Well that’s the Aussie Socceroo theme song, and you know what? I did jump and scream…………not in a stadium, but at Federation Square, in the centre of Melbourne at 5am in the morning, with 20,000 other mad Melbournians as our team succeeded in moving to the final 16 in the World Cup.

I never thought I’d see the day when I would be madly swept up in “soccer fever”, but I have been. I got up at 0230 and rugged up, packed the thermos and the umbrella and headed into the centre of our fair city with my daughter and her friend to watch the Australia/Croatia game on the big screen with the rest of the diehard soccer fans.

The thing that amazed me was the feeling of expectation and goodwill. All those people crowded together……….a good mix of Aussie and Croatian fans, smiling, talking and singing together. The teams came onto the field and the noise of the crowd singing both national anthems gave me goosebumps! Then the game started.

Despite some dodgy calls by the referees, there was good hearted “oohs” and “aahs”………..with each ‘crappy’ call, toilet rolls were thrown in the air to illustrate the thoughts of the fans! Croatia scored the first goal and the singing was deafening from the Croatian fans…………the Soccerroos equalised and the crowd went wild…………jumping, screaming, singing…….drums thumping, trumpets blowing, flares lit and turning Federation Square into a sea of pink smoke……………another Croatian goal and another Aussie goal………….strangers hugged each other, the drums went crazy, whistles blew, people screamed in unison, “Harry, Harry, Harry”………..Harry Kewell had done it…………..equalised the score and qualifying Australia to progress to the next round.

At 1/4 to 7 in the morning the crowd danced out of Federation Suqare into the junction of Swanston and Flinders Streets……….the major intersection in central Melbourne……….the traffic was at a standstill as thousands of fans poured into the street. Flags were flying, soccer balls being kicked into the sky……two guys danced on top of a tram………..the crowd danced down Swanston Street……………laughing, singing, chanting…………….up Collins Street they marched…………to the steps of Parliment House where they danced some more…………one guy stripped down to his Aussie flag undies and danced in front of the mounted Police. People sang “Our team is red hot………..your team is diddly squat”…………..JUBILATION!

The amazing thing about all of this was that among the laughing, singling, chanting throng of Aussie fans was a whole gang of Croatian fans…………singing, laughing and dancing as well………exchanging good humoured banter and all aware of what a great experience they were a part of.

I was so impressed that there was no anger…………..no bad sportsmanship…………..just good humoured ’stirring’ that was enjoyed by all.

Tomorrow morning I’m heading off to the soccer at Federation Square again………this time we play Italy and I know, with a huge Italian community in Melbourne ……………..the game will be just as exciting to be a part of…………….now that my kids live in Carlton (the home of Lygon Street……..the centre of Melbourne’s ‘little Italy’) I will be cheering for the Socceroos, but will be finishing my day, win or lose…………in Lygon Street with a caffe late and a good italian ‘breaky’.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves how very great it is to live in a multi cultural country where we rejoice in our similarities AND our differences and celebrate good natured rivalry on the sporting field without it getting ‘out of hand’.

Go Socceroos!!!

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