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ALL DRESSED UP >>>> Spanish national soccer team fans dressed as bullfighters pose for a photo

World Cup Blog | Bill Saporito When Both Sides Paint The Town Red subscribe to TIME Printable Version email this story Bill Saporito: Read all his blog entries

Posted Tuesday, June 20, 2006; 17.18BST
Thoughout the afternoon yesterday the Konigstrasse — Stuttgart's main pedestrian shopping area — was a sea of red. The Spaniards were in town in numbers, anticipating the next step on their march to the finals. How could they think otherwise after the dismantling of Ukraine a few days earlier? They sang Y Viva Espana, chanted, and offered us the spectacle of watching troupes of men dressed as matadors, others in folk dresses parading down the strasse, parking every hundred meters or so for another beer. It was another scorcher here. You could call that Spanish weather, but then again Spain was up against Tunisia.

Christof Stache / ap FULL FACE >>>> A Tunisian supporter

The Tunisians were also decked out in red, albeit a slightly deeper shade. But they had the Spanish beaten on the hat front. While Spain's supporters sported matador caps, the Tunisians had the fez thing going, not to mention some pointy red numbers. Spain answered with castanets but Tunisia countered with ghaitas. Then, on the way to the game, I spotted one guy carrying a hookah. So we'll give the nod to Tunisia as winner of the pre-game antics.

And when the whistle blew at the Gottleib Daimler Stadion, the Tunisians got right down to business. I have always liked to watch the North African teams such as Morocco and Tunisia take on the big guns. They are an absolutely fearless bunch. "What's that, you're a big European nation? You don't mind if we kick you around the park for awhile." They go at it and don't seem to worried about losing, which is a good thing, because inevitably they lose a lot.

Tunisia got Spain's attention early, scoring in the 8th minute thanks to a some workmanlike efforts from Zied Jaziri who centered to Jaouhar Mnari who scored on his own rebound. And the lead held until the 71th minute, when Spanish subs Joaquin and Raul combined to right their ship. Minutes later, Spain was ahead for good on Fernando Torres' great run and finish. He would add a penalty in injury time, but the Tunisians, as usual, gave you your money's worth. Welcome back to the Cup, gents.

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