Internacional proves itself, makes me eat my words

	Internacional claimed its first-ever Copa Libertadores title with a stunning blend of talent and teamwork. AP
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PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- OK, Internacional fans, I admit it: You're big-time now.

After 90 minutes of the best action the Copa Libertadores has seen this year, Inter was finally able to write itself into the history books.

Wednesday night's nail-biting 2-2 draw was enough to give the club its first South American title, an accomplishment that adds some much-needed prestige to the organization's identity.

Back in February, just days before the 47th edition of the most important club competition of the continent began, I referred to Inter as "small" when compared to clubs such as São Paulo. Six months later, the southern Brazilians proved me wrong, winning their first major international trophy in outstanding fashion by defeating São Paulo, the reigning South American and world club champions.

The statement I made definitely caused some commotion in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. I received loads of angry e-mails from proud Internacional supporters,  including retorts such as, "To read you calling them a smaller club is painful because it's simply not true."

Many who wrote tried to educate me about their beloved club, including one guy who went out of his way to compile a short video that included Internacional's history and achievements. Some reiterated the fact that Inter has won three Brazilian championships, and in 1979 was the only club in Brazilian history to win the championship while going undefeated.

I already knew the club was "big" in Brazil and had produced players of the caliber of Valdomiro, Falcão, Mauro Galvão, Dunga and Taffarel. But facts are facts: Inter had never won a Copa Libertadores, and in my opinion, to be recognized among the elite of the continent, this title was a necessity.

But now they are the champions, having proved themselves when it mattered most. After winning its group convincingly, Inter knocked out tough opponents, like three-time champion Nacional of Uruguay, Liga de Quito -- a side made up with the bulk of the Ecuador team that reached the World Cup round of 16 -- and Libertad, a solid Paraguayan side that crushed River Plate in the previous round.

However, the result that took the entire continent by surprise was Inter's stunning 2-1 defeat of São Paulo at the Morumbí in the first leg of the finals. It was a match that did wonders to boost the confidence of Inter fans. Shortly after that game I received an e-mail from a fan named Marcelo Larangeira.

Half a year ago the same guy insisted on me visiting his city, and seeing the club that, according to him, was one of the most important in Brazil. And this time he was at it again, offering help and advice for my journey.

"I wrote to you back on Feb. 3 when you, out of nowhere, came up with the idea that Inter is/was a small Brazilian team," he wrote. "We're coming back playing very competitive soccer. Have you decided to go to Porto Alegre to watch us against São Paulo, which, before I forget, is the final of the Libertadores?"

I would be, I wrote back. In truth, I had been keeping track of Inter's progress throughout the competition and was anticipating the club reaching the final. Its final appearance meant that I couldn't afford to miss the opportunity, so I traveled to Larangeira's beautiful city, visited the club and its people and even spoke to the players.

To Marcelo's credit, I was definitely impressed with what I saw and heard. The club is the epitome of professionalism, from its facilities to its management. And then, of course, there are the fans who, according to Marcelo, "are really something very special, big hearted, and not greedy." In visits to Argentina, Uruguay and other parts of Brazil, I had already witnessed their support -- a club that consistently takes around 4,000 fans with it when it competes on foreign grounds.

But Wednesday night was the biggest match in the club's 97-year history, and as I had imagined, all of the Colorado faithful went out of their way to make it a truly amazing atmosphere. They definitely got carried away, but it worked wonders to intensify the tension on the field.

The hundreds of flares in the stands let off such a quantity of smoke that Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo had to stop the game a couple of times because the players couldn't see the ball. Imagine us in the stands -- all we could see was the white smoke that filled the air.

When the smoke cleared, the game resumed and Inter demonstrated why it is the best team on the continent. The Colorado put on a marvelous display against a very strong São Paulo side. Players like Rafael Sóbis, Tinga and Bolívar all proved their worth one final time before their expected departures to European clubs. But team captain Fernandão was the standout, scoring Inter's first goal and assisting on the second.

After picking up South America's grand prize, Inter can now be considered not only "big" in Brazil, but also in the same light as the elite clubs of the entire continent. With December's Club World Cup approaching, Inter has a greater opportunity: to prove itself on the world stage.

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