It's game day! It's game day!
Germany v. Portugal 16-June at 18:00 CET & USA v. Ghana 17-June at 00:00
Before moving to Europe, it's safe to say I considered soccer, or football as it is more aptly named in these parts, to be a sport for children to play until they developed their coordination and minds enough to play a more superior sport. The apparent simplicity of the sport (spare me, people, I now know there's more to it), combined with the low scoring, never peaked my interest.
As a child, I played every sport under the sun and soccer was my first. At age 4, I played on my first team, the Yellow Jackets, with the local YMCA. On one very cold game day, I refused to take off my red jacket, which covered up my yellow jersey, and also decided that my stuffed yellow bunny needed to go on the field with me. Somehow, this story is not where my soccer career ended, rather it ended in the fifth grade when I decide that I would forever hate running.
Fast forward about twelve years, and soccer made its next appearance in my life. I'd just landed in Barcelona for my first day ever on the European continent, and wouldn't you know that Germany and Spain were playing each other in the World Cup semifinals. I painfully rooted for Spain that day, you know, because I was there and all. I had never been to Germany and have no clear German heritage, but somehow Deutschland always held a spot in my heart. Spain won the game and I got my first taste of what soccer really meant to people around the world. The cheers and tears; the fans hearts were more than invested - this game would determine their feelings and even decisions moving forward.
Fast-forward two summers later to the Eurocup. Summers in Germany are pretty epic in general, but there is nothing like major soccer tournament to get every out and energized. As the name hints, it is much like the world cup, but just European teams. Poland hosted the tournament and Germany came out strong. Just thinking about this summer makes me nostalgic. This was possibly the best summer of my life. Lauren and I were both single in the city, our friend group dynamic was perfection, and the weather rarely disappointed. Amongst all the typical parties fell the World Cup parties, where public viewings consist of heavy beer drinking and feeding off the energy of everyone around you. Whether a friend hosts a watch party, you go to a bar, or drink on the street with a game view, you cannot miss the vibes and you're sure to feel like part of the community and country. Unfortunately, much like in the World Cup 2010, Germany fell short and lost in the semifinals yet again, this time against Italy.
I purchased a getürkt (slang for knock-off, faked) German Trikot in Turkey two weeks before the games began and I wore it proudly to the games and afterwards to the clubs. I am more than excited to put it back on tomorrow for Germany's first World Cup 2014 match. Unlike in the USA where flags fly year round in front yards and parking lots everywhere, Germany is a little more hesitant about their national pride. The World Cup sure confirms it though. The otherwise detached Germans become attached - very, very attached. Die Deutsche Nationalmannschaft brings out the passion and the noise and I love seeing this side of the people. I only got a glimpse with the Eurocup and I think it is partially why I am so excited for Germany to finally kick-off tomorrow.
I must say though, it's not just Germany. Admittedly, I've watched about half of the World Cup matches that have aired thus far. I found myself jumping out of my seat when Switzerland scored it's last second goal against Ecuador. Maybe soccer can be exciting after all?
No one enjoy that so-close-yet-so-far feeling. Seeing Germany lose twice in the quarter finals was enough pain. Everyone here is hopeful and ready to take home the world cup. I will be rooting on my home country when the USA faces Germany on June 26, how could I not? However, I am pulling for Germany to go all the way.
Los geht's Deutschland!
Trip down Eurocup 2012 memory lane...
Wowzas, this fever is worse than I thought! I never dreamed I would write this much when I began this post.
Have you caught the World Cup fever?
