So the European Football Championships (known here as the "EM" or "EuroMeisterschaft") has finally kicked off in Switzerland and Austria, with the first game being played just down the road in Basel. As I'm watching (with one eye) Poland versus Germany, I think it's a good time to let you know just how crazy Switzerland has gone over the football.
In fact, you can't go anywhere without being reminded that the EM is on. Even in the small villages you can see huge wooden footballs built by the local carpenter or a garden converted into a mini soccer pitch, hosting a game between small "plant people" sporting colourful jersies. Of course, not everyone is looking forward to the arrival of thousands of intoxicated footie fans.... although there seems to be a general consensus that it's a good thing that the English didn't qualify as their fans are hooligans!!! Obviously nobody noticed the Italians, Dutch and (dare I say) Swiss football hooligans in recent months.
For Fi and me it's quite an anticlimax since England aren't playing. We are doing our best to support the Swiss squad although Degen, Frei and co don't really liven up the pitch quite as well as Lampard, Rooney, Terry, Crouch and Gerrard.
Two-Nil to Germany
I've bought a Swiss team jersey and we have a huge Swiss flag hanging from our balcony. Hopefully we won't get asked to take it down like when we hung a George cross during the last world cup.
I think that cycling is going to take a hit during EM. Not only because I intend to watch on the TV, but because getting across Basel on a bike is a nightmare with all the drunk fans staggering around. Anyhow, after riding up to the Black Forest for a conference last week and riding back in the pouring rain, I've just about had enough at the moment. It's been raining most of the weekend so I only got out for an hour this evening. Just typical that the only time Basel makes it onto Britisch TV it's raining. I hear it's sunny and warm back in Blighty. Ho humm.
Hopp Schwiiz !!
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