Why I Love This Beautiful Game Part 2: Matchday Atmosphere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDgN_sVMGdY

I remember the first time I saw a Champions League match. I forget who Liverpool were playing because I was utterly enthralled by the unanimous voice of Anfield.

The video that I posted here is from a Chelsea/Liverpool match at Anfield. You have to speed it up to almost the last minute or so, but you can only hear the first verse of the Champions League anthem before "You'll Never Walk Alone" drowns it out.

In the United States, we show up to a game and make a ton of noise. We don't chant or sing really. Well, college football games are full of song, but only when teams score.

I went to see the US men's team a few years back when they played in Nashville and all I could do was sit back and be appalled by the US fans lack of emotion. "Sam's Army", the US supporters club, would sit down between cheers and it was always the same repetitive cheers that you would see at a normal sporting event.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the stands, the visiting teams fans were burning flares, banging drums, waving flags. It is amazing to see a group of fans stand up and cheer in unison for an extended period of time with the purpose of driving the players to score.

I know the fans of the hockey team here at school have a very European flare to them when it comes to cheering. The school flag is constantly waving and there is always some form of song or chant going on.

There is also, usually, pre-game stuff done at the bar that sits next to campus. Get your pride on at the bar and then make your way to the game. After the game, you normally migrate back to the bar.

The experience of a match-day when it comes to football is truly one of the best features. In certain countries, when games are played during the week, it is almost expected that you will be absent from work if your team is scheduled.

A friend of mine made a good point at a Washington Nationals game back in April. "Bela," he said, "Americans will never be like football fans because we are simply too lazy. Look at us now, sitting down with our beer. We lack the energy to stand up straight and sing for forty-five minutes and turn around and do it again fifteen minutes later."

It's rather true. So match-days, with all their festivity are yet another reason why I love this beautiful game.

Part Three is coming soon, and will focus on the year long season that is professional football.