Athletic Supporter

It's that time of year! Rather, it's that time which comes once every four years (or every two years if you count on that alternating schedule with the World Cup--which we do) for football fans around the continent.

Yes, friends, it is Euro Cup summer.

Even if you've witnessed madness before, still you wouldn't believe the madness that a cup championship brings to this country. The Dutch do love their football.

Of course here I am referring to that game which is actually played with the FEET and a round ball--NOT the one where big boys pad up and knock each other down over a smallish-eggish-shaped ball. Y'know, the game with far too many complicated rules? Give me a soccer match any day. Straightforward hustle and real athleticism. And yeah, really, really good looking guys who play the game... Ah, me.

Wait, am I off topic here?

Voetbal is all the rage here in my adopted country. Store fronts are decorated in orange paraphanalia. People are walking the streets clad in orange t-shirts, hats and other accoutrement. The commercials on TV are full of rah-rah Football fun.

It's fever.

Football fever.

And it is contagious.

Because: "There is no team like the best team
which is our team right here
we will show you we're the best team
in the very little league The European Cup this year
And in no time we'll be big time
Like the big league baseball football stars
For all we have to do is win just one more all our games
And the championship is ours! "*

Join me now and chant along with the song on every Nederlander's lips:

HUP HOLLAND HUP!

*apologies to Charlie BrownClark Guesser

for liberties taken with the lyrics for T-E-A-M

More music links at Soccer Mom in Denial.

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