded with just a semi-final showing in 1970 to boast of.

But South Africa has witnessed a resurgence with the Uruguyans left alone to carry South Amerian hopes into the semi-finals following the shock defeats of Brazil and Argentina.

Football passions in the country are often wrapped up in politics.

Various centre-right governments of the Colorado party have dominated the political landscape for over a century and also have influence over Penarol, the country’s most popular club.

Former president Julio Maria Sanguinetti (1985-1990, 1995-2000) is today the club’s honorary president and the country’s first left-wing head of state Tabare Vazquez (2005-2010) was also president of the Progreso football club, which won its only title in 1989.

The current president Jose Mujica dined with the national squad before their departure for the World Cup finals.

He also calls the captain Diego Lugano before and after each match.

“Uruguay remains a country with a great football culture where the game is important for the passionate fans as well as other people,” said team coach Oscar Tabarez.