Fans greet Uruguay’s World Cup heroes

MONTEVIDEO - An estimated crowd of 150,000 people cheered Uruguay’s World Cup squad Tuesday in Montevideo to celebrate their surprise fourth place in the World Cup.

“This is incredible,” coach Oscar Tabarez said on the steps of the General Assembly in the Uruguayan capital, where a stage was erected to welcome the players, technical staff and federation and government officials.

“We went to South Africa with the dream of bringing back the World Cup. We did not make it, but on our return we got a cup that goes well beyond anything we could imagine,” captain Diego Lugano said of the warm welcome.

Other players were similarly touched by the reception.

“Managing to unite the whole country is incredible. This was unthinkable,” star striker Diego Forlan said.

“We did serious, humble, respectful work. Even if we are a small country, we have professionals to believe in ourselves.”

People from around the country of 3.5 million gathered in Montevideo despite unusually cold weather to cheer for their heroes.

Uruguay were the biggest surprise of the tournament in South Africa, where they lost in the semifinals to the Netherlands and where Forlan was voted the best player.

Nestled between Argentina and Brazil, the country, which won two World Cups in 1930 and 1950, had not reached the last four since 1970.

Their play, commitment and will prompted plenty of praise even beyond Uruguayan borders.

The squad arrived home late Monday and was greeted at the airport by thousands including Uruguayan President Jose Mujica.