The FIFA Club World Cup was a success in Brazil, and a success for Brazil.
Right from the start, the traveling mass of Brazilian supporters created an atmosphere that forced some critics to concede that the tournament was much more than a preseason kickabout. As the country's four representatives (Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo) made progress, back home the competition was a main topic of conversation at every bus stop and supermarket line.
At times, it almost felt like a World Cup where the national team was taking the field four times in three days.