The classification of Deportes Tolima to the Colombian soccer final was not only celebrated with the traditional hug and euphoria of victory, but with an unusual and curious pantomime that has captured the attention of locals and strangers.

As soon as the final whistle was heard at the Américo Montanini stadium, and with the ticket to the grand final secured, the players of the Tolima team did not run to the stands or to hug each other, but instead embarked on an unusual race.

Everyone, like crazy, went out to collect all the balls they could find. The pijaos took over those who had the ball catchers and those scattered around the field.

With all of them in hand, they posed for the official photo, and then kicked them in the air in a gesture full of euphoria and, perhaps, mockery.

This particular way of celebrating, which generated laughter and confusion in equal measure, was not a simple occurrence of the moment.

The unusual celebration had a very specific and spicy underlying reason. After the game on the second round of home runs, the rival coach, Leonel Álvarez, harshly criticized Deportes Tolima’s tactical approach.

In that match, the team led by Lucas González had to defend tooth and nail after suffering an expulsion.

Curious celebration! As Leonel Álvarez requested: Deportes Tolima ‘took the balls home’

Álvarez, upset by what he considered an ultra-defensive game, launched a phrase that now makes complete sense: “If they want, they can take the balls home.”

The Tolima players, who evidently did not forget the comment, took the criticism literally, waiting for the right moment to respond with cunning and ingenuity.

Thus, upon reaching the final, the message was clear: indeed, they were ‘taking the balls’.

This peculiar act served as an indirect and mocking blow against the words of Leonel Álvarez, transforming a criticism into the inspiration for an epic celebration.

The creative and unconventional celebration of Deportes Tolima not only marks its passage to the final, but also adds an unforgettable and mischievous anecdote to the recent history of the tournament.

While the euphoria overwhelms the ‘pijao’ fans, the gesture of ‘taking the balls’ has left a trail of curiosity and, why not, some discomfort on the rival team’s side.

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