Uruguay welcomes its WC heroes

“This is incredible,” coach Oscar Tabarez said on the steps of the General Assembly in the Uruguayan capital, where a stage was erected to welcome the players, technical staff and federation and government officials.

“We went to South Africa with the dream of bringing back the World Cup. We did not make it, but on our return we got a cup that goes well beyond anything we could imagine,” captain Diego Lugano said of the warm welcome.

Other players were similarly touched by the reception.
“Managing to unite the whole country is incredible. This was unthinkable,” star striker Diego Forlan said.

“We did a serious, humble, respectful work. Even if we are a small country, we have professionals to believe in ourselves.”

Uruguay were the biggest surprise of the tournament in South Africa, where they lost in the semifinals to the Netherlands and where Forlan was voted the best player.