If, first up, it was Andorra against Liechtenstein, I could understand. If the
next month was to be spent watching earnest part-timers from San Marino
huffing and puffing their way through 90 minutes with Luxembourg, the
feelings of ennui would make sense.
Life is too short to drink bad wine and it is certainly too short to watch bad
football. Yet we do, week in and week out. We traipse off to substandard
affairs, or games that we know, by the end of the season, will have had no
relevance or impact beyond another fixture fulfilled, another Saturday gone
by.
Yet by the time this coming weekend is out, we could have watched matches
featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma, Deco, Nani, Nihat Kahveci,
Tranquillo Barnetta, Luka Modric, Petr Cech and Michael Ballack, and each
one will be relevant. And this, remember, is widely agreed to be a
competition that is getting off to a relatively slow start. By Monday, when
Holland walk out to play Italy in Berne and France face Romania in Zurich,
the 2008 European Championship will be going like the clappers. What is not
to like?
There is no pleasing some people. We spend all winter carping like hell about
English footballers, how they lack the technique and vision of the
continental players, how our game is unsophisticated and knows only one way
of playing, bemoaning the fact that there is no English equivalent of
Ronaldo, Fernando Torres or Franck Ribéry, and then along comes a
competition that combines all of those players and their finest qualities -
the individuality, the flair, the cat-and-mouse tactical exchanges - and
suddenly we are not so sure. Why? Because there are no English players
involved. Make your minds up, for heaven's sake.
It boils down to a simple question, really. Do you like football, or not? And
by football I do not mean the way we increasingly choose to interact with
the sport in this country; by developing a parochial obsession with one team
at the expense of all reason and combining a pathological hatred of a local
rival with an intellect-sapping devotion to whichever group of mercenaries
and ungrateful slouches happens to be passing through wearing the shirt.
I mean old-school football, the first you watched, when there was nothing more
resting on it than the pleasure of seeing 22 men trying to play a game with
beauty and it did not really matter who won as long as the way in which they
did it was exciting and pleasing to the eye. The football, and footballers,
of your youth, when attempted imitation over the park was the sincerest form
of appreciation.
It is strange that a tournament without England is viewed with such suspicion
when this season has largely been spent marvelling at the brilliance of
Ronaldo in a Manchester United shirt. This month he will play in a Portugal
shirt. And unless you are a United fan, what difference does that make? He
is still the same player, still capable of delightful trickery, explosive
free kicks, still the same boy wonder with a ball at his feet. So sit back
and enjoy it. What is stopping you?
It was the marketing department that came up with the concept of the match-day
experience and somewhere along the line we took its bait above the
uncomplicated joy of watching a game for nothing more than the fun of it. I
once sat with business people who were planning a Premier League Hall of
Fame in London and was shocked, naively, to discover that the whole project
was geared to getting visitors to drop an additional 25 quid per head, over
the admission fee, on refreshments and sundry trinkets.
This is why we now exit most museums via the gift shop and modern airports
have a time-consuming shopping mall between security and departure gate.
Going to a game on Saturday is all part of modern commercialism. It is an
event, replete with vast club shops stocking a hundred forms of apparel,
fancy catering and glossy souvenir programmes costing what was once the
price of a ticket. There are family sections and singing sections, corporate
boxes and Marco Pierre White cooking up a storm on site, so is it any wonder
that when required to appreciate a game on its merits, in low-key
surroundings, so many are confused about how to feel.
Many were not in love with football, anyway. They were in love with affixing a
St George's Cross to the car aerial, buying the new red England shirt and
joining a gang for a month; all the stuff that is around football, but not
about it.
Those old-fashioned souls who just liked seeing a good match have lost a
foothold in our modern game. Strictly enforced segregation and so few
leading clubs accepting a walk-up on the day have put paid to that dinosaur
- the neutral fan, the chap who would watch the best match in his area just
for the pleasure of seeing good players play.
