Football: Euro and Copa America fever spreads like wildfire through cricket-mad India

New Delhi, June 23 The Euro 2024 and Copa America are both underway as the hype and excitement of watching world football’s biggest stars representing their respective countries has already started to spread across India like wildfire.

A country that has traditionally adopted cricket as its main sport is not that far behind in terms of passion when it comes to football. Fans can regularly be seen donning the jersey of their favorite team at screenings at hotspots in several major cities. Here’s a deeper dive into the deep-seated fixations fans across the country have for their favorite players.

“In Calcutta, people are traditionally more fans of the FIFA World Cup and South American football. People are mostly neutral about European countries unless they are Brazil, Argentina or other South American powerhouses,” a passionate football fan from Calcutta told IANS.

If you need to look for football fans in our country, then you don’t have to look further than Kolkata, the city that breathes football. The fans went on to talk about the love people have for their roots and historical ties with such countries.

“Having said that, there are parts of Kolkata where people are angry with England because of the colonial regime. There is a place called Bow Barracks where Anglo-Indians support the English, Dutch and Scots because of their European roots. on the outskirts of Calcutta you will find your real goldmine in Euro Football.

“There is a place called Chandannagar in Hooghly district, the locals support France because the place was under French rule until India’s independence. The churches, chapels and a French diaspora help the country to strengthen French connections there,” said the dice. -hard Mohun Bagan supporter.

In previous editions of the European Championships, the Copa Americas and the World Cups, social media has heavily highlighted the surreal passion shown by Kerala fans. Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar’s 40-foot cutouts went viral not only in India but around the world, with FIFA also applauding the dedication and passion of the home fans.

“Here in Kerala, the fans of the European teams are quite fragmented. This contrasts with the Copa America where there is a clear and intense rivalry between fans of Brazil and Argentina. That said, the Spanish national team has significant support in Kerala, especially in Kerala.” due to their era of dominance and the magical playing style characterized by players like Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Villa.

“Their brand of technical, possession-based football (tiki-taka) has created an enduring affection for the team. I would say that the love for La Liga, especially for teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ​​has contributed to the support for the club.” The Spanish national team also enjoys a huge fan following among the Mallu youth, especially because of their love for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been the poster child for the Portuguese team for several years now,” a football fan from Kerala told IANS.

When it comes to recent times, the focal point of sporting events in the country has slowly shifted from places like Calcutta and Mumbai to Ahmedabad. The city is filled with passionate football fans and people spoke fondly of the city’s love for Ronaldo.

“I remember we used to have a CR7 club in Ahmedabad. And I vividly remember how they took to the streets after Portugal won in 2016. 2021 was the year of COVID, but I can guarantee that this year places like TopSpin (club) will be packed, especially if Portugal is playing. And since this is Ronaldo’s last European Championship, who knows if he will win it, the underground community of CR7 enthusiasts will definitely take a little walk along the Sabarmati River in the evening.” a Real Madrid fan and resident of Ahmedabad told IANS.

Messi and Ronaldo have been the epicenter of world football for the past twenty years. The ongoing European Championship has been a springboard showcasing great talent from youngsters like Yamine Lamal and Jamal Musiala. A particular fan discussed his bond with the hosts of Euro 2024 and how he watches the matches despite being away from home as he is currently studying in Punjab.

“I have been a great admirer of German football since 2010 and it has been an amazing experience to see them go from Schweinsteiger and Müller to now Musiala and Wirtz. The great thing is that I am not the only one, the people here in Punjab are that too.” Also crazy about football. The excitement during the European Championship is clearly visible here, with match screenings in every possible corner of the city. It felt like an occasion during the 2022 World Cup when artists came to perform at screenings before the semi-finals and the final, and I expect nothing less during the European Championship.

“The local ground is fully booked with a screen in the middle of the ground ensuring the atmosphere is impeccable, and I expect nothing less. The arrangements plus the ample space in front make it the place to be during a match. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that it is very similar to the famous Boxpark in London,” the admirer of German football told IANS.

Indian football fans have over the years become accustomed to foreign fans questioning their commitment to international football, but despite having to watch matches at ungodly hours and living in a country where cricket dominates all sporting discussions, the football fraternity has built a strong and unbreakable bond. community to express their love for the beautiful game.

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