WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : WE WERE ROBBED, BOLIVIANS SAY

The reaction from the Spanish-speaking media in the wake of Bolivia’s 1-0 defeat by Germany in the World Cup opener varied from boosterism to pride:

Broadcaster Javier Echavarria of the Bolivian Radio Group, angered by the apparent lack of an offside call on Germany’s goal, said: “The Bolivian people voiced their unhappiness about the officiating of the game, but they were not going to file a protest about the referee (Arturo Brizio Carter of Mexico) because it would establish a wrong precedent.”

Reporter Arteaga Meneces of the Bolivian newspaper Miulpima Hora (The Ultimate Hour) shared that view: “The result was unjust because the game should have ended in a tie. The goal was offside. I was hoping for more from Germany. Everybody thought they’d squash Bolivia.”

But reporter Pedro Carcuro from the Chilean CHIT news agency was more restrained. “Bolivia was dignified,” he said. “It was an historic accomplishment. Bolivia did so well, the game should have ended in a tie.”

Carcuro was saddened by the ejection of veteran Bolivian star Marco Etcheverry.

“It was stupidity for El Diablo (Etcheverry) that after seven minutes in the game and two transitional plays, he was thrown out. He was so eager to play that he transformed his great opportunity in a negative way.”