EURO CUP 2008
Professor Paul Hambleton
By, Samina Tauhid
June 22, 2008
Soccer, as sweet as Tiramisu
If one wants to see multiculturalism at its best, one should visit my street. Why my street? My street is totally multicultural with Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Arabs, Portuguese, Italians, and Polish residents. You name it and we have them; all ethnic Canadians living in perfect harmony. When I say, ‘in perfect harmony’, I really mean it. This harmony is one which is seen through sports played on the street by kids.
These kids play all kinds of games from basketball to ice hockey, from cricket to soccer. The best part of these sports is the participation of kids of all ages and sometimes the involvement of parents in the evenings all of which brings more life to our street.
Street hockey is played in winter and cricket in summer while basketball is an all season favorite.
The kids follow the latest trends too. They follow Stanley Cup, World Cup, and currently, the Euro cup.
I’m always intrigued by these kids as they vary from 9/10 years to 15/16 years of age. They play together as two perfect teams. I remember when we used to play cricket back home as kids, our older brothers or cousins would treat us as ‘extras’ to just field or fetch stuff for them like water or towels. This would really make us angry and frustrated. It’s more rewarding to see these kids play as one unified team and brings back the memories of childhood back that makes me think “when these youngsters can live in perfect unison, why can’t we?”
These children are a perfect role model for a unified Canada
Talking about unity I must give credit to sports of any kind that brings everyone together. We forget our differences and remember one thing which is to ‘have blast of a time.’
As soon as the Euro Cup started, our street turned into a soccer field. Some of the neighbors have flags of different Euro cup playing countries displayed outside their houses and cars.
One of my neighbors, Sergio Demalo, has turned his garage into a sitting room with nice chairs and couches; one of his walls is covered with a giant Portuguese flag and the other wall with an Italian flag, (why an Italian flag? The answer will be provided soon). Underneath the flag is a big screen TV. It’s the best use of the garage I’ve ever seen. You can very well visualize how colorful my street must look with flags of all nations displayed every where.
Since most of the games are in the afternoon or early in the evenings, this gentleman who is a retiree, opens his garage for kids and adults who are back from school or work to watch Euro cup matches with his own family. I wish my schedule allowed for me to take part in more of the harmonious bonding festivities as I have, unfortunately, only been able to watch one game with them.
“I used to play soccer when I was a kid and played it in college team too. It’s in my blood as it is in most of the Europeans,’ Says my neighbor Sergio. “I’m fond of all kinds of sports like hockey and basketball since I’ve been living in Canada for the past 32 years, but soccer is my favorite.” Sergio tells me.
Sergio’s wife is Italian, (the reason for the Italian flag on the other wall) which makes it more interesting. She too is a soccer fan. They both support their respective teams, but aren’t happy when one of them loses. Wilma, Sergio’s wife, was so thrilled to see Italy made it to the quarter finals that she made us Tiramisu the same evening. Oh, how I wish Italy would win the tournament! She has promised Tiramisu on Italy’s victory, “I will make Tiramisu and Portuguese cream rolls if my team wins the Cup.” Wilma makes a pact with us, our street soccer team, and me.
“Please Lord, let Italy win. Amen.” I prayed in my heart. I’ve never tasted a dessert so good in my life.
I’m a big diplomat when it comes to sports other then cricket. I usually support the underdog team, or the team my friends are supporting. For instance, I was totally supporting Portuguese until quarter finals and not just because of Sergio; I have a few other Portuguese friends at work. We showed our solidarity there. Once Portugal was out, I needed some other team to cheer, so why not Italy? At least then I would get to eat my new favorite dessert!
I like the straightforwardness of soccer. Soccer is easy to understand, universally accepted, and less time consuming .Unlike Cricket, soccer is short and sweet, (no relation to Tiramisu). I somehow keep revolving around the sweetness of the game and the dessert we are promised; it must be something to do with my big sweet tooth otherwise, I’ve never behaved like this in my life. It’s easy to give in to temptation, but this kind of temptation, shame on me!
How truly small a place the world really is can very well be experienced here on our street. The Euro Cup is not only followed by the European Canadians, but all of us from different continents of the world. It’s not just the sports bars who telecast the games live, but different vendors in the malls and other regular restaurants are following the trend. It has become a good sign of unity and a way to bring people together. I love to see the enthusiasm in the atmosphere these days in the malls.
Two of my colleagues at work went to Europe to watch one of the initial matches. They were saving for this vacation for a long time and were really thrilled to actually go to Europe during a time of such sports enthusiasm, “I’m totally thrilled and so excited you can’t imagine,” says a bubbly Veronica. Clive was equally excited but not as vocal as Veronica.
They stayed in Vienna, Austria. Vienna is considered the centre of all the Euro 2008 hype. “The host country had a fan zone which is actually a portion of the city blocked off just for the soccer crazed fans from all over Europe which holds nine big screens along a 2 km stretch. Patriotic fans from the participating countries gather at game time with flags, scarves and jerseys to show their support for the respective team.” Tells, an equally flamboyant Clive.
As a matter of fact if you see what Clive and Veronica experienced in Vienna, I experienced the same thrill here in Canada through the sport lovers like Sergio and the kids of my street. The fan zone of Vienna was created here in Sergio’s garage unconsciously.
This mirroring effect of Vienna and Canada is a proof how universal sports are and games like these teach us that we can be unified and share a single culture through a child’s favorite thing to do …play.
Too bad I didn’t get my Tiramisu! Italy is out but I’m still following the tournament on line waiting for any team to win so that I have an excuse to celebrate with sweets.
