Euro 2008!

[DCFinSCB]

Yes, so, I put my life on the line for Spain today, a country I have neither visited nor have any connection to other than viewing Jackass II con senor ViveEspana. We viewed the waning moments at the German beer house in Panama City. We drank beer for the first however many minutes constitutes a game on the patio and went inside to watch the final three minutes or so. To my surprise, there were a few people decked-out in German garb, none of whom had any stronger ties to that country than mine to Spain, but there they were...time runs out and Spain wins. I go to the bathroom. Again, while I am taking care of business I am surprised to hear the bathroom chat demeaning the Spaniards. "We need to burn a Spanish flag," was offered up by a voice sounding like it was raised in the German province of Dothan. Many agreed vocally. My courage, fueled by the German beer, loudly asked to the assembled masses relieving themselves of the above mentioned the following question-"You know what the Germans are calling the Spaniards tonight?"...the nouveau Germans awaited the answer..."WINNERS!", I shouted out. Ha. Then I got the hell out of that bathroom. A bit later this guy who was draped in the German flag stood up in the bar and said something about being back in 2 years, and led the beer hall in a German song of some sort. When the bar was finished we answered the German anthem with the beloved Spanish tune "Na na na na, na na na na, hey-hey-goodbye!" It was good fun.

Welcome to the world of soccer (or football, if you dare to call it that here in the States)!

Especially in international competitions, even when the fans tend to be a little nationalistic, they enjoy the competition. And rarely does it get violent.

Next up on the Footy horizon, the 2008-2009 league competitions. Hmmmm.........time for a new thread!

P.S. United States Men's National Team begins group play against Guatemala, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago beginning August 20th. I'll keep you updated.)

 

[vivaespa?a]

Yes, so, I put my life on the line for Spain today, a country I have neither visited nor have any connection to other than viewing Jackass II con senor ViveEspana. We viewed the waning moments at the German beer house in Panama City. We drank beer for the first however many minutes constitutes a game on the patio and went inside to watch the final three minutes or so. To my surprise, there were a few people decked-out in German garb, none of whom had any stronger ties to that country than mine to Spain, but there they were...time runs out and Spain wins. I go to the bathroom. Again, while I am taking care of business I am surprised to hear the bathroom chat demeaning the Spaniards. "We need to burn a Spanish flag," was offered up by a voice sounding like it was raised in the German province of Dothan. Many agreed vocally. My courage, fueled by the German beer, loudly asked to the assembled masses relieving themselves of the above mentioned the following question-"You know what the Germans are calling the Spaniards tonight?"...the nouveau Germans awaited the answer..."WINNERS!", I shouted out. Ha. Then I got the hell out of that bathroom. A bit later this guy who was draped in the German flag stood up in the bar and said something about being back in 2 years, and led the beer hall in a German song of some sort. When the bar was finished we answered the German anthem with the beloved Spanish tune "Na na na na, na na na na, hey-hey-goodbye!" It was good fun.

You are a good man rooting for unvariably the underdog. Here in the ATL, the Italians, the Czechs, the Russias were all ganign up and rooting AGAINST the beautiful team of Spain.

The reality is we played the best FUTBOL. Leading scorer, David Villa with 4, fewest goals given up 2, won ALL our games, Xavi voted MVP for the tourney and we had the most players on MVP team. It truly was Spanish Invasion, long awaited for many of us. Never seen before in my lifetme, 44 yrs ago, was the last.

Germany gave it a run and so did Turkey, my hat off to them for coming back 3 separate goals. This HAD to be the best Euro EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can only hope we see more of the same during World Cup 2010. Now, time to root for those teams to make the World Cup field.

OLE, OLE, OLE, O-----LE

 

[yorkshireman]

Was there a riot or something after France was bounced, or is that a phenomenon unique to England? By the way, where was England? Did they not make it into this tournament?

England didn't qualify, dude, for two reasons...

1. Steve "the wally with the brolly" McClaren. He seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth by the way. Probably still in hiding from the (in my opinion thoroughly deserved) death threats after the Croatia game

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Being-sacked-England-saddest-day-career.html


2. The players who without exception weren't fit to wear the three lions on their chests. A bunch of gutless, choking, overrated, overpaid, talentless nancy boys on three hundred grand a week. Not much by US sporting standards I realise, but still at least five times what the Russians, Croatians and Israelis are paid. (At least before the tournament. Their earning power will have gone up since).

The England team were so up their own arses, they thought they only had to turn up to win. Amazingly the Croatians and Russians had other ideas, and deservedly, if humilatingly, turned them over. Even Azerbajan was a close run thing...


Never mind, no-one in England cared very much so it was OK. Actually, as it turned out it was a wonderful tournament for the neutral with no skin in the game. Spain were worthy winners.

Besides, there were other things to occupy minds:

http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008/06/27/ronaldos-wag-nereida-gallardo-officially-not-hot