The Study Abroad Journals: Todos Con La Roja

This summer soccer fans all over Europe are gathering together to support their countries in the Euro 2012 tournament, and Spain is no exception. Their first game against Italy ended in a 1-1 draw, but unfortunately I missed it because I was on my way back from Portugal. However, I was determined not to miss out on the next one!
Last Thursday, my friends and I headed over to Plaza de Ecarnacion to watch Spain versus Ireland. At the plaza, the city set up a huge screen on the Metropol Parasol which is the world´s largest wooden structure. But despite the structure claiming to be so big, it was so crowded we had to wait in line to go up.
Once we reached the top we were surrounded by red everywhere (people went all out for this game!). There were Spanish flags waving in the air, faces painted red, and Spanish jerseys everywhere you turned. I even wore a jersey myself. (Earlier in the week I went on a hunt for a Xabi Alonso jersey but couldn't find one for the life of me. So I settled for an A. Iniesta jersey. Not that I was really settling when the name on the jersey belongs to the guy who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup)

Speaking of my new jersey at one point during the game a random Spaniard tapped on my shoulder, and when I turned around he and his friends started bowing. At first I was clueless as to what was going on, but he quickly explained that when a player does something good or leaves the field all the fans will start bowing. My friends and I also met another group of locals who volunteered to paint our faces with the Spanish flag, and by the end of the game we fit right in with the rest of the crowd, cheering Spain on to a 4-1 victory.
A few days later, we headed back to the plaza to watch a seriously intense game against Croatia. Towards the end it seemed as if there would be another draw, but with about ten minutes left Spain finally managed to score and secure their spot in the quarterfinals. Saturday they will be playing the French which is a little ironic because I leave for Paris the next day. Also, today I learned Spain has never beat France in an official match, but that is just an insignificant little detail. Because I am positive Spain will win! Vamos Espana!