Poland and Ukraine are known to many as the lands of Kielbasa and post-communism sentiment. These countries might seem irrelevant during your summer months while you soak up all that Northern California has to offer. But for you not-so-selective few that have spare time and would rather not watch Sal Palantonino derive meaning from Brett Favre’s trash can while the summertime ticks away, change the channel, invite a couple of friends over and watch some football. And by football I mean football.
Poland and Ukraine will host fourteen other Euro-playing European nations in a soccer tournament known as Euro 2012. In Europe this event is bigger to many hooligans than the birth of their first-born. Lunatics from all 16 nations will invade Poland and Ukraine ready to put European bragging rights on the line. Fans will arrive painted, drunk and spirited.
To many Americans, watching soccer is not their first priority. Those priorities are, of course, reserved for the likes of Nascar, Facebook and politics. For those willing to linger away from societal norms will be pleasantly surprised with all that the Euro 2012 has to offer.
Fans will be glad to learn that the same elements found in America’s pastime, baseball, can be seen in Euro 2012. While the two sports couldn’t be more different, many of the story lines that have fascinated baseball followers for years also can be found in Euro 2012.
For those baseball fans that enjoy watching specific teams, the Euro has many good equals. England National Soccer Team is the Boston Red Sox of the European football scene. Although talent is never lacking, for whatever reason, the squad has rarely been able to meet their supporters’ trophy-or-go-home mentality.
Yankee supporters who enjoy watching absurd amounts of talent should look into supporting the defending Euro and World Cup Champs, Spain. Marginal Yankee fans can also find solace in supporting Spain. Unlike the Yankees who buy championship caliber players, Spain, like all other participating countries, home grows their team.
For fans that enjoy watching Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton and Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp chase a .400 average, look no further than Netherland’s Robin Van Persie and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Both gold-footed strikers are still relatively young and both are coming off two of the more impressive club seasons in recent memory.
Fans of home runs, shutouts and “web gem” catches can, for one month, turn their attention to Euro 2012 and their wonder strike goals, brilliant goal keeping performances, and acrobatic saves.
I could go on and on about how Germany is going to win the tournament, how Eden Hazard and Belgium are the best team not in the field, or about France’s potential return to excellence, but none of these story lines will have very much weight unless one tunes in.
Soccer, fútbol, football, fußball or however else you want to refer to it is relevant and will be relevant for a while to come. Although Landon Donovan and team (Yes, America wont be participating in Euro 2012), that doesn’t mean we should lose interest as if it was Kony 2012. Euro 2012 is a great event, so turn off Grey’s Anatomy and tune in.
