A por ellos

So, “I am, where I am”, I guess it is back to the fold. I honestly was quite affected by the crashing out of Holland, it always does. But, yesterday night has rescued my Euro Cup feeling. Actually, I really believe this has been the best Euro Cup I have ever experienced. Now only the Germans are waiting for us in the final. Indeed, us, I have jumped ship, I am now loudly, proudly singing ‘a por ellos, o-é’ (let’s go after them olé).

Just a couple of days ago I was defending my Dutchness, but I have tossed that away as quick as a circus act juggling hot potatoes. I am an unashamed glory supporter, and last night I was hugged by Spaniards as if I was one of them and I guess now I am.

After the match Carmen and I decided to walk back from ‘Paco’s’ – the bar where we were watching the match – instead of taking the metro, and we witnessed some fantastic scenes of celebrating Spaniards. But there was something strange about seeing so many Spanish flags together. Last time I saw such a collection was at the rightwing/catholic/family-day-values demonstration on Plaza Colon. Today, the flags returned to Plaza Colon but the anti-government protest signs were left at home as the economic crisis was forgotten for at least one more night.

'España, España'

It suddenly occurred to me that Spain hasn’t had such a national celebration for a long time (24 years to be exact) and it seems that the Spaniards are still not quite comfortable waving their red and yellow, proudly shouting ‘España’. For many, it is still too politically charged. I wondered how things were going in Las Ramblas in Barcelona, or in Bilbao, where – I believe – waving the national flag can still result in a good ‘paliza’ – a beat up. Reaching the Euro Cup final must unite a nation, it must bring the people together, but the feeling I had on the street yesterday evening is that not everybody is willing to do so.

The scenes after Real Madrid winning the League were much, much more jubilant and yesterday it was mostly tipsy teenagers dancing around in the city’s fountains. The adults were taking it all in rather subdued, but with a smile nonetheless. I guess it was a bit like Germany in the last world cup where for the first time since the war many people where proud of their flag, posting it on their car windows and on their balconies. For Spain, being so diverse, it will be very interesting to see what happens when they actually win it (they deserve it by the way).

Three Lions and Orange wigs

Will there be a type of national unity like never before? Will people all of a sudden sing the national anthem in the streets of – say – San Sebastian or Tarragona? I very much doubt it and it really doesn’t matter too much. Maybe too much emphasis is always laid on national pride when it comes to football, maybe people should pay more attention to the actual game. I think that is what is happening here. Compared to Holland – where even the cheese seller wears an orange wig – it is very calm here in the Spanish capital, only two days before their biggest match in a quarter of a century. Football comes first here, then later maybe the country. The opposite to, for example England, where the three lions seem to matter more than scoring goals.

In other sports it’s the same. The sportsmen and woman in this country are hailed for their achievements, not for their nationality, and the truth is that they are doing really well. Have a look at the following list:

Alberto Contador (cycling) – Winner of the last Tour de France and the Giro de Italia

Rafa Nadal (tennis) – 4 Time Roland Garos Winner

Fernando Alonso (Formula 1) – 2 Time World Champion

Pau Gasol (basketball) – Key Player for the Los Angeles Lakers

The National Basketball team – World Champions

The National Hockey team – World Champions

Javier Gomez (Triatlon) – World Champion (from Galicia!)

Carlos Perez (Kayak) – World Champion (from Galicia!)

And…..the National Football Team – ?