Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Partying Continues as Brazilians Celebrate World Cup Win

Aired July 01, 2002 - 14:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's been nearly 30 hours since Brazil clinched its fifth world title, but the party that began after Sunday's game shows no signs of stopping.

CNN's Harris Whitbeck reports from Rio de Janeiro.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a celebration many thought would never happen. For a while there, it looked like Brazil's national soccer team might not even make it to the World Cup finals, let alone win the championship for the fifth time.

"Nobody thought we would win, but I think in the end it was, in fact, faith that helped us," he says. "After all, God is Brazilian."

Some invoked local gods to help the national team along. This practitioner of Candomble, a local religion that has roots in black Africa, made an offering of small cloth effigies of Brazil's rival, the German team, their feet and hands bound. In the end, the celebration was as much about soccer, Brazil's national passion, as it was about Brazil itself.

"Once again, we have demonstrated we have the best soccer in the world," said this man said. Brazil also throws some of the best parties in the world. Students from a samba school expressed their joy at the win by demonstrating their latest lessons. They turned the streets of Copacabana into a giant dance floor dominated by music and shouts of joy.

Even the odd German felt compelled to join in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My heart is very bad, but for now we make a big fiesta here. It's OK.

WHITBECK: Any initial doubts about Brazil's chances of winning were quickly forgotten in the massive celebration.

(on camera): A celebration that will continue for days. Once the winning team returns to the country, it will tour its major cities, launching the street parties Brazil has become famous for.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Rio de Janeiro. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com