Sports Scenes from Europe, pt 2

The faces on the football (fußball/fussball or soccer) fans were solemn with a quiet focus on what was important. People were not screaming or cursing at the giant projector screens. Hell, they rarely stood up to fetch beer at the bar. Football was on which put everything else on hold.

Today all the teams involved in the Bundesliga were playing. Every city in Germany has a team represented at some level of the Bundesliga with the major cities having the best teams in the highest level. Munich, the rival, is the powerhouse of Germany and even participates in the Champions League. Today, however, we pull for Berlin without exception.

The sports bar in Berlin has a different look and feel to it than what we might find here in America. But there was one peculiar standout in the way the games were broadcasted. In America, a few screens broadcast the major sporting events of that day. In Berlin at this sports bar, ONE screen broadcasts ALL the games simultaneously. Let me explain.

One of the sports channels broadcasts what is translated as “conference programming” whereby all games rotate every few minutes. This keeps viewing the games moving and always exciting. If you have ever complained about football being boring, this is your remedy. Every few minutes a goal is scored in some game. After a goal is announced, the game is immediately switched for all to see. Think of this as a highlight reel in real time. If you wanted to watch just one game, they had those TVs in other rooms.

Later in the week, we went to a local bar to watch the Munich vs Lisbon game for the Champions League. We pulled for Munich this time (think of it as pulling for the SEC in out-of-conference games). Munich finally broke out of its shell with a 5-0 rout over Portugal team. It was a quality ass whooping and entertaining sport.

Criticize soccer all you like, but this is quality sport that is both entertaining and engaging. The talent pool is truly global and when the world gathers next year in South Africa you will see a true World Series. It these reasons which warmed me in Barcelona when every night when you get home, there will always be multiple football match-ups on the tube for your sports enjoyment. The action transcends any cultural or language barrier.


WRudolph is not on assignment but has decided to recount his sports encounters on a recent trip to Barcelona and Berlin.