EM 2008 Review

First of all, I know that the party in Germany was much bigger (and of course, much longer) than it was here in Sweden. Nevertheless we had a good time watching the German games. We watched the games of the preliminary round at a sportsbar on a big screen. During the first game against Poland we were almost alone, but the group of German fans got bigger with every game and in the end there were a big bulk of people and the bar was pretty crowded. In the final round all games were broadcasted on the public viewing spots in the city and so we headed there. Sweden was already out of the competition and they didn't have anything else to show. The game in the semi-final against Turkey was dramatic in many ways, due to the game itself, of course, and the broadcasting interruptions. In Germany, there were just one, but here we had three and about 15 minutes of the game was missing, including one German goal and the end of the game. Public listening! Major bummer! A lot Turkish people got pretty upset and the security guys got very nervous. Due to the enormous amount of Turkish people here in Stockholm, the German supporter were definitely outnumbered. The Turks even started rockets and other pyrotechnical stuff in the middle of the crowd. Just like in a stadium. After the game, the 'Kungsträdgården' emptied fast and after the game there were about only 150-200 people left celebrating the German victory. Anyhow, it was fun!

Well, the final ... we know how it ended. If you don't play well, you don't deserve it really. To lose 0-1 is still very flattering for us. The tournament was alright and there is nothing really to complain. I enjoyed the championship. Enough said ...

... not yet ... just a few words about the Swedish team. After the victory in their opening match against Greece, the hysteria among the Swedes was gigantic. Newspapers and the public started to dream to hit the championship how it was done by the underdogs of Denmark in '92. The forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in everybody's mouth. In every preliminary report for a game (not necessarily with Swedish participation) they were speaking endlessly about the Swedish team and its demigod Zlatan. Who flies high falls far, right? After the loss against Spain and Russia the dream was over and the depression big.

An interesting fact about watching this tournament in another country is that everyone seems to be against Germany. Whoever wins the game, that's fine ... except it would be the Krauts. They don't understand the principle of German efficiency :) Less shots, more goals!

Good:
- 'schlaaaand!
- Mashed potatoes as fast-food

Bad:
- Strikes in the transport system
- Credit card limits

Music:
Amon Amarth - Fate of Norns
Carry On - A Life Less Plagued