The Reign in Spain

If you care one iota about international soccer then this late, last Europameister post comes as no surprise: the best team won. Felicitaciones to Spain--European Champions 2008!

Spain never played a bad game, tied only defending world champs Italy and beat everyone else, scored a total of 12 goals and gave up just 3 in six games. In last night's final, Germany started stronger but Spain quickly took over and never looked back, keeping sufficient pressure on the Germans even after a nifty first-half goal by phenom 24-year-old striker Fernando Torres (only his second goal in six games but ultimately the tournament winner). Oh, and did I mention Spain played without their injured other star striker who finished as the tournament's scoring leader? Talent to spare. Finishing 1-0, the final was no barn burner like Germany vs. Portugal or Turkey but a nonetheless satisfying end to an unbelievably awesome three weeks of European soccer.

Our gathering Sunday night at the same Zürich riverside viewing area with the usual, mostly pro-Germany group saw a minimum of raucousness. I think we're all exhausted from three weeks of viewings. The thousands of Spaniards in Zürich had apparently reserved one extra night of energy, however, as evidenced by elated cheering and singing and dancing in the streets. And following the one Europameister nightly tradition we won't miss much, the victors drove all over the city honking and shouting until 2am.

So what now? Post-Europameister depression sets in, naturally. We'll lament the departure of the Big Boy Swiss smoker serving thousands of pounds of pulled pork. I'll sorely grieve the disassembly of the 'Aktion-Bier!' tent outside the neighborhood train station. We'll bemoan the dissipation of the grandiose multicultural "One Giant Beer Garden" aura over usually-more-reasonable Zürich. But there's a bright side too. For example, we'll probably return to drinking wine instead of Carlsberg. We'll pay much more attention to European club soccer this fall. And there may be one incredible, unanticipated beneficial long-term effect to beat all--we already have plans to see our new friends again soon. Who would've thought we'd end up with friends in Zürich?? Vielen Dank, Europameister! Bis 2012!