Football at the end of the world

ARGENTINA eyewitness

- Henry Flynn

Venture far enough, way down from Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario and the other major Argentinian cities, and you'll reach the end of the world. Or, as some know it, the beginning of everything.

Located near South America's tip, Ushuaia is the southernmost city on the planet and closer to Antarctica than Argentina's capital. And those arriving from the country's north can only get there by crossing the icy waters linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through neighbouring Chile.

Argentina's serene Tierra del Fuego region, around 6,000km from the equator, is home to glacial landscapes, penguin colonies and some of the longest nights on Earth. It doesn't quite evoke Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and celebratory Albiceleste fans parading through sun-kissed streets - as they did after the nation's World Cup triumph last year.

Instead, it's an outpost - a hinterland and final stop for many visitors. But for natives, such as those engaged in football, it also represents a curious starting point.

Removed from River Plate, Boca Juniors, Racing, Independiente, San Lorenzo and the professional giants elsewhere, the area hosts smaller amateur teams. However, some have designs on climbing the football pyramid and becoming relevant in the football-crazy country.

With ten league titles and experience playing in national competitions, Los Cuervos del Fin del Mundo - or, the Ravens from the End of the World - is the most successful team in the region. Then there are local challengers Lasserre, Camioneros de Ushuaia and Camioneros de Rio Grande, with the latter based slightly further north.