Drunken wine tour cyclists clash in Maipu and are escorted by police back to the city where they carry on fighting on Aristides street until the early hours.
Flag waving Chileans camp out on Plaza Independencia in front of the Hyatt to catch a glimpse of their team whilst suffering thrown insults and the occasional stone from Mendoza students who decided to go on truant en masse and add to the carnival like atmosphere.
Stadiums full of jeering fans boo two playing teams they do not support: the result of ill advised double-header fixtures where four teams play instead of two and some fans heavily outnumber others – Mexico being much further from Mendoza than Chile for example.
20km queues at the Chilean border with only one window open at the Argentine immigration post. Five hour waits for stadium tickets. Supporters spotted pushing their cars towards Mendoza, in a desperate search for gas and a rude awakening to Argentina´s ongoing energy crisis.
Even non-football lovers have to admit that the holding of the Copa America in Mendoza has brought some colour to what is usually a dull winter. Lets just hope that the next time it's a little bit better organized.
