Lost in Translation: Euro Soccer

The Pope is currently pontificating in Germany in order ensure that the Papal audit goes well in the German division. So I figure, that being such a sports fan, why don't I give the local sport a try? My hotel being situated on the property of the Veltins Arena couldn't have made it any easier. Veltins Arena is one of the most modern soccer stadiums in Europe, hosting FIFA World Cup games in 2006, as well as being home to one of the premier teams in the German League (the Bundesliga), FC Schalke 04 (the 04 is for the year they were founded, 1904). So the Pope has now gone to 2 matches in 4 days, and has some thoughts.

 

Initially, I sought to compare sports in Europe to the American sports. Since there is only one sport in Europe that means anything (football = soccer), it really became a question of how to translate European Football to an American sports fan. I think certain tendencies and characteristics of all our American sports helped me more easily understand European football.

 

So here is your American sports translation guide to European football. A trait of Euro football is explained via comparison to its American sports equivalent:

1. Pageantry & Passion of Euro Football   -   College Football    -    Flags swinging in the stands during the game, singing, and a cheer for every call, pass, near goal, goal, corner kick, and set piece (free kick). Go to a Notre Dame game and count the number of cheers that every single student knows and uses throughout the game, depending on the situation. There is even a section of fans at the Veltins arena that never sit down  -  and they even jump and dance at various points of the match. Nothing in all of American Sports is similar to the crowd and energy, passion, etc, except college football, where stadiums and student sections cheer and dance in an manner that has been proliferated through its participants for years. A tradition like no other, college football and European soccer.
2. Commercially Driven Stadium Experience    -    NFL Football    -    I walk into the Veltins (one of the top selling German beers) arena. Advertisements everywhere, commercials on the big screen, jerseys with sponsors names on it  -  American sports hasn't gone the jersey route yet, but we have commercialized everything else in the NFL. Even the concessions (beer please) felt extremely similar, as numerous middle aged and likely middle class men anxiously wait for their next beer and to return to their seats. On field entertainment during halftime was very similar to NFL games I have attended - fans get their chance to kick one ball from midfield to win money.
3. Frustrating and very Subjective Officiating    -    NBA Basketball   -   My least favorite part of the game of soccer is the power of the whistle. The number of questionable calls and their potential impact on the outcome of a soccer match is absurd, and the only thing that is comparable is the NBA and its oftentimes subjective officiating. The NBA officials don't have nearly as much impact with one whistle though. The "star treatment" by officials is an NBA specialty nowadays, and Euro soccer gets some of this as well. Fake falls, or doing anything with the body to fake contact and a foul, are much too common in Euro soccer. I saw at least 4 to 5 players fall without being touched! They didn't just fall, but to add insult to (fake) injury, each player writhed around on the ground in pain, only to hop right up and continue playing after a short 30 second visit from a trainer. Disgusting, and there is very little direct American sports translation for this horrific stunt. The closest thing would be NBA officials and a player faking a "charge" in basketball. Maybe a WR falling down when a defender touches him, on a pass that's not catchable.
4. History   -   Baseball   -   The teams over here are very proud of their history, especially when the club or team was founded. Most teams were founded in the late 1800s or early 1900s, which was a period that is only comparable in America to baseball, which popularized about the same time. An NFL or NBA comparison is impossible, as the leagues were barely relevant until the 1950s or 1960s really. College Football certainly has been around, but was not as big a deal really until the 1910s or 20s.
5. Numerous Divisions of Minor Leagues    -    Baseball   -   The German Bundesliga has 7 divisions. Just about every town and even village has a team of some sort. There are 3 national divisions, with the top teams being in the 1st division (commonly referred to as the Bundesliga). There are even 4 leagues for each "Region" of the country  -  N, S, E, and W Germany all have divisions that are lower than the 3 National divisions. Very similar to Minor League baseball, which has 3 levels of major minor leagues (A, AA, and AAA), as well as numerous semi-pro and rookie leagues. Teams have "farm" teams and bring players up here in soccer just like in baseball.
6. Opposing Teams Fans on the Road   -   Numerous examples   -    How about Alabama or any SEC team's fans at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA? Or maybe Cowboys fans in the upper deck of the old Veterans stadium in Philadelphia? The only difference is that opposing teams in Euro soccer are placed all together in the corner, surrounded by 8 foot tall plexiglass, with spikes on top of the glass to prevent climbing over. Yes, spikes - on top of the fence enclosing the opposing fans - to keep other fans from climbing the wall. Soak that in. Of course, about half the stadium's security guards are typically near this section. No such luxuries are provided to Alabama fans in Baton Rouge, or Cowboys fans in Philly, and I guess I kind of like it that way.

To sum up my feelings  -  Euro football is very entertaining and is a great sport. American sports fans will always struggle to digest with the fake injuries or fake falls by some players, and power of the officials to near completely decide a game. A fake or exaggerated fall then creating a free kick call from an official  -  a kick which results in a goal and a game being won 1 to 0  -   would not be acceptable for an American fan. Especially considering that once the team scores they goal, they pull all their players back and don't even attempt to have an offense.

 

There you have it, you now know everything about European soccer from an American sports point of view. Its an incredible and unique experience that should be tried by American sports fans that have the chance  -  remember, its the most popular game in the World.