Soccer, Hockey and Football

This past Monday in Paris, Lauren, Catherine, Jordan, Joelle, Laura, Jocelyn and I made our way to the Eiffel Tower for the first time. When we got there, we were surprised to find that "Hyundai Fan Fest Park - Paris" had been set up. It was basically a gigantic watch party for the European Championship taking place in Soccer. Looking into the event later I found out that this was something that was set up in 9 cities throughout Europe for the duration the UEFA European Championships.

The game we watched was Spain v. Croatia. Spain ended up scoring with approximately 2 minutes left in the game. When Spain scored, the place went crazy. They shot off flares and people were screaming. People were wearing outfits I would never be caught dead in public wearing. But this scenario showed me exactly how Europeans feel about soccer. The only way I could possibly equate it would be the way Canadians love hockey and the way Americans love football.

After my trip to Toronto, you can see shades of the same love that Europeans have for soccer in the way that Canadians love their hockey teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs are consistently one of the worst teams in the league, but manage to have one of the best records when it comes to selling out their arena. Montreal Canadiens fans have been known to drive to New Jersey just to see a game in order to cheer on their hometown player in Martin Brodeur. Everyone is in love with their hometown player because almost everyone in Canada has one. Hockey is such a popular sport that it isn't uncommon for someone in your town to play hockey.

When you go to the Visitor's Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of the "Must See Attractions" is the Sod Farm owned by the Staal Family. I know for a fact, it doesn't matter who lived there, but in New Jersey there is no way we would go hang out in a sod farm. But this is Canada, and they love their hometown heroes, regardless of what they do. And if you've ever watched the sports channel TSN (Canada's version of ESPN), they have 24/7 hockey coverage because that is the number one sport in the country and everyone loves it.

Americans, although they love the sport of football, they are nothing like Europeans and Canadians. They all have their favorite team, but that's it. Mine, the New York Giants. The chances that an American would watch another football game of their arch rival is almost non existent. Both Canadians and Europeans have no problem with it. They see it almost as scoping out their competition.

By experiencing the homes of these sports you realize just how passionate their fans are. You realize how much they're in love with the sport, and not necessarily their team. Although they all have a favorite team they're just as passionate about, for them it's mostly the sport. For people to get that loud about a team that could be considered an arch rival is almost unheard anywhere else. Experiencing the love Europeans have for their soccer team by being able to see such a major soccer tournament in Europe was unlike anything I've ever experienced previously. I would love to do it again and could only imagine what being in a place like that during the World Cup or the Olympics must be like. Time will tell if I will ever be able to experience that, but if I can, I should start getting ready now.