Soccer taken most seriously

No one takes soccer as seriously as SOUTH AMERICANS.
Last night's final of the COPA LIBERTADORES provided the proof -- from the flares filling the air with smoke hours before the match to the full-scale brawl at the end.
Brazil's SANTOS beat Uruguay's PEÑAROL, 2-1, to capture the title for the first time since PELE starred for the club in the 1960s.
A new generation of stars led this version of the club called Peixe (fish).
Playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso (age 21) set up the first goal for the prodigiously talented Neymar (19) in the 47th minute. Both players will be transfer targets of European clubs this summer.
Danilo scored Santos' second in the 69th minute. Peñarol pulled one back in the 80th minute thanks to an own goal by Santos' Durval.
Pele celebrated in the stands and I watched on television. It's difficult not to be caught up in the passion of South American soccer. Just avoid the brawls.