The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has come to an end for Cape Town, with a dramatic semi-final being the last of eight World Cup™ games to be played at the gleaming new Cape Town Stadium.

The Netherlands beat Uruguay 3-2 to earn themselves a place in the final and the opportunity to win the World Cup™ for the first time. They will play against either Germany or Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Despite a valiant attempt, including a goal during injury time, Uruguay were outplayed by the rampant Dutch team, which is unbeaten so far in the World Cup™, but their small country can be justifiably proud of how well the Uruguayan team has played during the tournament to have reached this stage. They were also the last South American team in the World Cup™.

The Dutch team scored first, but Uruguayan captain Diego Forlan soon equalled. Both teams were slick and well matched, but the Dutch seemed to take control of the match after their second and third goals in quick succession during the second half.

The Dutch supporters also seemed to outdo the Uruguayan fans, with one large pocket of Dutch supporters in the corner singing and dancing non-stop for most of the second half, adding to the electric atmosphere in the stadium.

Many will be sad they’re unlikely to see the stadium utilised in such a way for a while, with no other large-scale matches planned in the near future, and eventual plans to reduce the number of seats. But for many of those lucky enough to witness some of the world’s top teams and finest players at playing on local turf, it has been an once-in-a-lifetime experience. And judging by the numbers of Capetonians who got into the spirit and flocked to the Fan Walk, Fan Fest, and fan jols, the city has fully embraced the experience of hosting the World Cup™.

So what is it actually like to see a match in the stadium, many people ask. Firstly, the sheer size and scale of the facility are overwhelming once inside, yet the green pitch is surprisingly close. Add about 64 000 brightly-dressed soccer fans and the added colour of the various flags and banners hanging over the railings, then factor in the love-it-or-hate-it drone of the vuvuzela, and you have an assault of almost all the senses. The cheering, applause, vuvuzela choruses, Mexican waves and even keeping an eye on the “spider camera” hovering on cables above the pitch make it an engaging and enthralling experience.

The concourse level is also a hive of activity, with its numerous food and drink outlets, FIFA merchandise stalls and even roving ice cream sellers – who don’t seem to do as well as the hot chocolate and coffee stalls.

But for most spectators, attending a match is about more than just the 90-odd minutes of soccer – the whole experience, from taking public transport to using the Fan Walk and queuing to get inside is all about the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the opportunity to dress in silly hats and paint their faces, being able to walk the streets of the city and experience it in a whole new light – and see Cape Town through the eyes of a tourist.

"Our city has changed, how will we ever go back to being normal, and how will we ever come down from this high?" said one resident who had come to experience the Fan Walk.

And even inside, this banner from the Dutch supporters said it all: "Holland salutes South Africa. Baie Dankie!"