-
Spain fans: Joyous after beating Swedes
Choosing a nation to support at Euro 2008 is by no means a simple task for many Britons. Experiences at home and abroad colour our decisions. For example, some may be unable to cheer on the Czechs because of a stag weekend in Prague that went horribly wrong. Others may dislike the Romanians on account of their export of the Cheeky Girls and their soul-destroying music to this country. And as for the Germans... I'm just not sure that's going to happen.
As I discovered in Liverpool last Monday, supporting a Premier League club with representatives at the tournament helps make your mind up, particularly if several of your players are in one particular squad. But having a friend or family member of a different nationality makes it even easier to jump aboard the Euros bandwagon.
Body parts
And you'll be welcomed with open arms, judging by the convivial atmosphere on Hanway Street before Spain v Sweden on Saturday. My friend's brother was celebrating his birthday, and he arrived at Bradley's sporting a gift from his Spanish girlfriend - a brand new Spain home shirt with 'El Nino 9' on the back. However, although this was undoubtedly an impressive sight, our eyes were averted by a more surreal distraction as hundreds of nude cyclists suddenly surged past us in a sea of pink flesh and bouncing body parts.
The Naked Bike Ride had its good points (I can think of two in particular) but there were also some deeply disturbing images which I quickly tried to dispel by necking my pint of San Miguel. As a spectacle, the peloton lacked the energy of the Tour de France but you have to admire the dedication of any man/woman/not-sure that runs the risk of extensive chafing in the name of charity.
We watched the game in Costa Dorada, a tapas bar just up the street who kindly provided a selection from the menu. This provoked a long and heated discussion about the merits of anchovies and before we knew it, the final whistle was approaching. The Spanish fans had looked anxious during the 90 minutes as their team squandered a series of chances against the stubborn Swedes. Then came Joan Capdevila's punt downfield, and a glorious touch and finish from David Villa, and all the tension disappeared. Sangria all round...
Fillies
Back on Hanway Street, we spent the evening drinking Cruzcampo and dodging taxis until a ripple of excitement went through the crowd when news broke of a celebrity in our midst. It was of course Lee Sharpe, sauntering past arm in arm with two young fillies. O to live the life of a footballer turned love-island-dweller turned Saturday-night-TV-ice-dancer. Sharpey has truly lived the dream.
At the Crown and Two Chairmen, we looked in on Greece v Russia - a predictably low-scoring affair, much to the delight of our Betfair compadre who'd backed 1.5 goals or less. The night ended in time-honoured fashion at a Chinese restaurant (where signs bizarrely urged customers 'not to throw cake') and as we parted company with El Nino and his senorita, I vowed to check my family tree as soon as I got home in the hope of finding a Spanish ancestor, or a forefather from any of the competing nations. Despite my enthusiasm, I have to accept I'm as English as they come - but for the next couple of weeks, I'm happy to describe myself as European.
Comments
James Fitzjohn (Burnley fan) says...
Brilliant
Posted 13:38 16th June 2008
Paul Toner (Manchester United fan) says...
come on portugal ronaldo lead us to more success paul
Posted 18:13 15th June 2008
Add Comment*
All fields are required