This is not meant as a criticism of the partisan supporter, more an
acknowledgement that as football has grown ever more tribal, the rules of
engagement have changed. We are out of the habit of appreciating a game,
rather than the rigmarole of attending a game to cheer for one side. Now,
faced with a tournament that can only be enjoyed for its own sake, we seem
unsure what to do.
We crave the partisan edge that replicates the emotion of following our club.
We hate English failure, yet cannot savour a tournament without it. That is
why newspapers have been full of articles on who to support. We must have an
allegiance. We are fearful of leaving it to chance, tuning in with no more
sustenance than the faint hope that the best team win and the odd xenophobic
grudge against the Germans. We would rather not watch. What a shame.
Some of the greatest matches I have seen have been internationals with no
English involvement. Spain 2, Nigeria 3 in Nantes during the 1998 World Cup,
when Spain led twice only to be beaten by a goal by Sunday Oliseh 12 minutes
from time. Italy's 2-0 extra-time win over Germany, the hosts, in the 2006
World Cup semi-final in Dortmund; Holland going two goals up against the
Czech Republic at Euro 2004 and losing 3-2. And a quite brilliant match,
believe it or not, between Mexico and Bulgaria at the World Cup in 1994,
which was stopped in its tracks when a halfwit referee from Syria called
Jamal Al Sharif sent off one player from each side early in the second half,
meaning nobody dared put in a tackle thereafter.
There will be plenty that I have forgotten and many that were stunning but
were only glimpsed in a bar on television, such as Spain's 4-3 win over
Yugoslavia at Euro 2000.
I will travel to Austria and Switzerland with equally high hopes because any
tournament that pits Holland against Italy, France against Romania, Spain
against Russia, the Czech Republic against Portugal, Croatia against
Germany, Holland against France and Romania against Italy in the space of
five days has more than a little going for it. And this is merely the group
stage, remember. It gets better in the knockout. Who to shout for? Let the
game unfold. There will be one side who deserve it more. Cheer for them. If
you like football, you'll always end up with a team.
Yes, it would have been lovely for England to be there, but is Euro 2008 now a
turn-off? No way. The 1994 World Cup was full of wonderful surprises, such
as Bulgaria beating Germany in New Jersey, and it developed an energy of its
own in this country, long before our Premier League was the most
international in the world. In many ways, it was the 1994 tournament that
was the starting point for the globalisation of the English game. It
captured imaginations, not least when Alan Sugar, the former Tottenham
Hotspur chairman, brought Jürgen Klinsmann, the Germany striker, and two
Romanians, Ilie Dumitrescu and Gheorghe Popescu, to White Hart Lane soon
after. Now, it is as if we are sated. Yet surely, 14 years on, a Tottenham
fan will be just as interested in how Modric, the new signing, fares for
Croatia.
The point is, with this tournament, English football is represented, but in a
slightly different form. More Arsenal players get in the Switzerland squad
than are available for England. There are four Liverpool players turning up
for Spain, as opposed to the two that reported for England duty in May. And
even if half of your squad is not decamping to a lakeside or mountain-top
headquarters, is there not a pull in seeing the game played properly for a
change? “Oh, so that is what it is supposed to look like,” as a female
friend of mine observed, when watching Brazil at a long-distant World Cup.
“It's quite good, football, isn't it?”
I agree with every word in Martin's article - and yet have watched virtually none of the tournament. In my head I know it makes no difference if England are there or not, but I just can't muster up much passion for it.
John, London, UK
Bring on something that matters, like Mars missions or World Cups. Euro2008 is an over-hyped parochial job creation scheme for sports commentators/critics at best. Thank goodness our players decided it wasn't worth the effort.
Richard, Huntingdon, UK
The "football fans" replying to this article are the same johnny-come-latelys jumping on the Big 4 bandwagon. I for one won't miss seeing these idiots parading their England flags from cars and windows. Club and Country first but I'd happily watch any quality neutral game. Remember Argentina 1978?
Kennaz, Newcastle, England
Maybe the rest of Europe have got things in proportion, and concentrated on football, which is why they're there and England isn't! 2 days to go, and here in France there are no flags visible, I haven't seen one person in a blue shirt, no bunting, no special promotions in the shops - so civilised!
