I’m jealous.
On June 10, the 2016 Euro Cup kicked off in Saint Denis, France with the host nation celebrating a 2-1 French win over Romania. For nearly every day since, audiences all over the world have been privy to some of the most skilled, competitive, and patriotic soccer the sport has to offer. Thanks to time off between my college graduation and the start of my job, a comfortable couch, and the wonder of ESPN, I’ve been lucky enough to watch a considerable amount of this tournament that rolls around every four years. What I’ve seen is entertaining soccer being played at a tremendous level. What I’ve also seen is a level of national pride and sports culture that is so strong, entire countries put affairs on pause for a 90-minute game. And that makes me jealous.
In the 24-team field, the giants of the soccer world have been on display in Euro 16. Germany. Italy. Spain. France. England. And with these soccer powerhouses come the loyal fans that make the sport even more appealing. However, the real joy for me has been watching fans of the lesser-known national teams in action. Wales, Northern Ireland, Iceland, and Hungary, among others, have put forward strong performances, yet their passionate supporters may have stolen the cake from their teams. Roughly 10 percent of Iceland’s entire population traveled to France to cheer on their squad. How’s that for good fan support? Aside from the actual soccer, it’s been amazing to watch fans from all over Europe pack into French stadiums, jumping, chanting and occasionally exploding with joy or sorrow depending on the result of each match. But the thing that stands out most? That these fans do all of this together.
I’m extremely envious that the countries participating in EURO 2016 have such a strong affinity for their national squads and that soccer can act as such a uniting force. I’m not trying to take anything away from the die-hard fans of U.S. soccer, but after watching the Americans play through the Copa America tournament this month, it is clear that U.S. fan support is still not on the same level as that of its European counterparts, and that we still have a long way to go before soccer can band our country together in such a strong fashion.
An interesting backdrop to EURO 2016 has been the Brexit vote, which ultimately will lead to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. In a time in which European politics, economics, and society face a tremendous upheaval in the months and years to come, fans have rallied behind the sport of soccer, making EURO 2016 a safe zone in which fans can take a break from the complicated reality of 21st-century life. The meaning of sports often transcends the simplicity of the game, such as the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team and the “Miracle on Ice.” And this year, it seems as though Americans are due for another such experience. With the increasing national divide spurred on by the heating up of the 2016 U.S. presidential race, outcry over gun control, immigration, and other hot-button issues, Americans could sure use a group of athletes behind whom they can stand together.
Hopefully, Rio de Janeiro and the 2016 Summer Olympics will be the birthplace of more American sports heroes. Heroes that for maybe even a few seconds or minutes at a time, truly bring our nation together under the stars and stripes. But until then, I look across the Atlantic to France, jealous of fans at Euro 2016 that at least on TV have what the U.S. desperately needs.
Unity.
