While the media was reporting the positive story about Morocco (a rarity among all of the negative press) of the Kingdom's victory over Spain, international media were reporting another story about everyday Moroccans—the kind where a soccer victory isn't going to change their lives.

Moroccans & The Spanish Hug Controversy

Most young Moroccans dream of leaving the country for Europe to embrace a better life than the one in Africa were commenting about the picture, saying that all wants to end up between her arms to feel the European hug. The Red Cross paramedic stated to the media that her gesture was his lifeline and the most normal thing in the world. Many of these European dream seekers took for granted and commented that they would follow the same path to get the Spanish "Hug of the Year."