Graeme, Dinan, France
Sorry Martin but sometimes watching a team you hate get gubbed is just as good as your team winning.
We are not a Neutral country - we invade other people for oil. Look how far some of these guys have to look to get a good 'neutral' game - 1982, 1994. I look forward to Croatia getting beaten.
Scott, London,
Half the fun is watching the other games at big tournaments - especially when it's a real grudge match - France & Italy should be a good one this time round.
And the big man is dead right about neutral fans. You've got no chance of just rocking up and paying these days.
Kevin, London, UK
Dear Mr. Elder. There was something odd about Paollo Rossi at the 82 Cup in Spain. The men started the Cup lost in the field to, all of a sudden, score 6 gols.The gols that mattered and made the History. I find that all very strange.
Fabio C, London, UK
I couldn't agree more. I also remember the times when my friend and I use to get the paper out on a Saturday morning over a proper cooked breakfast and pick a match to go see. Just for the shear enjoyment of watching football (and I still remember that crazy match when QPR drew 5-5 with Newcastle).
Barry, London,
Euro 2008? We are NOT interested!
andy, london,
Football is always a turn off whoever is playing.
Robert Eve, Marlborough,
My sentiments entirely. I have always classed myself as a football supporter first and a Liverpool supporter as a consequence. I have always watched tournaments without England and will always have a soft spot for Holland after those sublime teams of 1974 and 1978.
Dave Ross, Letchworth Garden City,
The Euros are never as much fun as the World Cup - simply because we already know everyone.
I've rarely seen anything as thrilling as Saeed al-Owairan's miraculous winner against Belgium in 94, and a vital part of that was that I had no idea who he was (nor anything he's done since).
Rob, Newcastle, UK
as a fan of the english game and world football i will miss england at the finals of course i always liked england you would never know what they would do alas i think this is a big chance gone for them i think that this time they could have gone all the way to the final and win one of the big ones
ger gibney, dublin, ireland
"They were in love with affixing a St George's Cross to the car aerial, buying the new red England shirt and joining a gang for a month"
A Month? When did an English assault on a tournament last see out a month?
Hugh, Dublin, Ireland
Japan vs Belgium's 2 all draw in 2002. I only saw the second half I think but it was just fabulous, fearless, attacking football from both teams played in the best of spirits. It remains one of my favourite matches ever.
Richard, London, UK
But the point is we can see all of the wonderful players you mention & the best of Africa & Latin America in a superior event every year; its called the Champions League; elite club football is better now than it's international equivalent which is why FIFA want to restrict the strength of clubs
ian baker, stanmore, UK
Couldn't agree more with Mr Samuel (and I don't always do). I'll be watching and supporting Netherlands or Germany. I live in the Netherland and used to live in Germany. Both much nicer than England...
Russ Kent, Maastricht NL, Netherlands
Mr Samuel - nothing to do with the above article, but would you please consider giving some attention in your excellent column to the plight of Luton Town FC - specifically the judgement of the FA today which punishes the new owners and fans far more severely than those responsible. Thank you.
Jamie Walker, Southport, England
The fact that Martin Samuel thinks the European Championship is interesting without England being there shows how little he knows. Football is about the passion, the tribe, the crowd. Its not really about the players and its not about watching TV Martin.
David, London, UK
Who can forget Italy beating holland in xtra time at euro 2000?And World Cup 1982 in Spain,where Italy thrashed Argentina and Brazil in consecutive games before beating Germany in the final!aAmazing games of grit , determination, courage and blissful skill !
C.Elder, Paris, France
I agree with the majority of the comments below. Along with the opportunity to view some of the world's best players, I'll cherish this tournament because of it's lack of completely over the top pro English hype and the inevitable media backlash when they fail.
william, London,
I liked your article and can empathise with your point of view. As a staunch England rugby fan I can say that by far the best match in last years World Cup was Wales v Fiji - better than either of England's quarter or semi-final victories for sheer spectacle. So go on footy fans, give Euro 2008 a go
Matt Hoare, Hove, England
I agree with Stuart. England being absent actually makes the tournament worth attending. Better football, no drunks and no grown men acting like animals.
lets not forget Nigeria's 3-0 demolition of bulgaria at USA 94. Passing football at its best!!!
