A recent swine flu outbreak in Buenos Aires cast doubt over the proceedings of the first leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores, Latin America’s most prestigious club competition. But the two finalists, Cruzeiro of Brazil and Estudiantes of Argentina, are scheduled to play Wednesday in La Plata, Argentina, located about 35 miles southeast of Buenos Aires. The swine flu outbreak has caused disruption to the tournament for months. In May, Mexican clubs San Luis and Chivas of Guadalajara were forced to pull out of the contest after South American clubs declined to play in Mexico at the height of its swine flu outbreak in April and May.
After six months of whittling finalists from 40 teams, the two finalists seek to recapture past success. Estudiantes claimed three straight wins in 1968, 1969 and 1970, while Cruzeiro won in 1976 and 1997. Estudiantes midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, fit after missing the semifinal clash with Nacional with a calf injury, will attempt to emulate his father Juan Ramon‘s achievements by winning the continental title with Estudiantes. “For us this is very important,” Veron told Argentina’s La Nacion newspaper. “The last time Estudiantes was in the final (1971), the old guy was playing.”
The clubs also met in the group stage of this year’s tournament. Cruzeiro won 3-0 in Brazil, but Estudiantes exacted revenge with a 4-0 drubbing in the return match in Argentina.