Football? Can’t compare to joue au foot.

By: Michelle A. Monroe

Soccer is a completely different culture in France. Every game is as important as the next and the crowds for the games never dwindle in numbers.

Despite France’s elimination from the Cup, their spirit for the game never falters. They have favorites for each game and paint their faces, wear the flags, and know the chants for every country. Each goal they shoot off cannons full of confetti the size of your palm and jump up singing the country’s song.

I was surprised of the number of Americans who came to the Fifa Fan Fest at the Eiffel Tower. The stars and stripes adorned proud faces.

But it’s nothing compared to other countries.

We have the simplest cheer. “U-S-A!” Everyone knows the tempo, the words – or letters as the case is – and pumps their fists like we did pre-Jersey Shore. And once it starts every American joins in. But there are only so many times you can chant that in 90 minutes before you get bored. Americans lack the passion of other countries. The communal sighs and moans in the Zona Zoo are muted compared to the shouts and cries from European soccer fans. There aren’t one or two people hurling insults to a distant enemy – these people are face-to-face and shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd. Each country is trying to be louder, rowdier and more enthusiastic. Yet there is a common respect. They are more concerned with honoring their country and being unified with their fellow citizens then with tearing each other down. No fights have broken out even in the heart of the pit.

(Though security does take all bottle caps away to ensure no one can throw a full bottle at anyone…Perhaps the Zona Zoo is not alone in its history)

And only in the biggest landslides does the losing team hang its head in shame. The songs and spirit on both sides can be heard until the next morning.

Algeria, though eliminated almost immediately, is still the most common flag I see. There was even an instance where a French flag was stolen from a government building, burned and replaced with an Algerian flag. Losing makes no difference.

There are die-hard fans in America; I’m not contesting that. But soccer reflects the country in Europe. France was eliminated because the French booed the coach on the screen. They respect the players’ unity after one of the members was taken off the team. A Frenchman told me “It’s no longer about the game, now it’s about the team. I’m proud of them for their decision and that they represent me and my country.”

For those who don’t understand the allure of European soccer or the intensity of its fans, I encourage you to attend a game. Watching a match or two on TV every four years is a fine way to see a game. But to experience the culture you must immerse yourself in another countries side to fully appreciate the spirit of the game.