Charles, London, UK
Be it as it may England are awful to watch, I will not be watching. I love football but most of the players we watch in the premiership and unfortunately i cannot escape my patriosm.
Glen Monks, Bedford,
It's possible to be a fervent supporter of a team/nation but appreciate football & it's finer points. I remember Saints got out-played by Leeds (not the Bremner & co match - another one in the 90s) & our fans booing Saints off then applauding Leeds as they left the pitch. Sadly, couldn't happen now.
Matt, Southampton, England
Absent England is a tournament blessing - the worst games at most major finals from 2000 onwards have involved england! paraguay, ecuador, trinidad etc. We may have the most effective club sides, but the artistry of games such as czech v holland in 04 are beyond comparison. Can't wait.
Stuart, Manchester,
Watching England is usually dull and disappointing; for those of you who want to maintain an English dimension, play the how many English Players would get into this side game. My best score is 6 for Austria, most of the others i cant get past 3. Try it its fun.
jonners, weybridge,
I have to agree with Duarte. As an England fan, there was an exquisite pain in seeing my team being so comprehensively outplayed, but I came away from the match feeling priveliged to have witnessed such a fantastic match, and such beautiful play by Portugal. They were magnificent.
Brendan, Martin, Slovakia
Hear, Hear Martin. I'll certainly be watching all the games I can and won't miss England's participation all that much. They are not there because they're not good enough, simple as, and anyone who followed their progress through the last world cup and qualifying should not be at all surprised.
David, Cambridge,
Won't it be nice to be able to concentrate on the quality of the football rather than the ludicrous hype that follows the England team wherever they go?
I won't miss the coverage of the topless, tattooed beer-gut sporting England "fans" turning city centres into no-go areas either.
Rob Pritchard, Ingatestone, England
I'm not always one to agree with Martin but I couldn't agree more with this article. As a neutral I hope I'll be a more perceptive viewer, able to appreciate subtle tactical changes etc, that in simply willing the ball into the goal while watching England play I wouldn't have
Andrew, Manchester,
Agree with most of that - the euros are the WC without Brazil and Argentina. WC'94 had my favourite ever 45mins of football-1st-half of Nigeria v's Arg was/is as good as football gets. Romania v Arg was also a classic (Hagi = genius in a yellow shirt). Romania will be the king-makers in their group.
John, Amsterdam,
Couldnt agree with you more Martin Samuel. I have always enjoyed WC's and the Euro's as an opportunity to see the best players from other countries. I cant wait to see how Barnetta, Aquilani, Huntelaar, Modric etc perform.
Rob, Sandwich,
Football IS still appreciated in this country by neutrals - people who watch a Man U game on TV aren't all Man U fans are they? However, watching Euro 2008 will bring on frustration & angst for most people: with the players England had, we should have been contenders. Such a missed opportunity.
ben, london,
No, Euro without England isn't a turn off --I won't even bother turning it on!! Had England been there I would have watched every game they played.
Graham, Pattaya, Thailand
Belgium and Russia in Irapuato at the 1986 World Cup.
... more entertaining than the "Hand-of-God" game!
David Holmes, Bowling Green, KY, USA
Sorry fellows,
You are forgeting the portuguese turn over when they were loosing with England at the Euro 2000....
England 2 -Portugal 3.
All the Brasilian games at the 1982 worl cup should be remembered...and I agree with David, the Romania 3 Argentina 2, was also one of the best ever games
Duarte, Lisbon, Portugal
Good that you mentioned USA 94 - magnificent tournament and, as I was on the rock and roll after leaving uni, I got to spend the whole month thinking about nothing but the game.
Favvourite match: Romania 3 Argentina 2.
Hagi.....
David Stott, Leeds,