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WORLD CUP FINAL FAMILY FUN – ON SCENE WITH BILL WILSON

12 July 2010

BY BILL WILSON
Sentinel Photojournalist
Bill Wilson © 2010

It was expected to be the largest viewing audience of any event in the history of the world exceeding the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing. Arriving well after the game had started, I worked my way to the front of the crowd at Civic Center. I realized what an amazing feeling it was to know that I was connected to 700 million other people who were viewing the same action on their television screen in the same moment as I was seeing it on the jumbotron in front of City Hall.

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An exclusive photo of the crowd on the plaza from the Mayor’s balcony at City Hall
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

I was also struck by the politeness of the crowd. When I said, “Excuse me.” People actually moved out of my way. The people who wore such outlandish get up really enjoyed having their picture taken.

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City Hall reflected in orange sunglasses
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

It was definitely a family friendly event with children of all ages given a variety of activities from playing soccer, picking up free books from the SF Public Library Bookmobile and working out soccer themed puzzles.

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The next generation of World Cup soccer players
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

Mayor Newsom attended with his daughter, Montana. The Mayor watched as much of the match as he could before having to pick up his wife at SFO. His daughter, Montana, seemed to be absorbing all that was going on around her as most nine month olds are prone to do.

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Mayor Newsom and daughter, Montana
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

The General Manager of the Recreation and Parks Department, Phil Ginsburg also had his family in attendance.

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RPD general Manager Phil Ginsburg and family
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

Someone gave Phil a vuvuzela that they had gotten in South Africa. He did know how to make it sound.

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Vuvuzelas to the right
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010.

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Vuvuzelas to the left
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

Some people consider their dogs to be their children so it is only fitting that there be Espana jerseys for the canine fans

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Someone had the correct dog in the hunt for victory
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

It is only proper and fitting that the last photos be of some of the fans of Spain.

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Spanish partisans are happy, Holland fans not so happy as Spain scores what would be the winning goal
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

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Spanish fans express their joy as the game nears its end
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

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After the game becomes history, Spain is number 1
Photo By Bill Wilson © 2010

See Related: ON SCENE WITH BILL WILSON

BILL WILSON
Sentinel Photojournalist
Bill Wilson is a San Francisco-based veteran photojournalist. Bill embraced photojournalism at the age of eight. In recent years, his photos capture historic record of the San Francisco LGBT community in the Bay Area Reporter (BAR), The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Francisco Examiner, SFist, SFAppeal. Bill has contributed to the Sentinel for the past six years. Email Bill Wilson at wfwilson@sbcglobal.net.