23 comments
When have been looking at new tv's for months now, I am not surprised at all when this new tv was purchased on opening day of the World Cup. Needless to say my house has now been voted as the place to watch all the games, catching the world cup fever has happened, wanted or not.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fab time! I agree - people here in Canada think of football more as a sport for young children!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled onto your blog and as a Texan myself who lived in Germany for 2 years, I have to say I am LOVING your blog! :) All this sounds all too familiar! I would be honored if you took a peak at my blog :)
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Got your priorities straight cheering for USA. First time I'm on board as well. How I miss the three-colored face paint :(
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny how the very reserved national pride suddenly swells up and explodes for soccer... it's like it's stored up especially for the soccer team. I'm also supporting Germany this year, since South Africa isn't playing, and I'm quite excited by the ease with which one can paint the 3 colours on ones face, as opposed the normal complication of painting a South African flag.
ReplyDeleteDiossss the Span-Germany game was a nail biter! I went out and celebrated all night after we won! This year…yeah. I was let down by my local team and am hoping Spain pulls up their socks (even if it means seeing my boyfriend Piqué on the bench and not on the field).
ReplyDeleteI love revisiting World Cup/Euro Cup memories :) I spent a month in Switzerland when they hosted the Euro Cup in 2008 and I still will talk about this at end to anyone who will listen. Some of the best fun of one's life, for sure. Definitely will try to catch the Germany game today, but don't think I'm going to make the later US one... will you?
ReplyDeleteWe're watching tonight's match at the Wildparkstadion. England have already disappointed me so Germany better win! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm actually working at the pub during the Germany game and will probably hang around post-shift for the US game. I'm a night owl, so I'd be up regardless :) Extremely excited for both!
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I don't care about soccer. but i need to. I really need to, especially tonight! it would be cool if germany went all the way. looks like y'all had a blast in 2012.
ReplyDeleteI will never understand that some people just don't care about Fussball. It is so much better than any other sport. :) It's always so amusing to see all the German flags around...I mean, you never see any when there is no WM or EM. In America I rarely see a house without a flag. :)
ReplyDeleteSo funny! I was living in Munich during the Euro Cup 2012, and also have very fond memories of the time. I just got home from watching the Germany-Portugal game at a Mexican bar around the corner (They had three screens!) and am so happy that it's "that time of year" again. Better than Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFOOTBALL ALL THE WAY. I came to love the sport when I moved to Indonesia when I was a kid and fell in love with the hotness of David Beckham. Hahaha... Sadly that interest kinda faded away when I moved back to the States. Luckily my boyfriend is a HUGE Football fan so now I am back into the spirit of Football. It's so exciting to watch World Cup. Can't wait til I get my butt to Brazil in July! May the best nation wins!
ReplyDeleteI too learned to love soccer sin living in Europe. I've been lucky to have experienced Spain's golden years. I arrived in 2008! This year won't be their year, though. I will be rooting for the U.S. as well.
ReplyDeleteWorld Cup Fever is incredibly contagious! Did you see the US - Ghana match?! I was so stoked!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAny excuse to party, or so it seems?
ReplyDeleteHave fun, be moderate & stay safe.
Proud of, and for, you.
Love always,
Daddio
[…] Alex also lives in Germany and is from Texas. From not being interested at all in football (she even calls it soccer…), it’s fun to read about how she has been swept up by the World Cup fever: http://www.speaking-denglish.com/2014/06/europes-contagious-world-cup-fever/ […]
ReplyDeleteSO funny because I had never cared for soccer aka futbol before moving to Spain and now I think it's so fun! Cute jersey picture! xoxo
ReplyDeletelol! im really loving this world cup round! unfortunately i have class tmrw during the germany/usa game but i might just stream it while my prof talks! haha
ReplyDeleteyou look mighty cute in those german colors. i have to admit, though, that we root for belgium to lose because we like our sleep at night and the excited honking is the worst. there is no reason you need to keep your hand on your car horn for over a minute. (sorry for the rant.) yay world cup!
ReplyDeleteAh, I can't imagine how it was on Tuesday night when Belgium beat the US. Were y'all torn? I had to cheer for the US when they played Germany, but I knew good and well Germany had it in the bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm still 100 percent only World Cup/Eurocup fan, but think I just might become a Bayern fan when I move to Munich :)
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