World Cup: Hordes of orange-clad Dutch fans and red-bedecked Spaniards were battling it out in Johannesburg to see who could sing the loudest, drink the most and dress the silliest ahead of today's World Cup final.
South Africans gleefully joined in the raucous but good-natured buildup to the game at Soccer City where one of the teams was to lift soccer's greatest prize for the first time.
Some neutrals flying in for the game even wore scarves with both "Netherlands" and "Espana" on them to hedge their bets.
At Nelson Mandela square, Dutch fans in orange double-breasted suits formed an impromptu band to strike up traditional songs with their brass instruments.
Spanish supporters soon gathered next to them on a staircase, belting out "Viva Espana!" at the top of their lungs.
"I accept the Dutch are a bit more colourful and loud and numerous than us," said Spaniard Uani Ruiz. "But we have most of the South Africans behind us, so it will be a very different picture when we are in the stadium."
That view held good in interviews with locals, who, despite their historical ties with former colonisers Netherlands, have taken more to the Spanish team due to the intricate passing and flair football so beloved by purist African soccer fans.
Hawkers were having a last fiesta of sales, with vuvuzela trumpets flying off their stalls, along with scarves, hats and anything else with a dab of red or orange.
Locals had their faces painted with Spanish or Dutch flags, and draped themselves in the colours of their favourite team.
Reuters