The EURO cup, similar to the World Cup, is a soccer tournament played by every European country every 4 years. In our second day in Spain, we got to experience the Euro Cup championship game of Spain versus Italy. Soccer in Europe is unlike any sport in the United States. It is a huge part of Spanish culture. One of the teachers at the University today told us that for them, soccer is like a religion. Every Spaniard, young and old, loves soccer. We had the opportunity to witness not just any soccer game, but the European Cup championship game- and not only that, but we got to witness Spain WINNING the championship.
Some students went with their families to watch the game, and then some of us met at the Plaza de Zorrilla, where they had a screen set up outside for everyone to watch the game. We joined thousands of Spaniards in this plaza Sunday night, and had an unforgettable experience. I have never seen people so enthusiastic over sports. There is nothing in the United States that compares to this. After Spain won, everyone began celebrating. Every car was honking their horn. In the streets, everyone was singing and yelling ¡Viva España!. They had a fire truck parked at the end of the plaza and two firemen were on top of the truck spraying their hoses as the Spaniards jumped up and down, celebrating, soaking wet. I have never seen a city so alive. Every single person was outside, from parents who had their children on their shoulders, to older couples, with their arms linked, standing back and watching the celebration.
Here are some pictures at the Plaza Zorilla- before and after the game.
Some students went with their families to watch the game, and then some of us met at the Plaza de Zorrilla, where they had a screen set up outside for everyone to watch the game. We joined thousands of Spaniards in this plaza Sunday night, and had an unforgettable experience. I have never seen people so enthusiastic over sports. There is nothing in the United States that compares to this. After Spain won, everyone began celebrating. Every car was honking their horn. In the streets, everyone was singing and yelling ¡Viva España!. They had a fire truck parked at the end of the plaza and two firemen were on top of the truck spraying their hoses as the Spaniards jumped up and down, celebrating, soaking wet. I have never seen a city so alive. Every single person was outside, from parents who had their children on their shoulders, to older couples, with their arms linked, standing back and watching the celebration.
Here are some pictures at the Plaza Zorilla- before and after the game.