As some of you may know, there are two ginormous soccer tournaments going on this summer! The Copa America Centenario and the European Championships. Although, Copa America is already over, with Chile coming out as the champions, I wanted to take a look at them head to head. Copa America is a huge deal this summer for a couple reasons. First, this is the one hundred year anniversary for the tournament and second, it is hosted by the United States. Copa America is a tournament of the Americas, with countries from North and South America competing for the title of Americas Champion. This tournament included powerhouses such as Argentina, Chile and Brazil. For those of you who do not know much about European Soccer, the same style tournament is going on overseas. This is the Euro Cup, a tournament to determine the best team in Europe. The Euro Cup is the second most watched tournament behind the World Cup. This tournament is being hosted by France and includes European powerhouses such as Germany, Italy and Spain.
I’m going to come out and say that in my opinion, The Euro Cup is a better tournament. I am a supporter of the French National team and that may sway my opinion but overall, I believe the Euro Cup is a better tournament. So instead of giving you my biased opinion on the two tournaments, I decided to interview my good friend and my soccer expert: Brian Wadsworth. Brian is someone I have known my whole life, a former teammate of mine at Castleton and a big soccer fan. So here is our interview!
-Introduce yourself! How did your love of soccer start? Who do you support?: club and international and why?
BW: Hello all! My name is Brian Wadsworth and I am a recent graduate of Castleton University and former player for the men’s ice hockey program. I am known amongst my former teammates as somewhat of a soccer fan and have loved the sport for quite some time now. My love for the sport began in 2006 during the World Cup. My family’s background is mostly English and the passion of most people in England is soccer. Through watching games and supporting England during the 2006 World Cup, I established a love for the sport that I still carry with me to this day. My international ties lie with England, but I also support the United States being my home country. The club I support through and through is Manchester United. Glory! Glory!
-Which tournament do you prefer?
BW: Between the Copa America and European Championship, I have to say I spend most of my time watching the Euro Cup.
-Why? Does it have to do with the style of soccer being played? South American teams seem to be flashier opposed to a rough euro style
BW: The Euro Cup is largely considered the second most significant international tournament in the world. Although it is limited to European competition, the intensity and drama supersedes that of the Copa America. The player’s, manager’s and fan base’s passion of European teams is evident through viewing of the games, as Copa American teams do not see winning the tournament to be as sought after. I do not believe the particular style of play is as much of a deciding factor for loyalty to the tournament as both offer an exciting brand of the game. South American teams are known for their speed, offense and star power which is more exciting for the causal fan. European teams provide a more tactical approach and are considered to have more depth in their squads. Ultimately, most Copa America players participate to honor their country and spot on the international squad and escape injury free to return to their clubs in the coming season. The mentality of European squads is largely to bring home hardware to their beloved fans.
-Does your support of England sway you towards Euro Cup?
BW: I would be lying if I said my ties to the English do not sway me at least a little towards the Euro Cup. I enjoy the European style of soccer compared to Copa America, but that does not mean I did not watch my fair share of Copa America games
-Copa has 16 teams, Euro has 24... Does this hurt or help either tournament?
BW: More teams means more games which leads to more viewership. The parody of Copa America simply cannot compete with Europe though. The final between Argentina and Chile was expected and for the most part what was supposed to happen did. The difference between the top and lower level teams is substantial in the Americas. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Chile dominate although Brazil unfortunately had a bad showing against Peru due to a missed call. Europe has a team that is competing for the first time in quarterfinals. The parody cannot not even begin to compare.
-Is Copa less diluted than the Euros due to less teams?
BW: Sadly, Copa America is still more diluted than the Euro. Lower ranked teams do not have what it takes to compete with the traditional powerhouses of the Americas whereas top ranked teams in Europe cannot afford to take any opponent lightly. Hungary and Iceland finished top of the group against top ten ranked Portugal and dark horse favorite Austria. Croatia tops two-time defending champion Spain and Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland all make their way to the knockout stage. Aside from Brazil’s defeat, matches went according to expert opinions in Copa America Centenario.
-Do big names like Neymar and Suarez not playing hurt Copa America?
BW: Yes, very much so. Star power is the main attraction to Copa America and losing big names like Neymar and Suarez hurts viewership and the level of soccer being played.
-Which tournament has bigger rivalries?
BW: This is tough. Rivalries in Europe have extended over many years such as Hungary vs. Austria and England vs. Wales, but recently South America has held the advantage. Argentina and Brazil will forever be one of the most intense and passionate rivalries while Chile and Argentina have developed their own hatred due to Chile’s recent success.
-Does not having a "death" group in Euros hurt them during the group stage?
BW: The group of death games do draw quite a bit of attention and a lack of a significant version of such may hinder some viewership. I do not believe it had a severe impact though as many group stage games highlighted some of the worlds best going head to head.
-Which tournament has better fans?
BW: This question might be the hardest one to answer. Passion is what sets apart South American fans from the rest of the world and with the rising of the American Outlaws, the United States fan base has held their own in comparison. Many stories have made the news about fan bases in Europe, good and bad. England and Russian supporters were warned due to altercations during and after their group stage match in the first weekend of the tournament. Irish fans have made the news also due to their highly entertaining chants and traditions in support of their country. It’s a toss up, I can’t decide.
-Half of the world’s top 10 is South American...but the last 3 World Cup winners were European sides? Does this make one more exciting or is it just details?
BW: South American teams have come a long way with Chile and Mexico competing well in international tournaments. The European style of soccer favors success in international competition as the commitment to defense and a relying on a team rather than individuals bodes well for Europe. The winners of the last three World Cups were European, but South America has had a strong presence in threatening to win those tournaments. I think this statistic speaks more to the style of play in international competition rather than deciding which tournament, Copa America or Euro Cup, is more exciting to watch.
Although Copa America is now over, I still suggest you guys catch the remaining games of the Euro Cup. It can give American Soccer fans an insight of European soccer and can be a small preview for the upcoming World Cup! Now that you have heard a little bit from each side, its time to determine which side you are on: Copa America Centenario or The European Championships!
