Team Spirit

This weekend I was surprised by a true soccer fanatic and got invited to my very first soccer game in Catalunya. And it wasn't just any game, it was Barca vs Espanyol, the two big rivals of Barcelona for a very passionate game. Upon entering the stadium, my heart beat with excitement and anticipation to experience what these crazy fanatics feel and let me tell you, it is unlike anything I have seen. The stadium was full of flag waving fans screaming out the teams' hymns and preparing themselves for victory. They aren't fooling around these Catalans. Since Espanyol was the home team and rivalry is nothing to joke around about, the Barca fans had to be sat apart from the rest of the fans and escorted by countless policemen. The Europeans, as I learned, do not take this game lightly and violence is normal to them in order to express their love for their team. As most of you know, I am a Barca fan myself and my host Jordi is an Espanyol fan who made it clear to me (for my safety) that I was not to cheer too loud if Barca scored because it wouldn't be a surprise if someone attacked me! He wasn't joking around. The game was alcohol free since it was under maximum security and the Barca fans who dared sit among the Espanyols were very discreet. As crazy as it sounds, I like the idea that an entire stadium could be so vividly involved and passionate about a game and I realized that it is beyond simply cheering for a team. It is your life, as Jordi explained to me, your politics and your religion.
Nonetheless I loved hearing the screaming, the singing, the insults and the passion that surfaced in a period of two hours, firecrakers and all. The best part was how seriously Jordi took it himself. In order for me to fully understand, he bought a newspaper, sat me down and explained everything I needed to know about the players, the teams' history and anything else revalent to the game. With bets in mind (since we were enemies for a period of 90 minutes), enormous bocattas and scarves, we entered the stadium and I was blown away at how amazing these young guys play.
Messi is amazing and TV does him no justice. Ronaldinho has disappointed me, but the other players played their best and you felt the spirit ringing within the walls. In the first half Barca managed to control the ball and scored. I couldn't help but scream out loud and then quickly sit down, a fan is a fan at heart in the end, no matter the danger I guess. Then in the second half Espanyol surprised us all by taking control and scoring a goal themselves. It was truly a great game and probably the best way I could've experienced my first time.

So what have I learned this time? That if there is something that both unites and separates a people, it's soccer. No NBA or NFL or MLB game could ever be quite as passionate, or at least not the ones I've been to. But I've also learned that it is what gives us something to talk about, something to trace our own history with and to remember "the days". In the end, Jordi and I were both winners (the game ended 1-1) and next time it's Camp Nou baby!

The happy faces of two winning fanatics!