EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAUVINISM

COPA AMERICA IGNORED

European football fans are going nuts these days. I witnessed that firsthand in Belgrade where people gathered in cafes to watch the Euro Cup 2024 games. I watched them, too. But in the comfort of our home. Never was big on mass hysteria even though I was a sports fan all my life. 

When I got back to America, I noticed another interesting thing about European fans. They are totally clueless about what happens elsewhere in the world. They are just as chauvinistic as the Americans who crown our baseball champion the “World Series” champion.

Case in point. Since I’ve come back. I have been enjoying watching the Copa America games. 

“Copa America? What’s that?”, you wonder.

Indeed. In Europe, they paid ZERO attention to this football tournament even though it was happening lock and step with the UEFA Euro Cup. I admit I was also clueless about it since I spent the last month in Europe.

But today, for example, when Spain beat France 2-1 in a beautiful semifinal game, a few hours later, Argentina, the reigning world champion, beat Canada 2-0, also in a semifinal game. 

DID YOU HEAR COPA AMERICA IN EUROPE? 

I suspect not. Yet, in this country in which football is called soccer, and “real” football is an American NFL gladiator sport, the Argentina-Canada game attracted 80,100 fans at the Meadowlands stadium in New Jersey. 

The Munich semifinal between Spain and France drew just 62,000 fans. Yet it was hailed in Europe as if it were a world championship. Never mind that Copa America has been held since 1916. In other words, a Euro-chauvinistic attitude.

“PANEM ET CIRCENSES” (Bread and Games/Circuses)

Conclusion: While both America and Europe are being ruled by the so-called “elites” who are feeding the masses the “bread and games,” it is instructive to note that this expression originated in the DYING days of the Roman Empire. 

ANOTHER COPA AMERICA SPECTACLE IN CHARLOTTE, NC

Today, America witnessed another Copa America spectacle in Charlotte, North Carolina. In front of some 75,000 fans, Colombia and Uruguay met in the second semifinal of the tournament. Earlier in the day, England defeated Netherlands in the second semifinal of the Euro Cup 2024.

So the two soccer/football competitions are continuing in lockstep toward the final on Sunday which will decide the winners of both tournaments.

Look at these spectacular scenes from Charlotte during pre-game ceremonies.

In the end, Colombia pulled an upset over the favorite Uruguay 1-0. They will meet the world champion Argentina in the Copa America final on Sunday, July 14.