Posts tagged euro 2012
An Oral History of Spain’s Perfect Goal
Since 2006, the Spanish national football team has been focused on maximising the greatest strength of its playing staff – midfielders passing the ball quickly over short distances. In the years since then, the numbers of both passes and midfielders have increased greatly in all areas of their game. On Monday 18 June – at approximately 22.31 hours local time – in the PGE Arena in Gdańsk, Poland played host to the apotheosis of Spanish football ideal; three midfielders combined to propel a ball over the goal line from the shortest range possible. This is the story of how Spain walked it in.
The Top 10 Bars to Watch Euro 2012 Soccer in Manhattan and Brooklyn
- Berry Park. Opened in 2010, this beer garden offers a big screen with picnic benches on the first floor and a panoramic view of Manhattan on the rooftop. An amazing beer menu, along with partnerships with local soccer clubs, makes this the top soccer bar in Williamsburg.
- Woodwork. A classy, soccer-only bar in the trending neighborhood of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, Woodwork offers three large flat screen televisions. It serves a more demure crowd than the Manhattan mainstays, but is a great place for a cheerful atmosphere. Afterwards, walk up Vanderbilt for some killer food options. You’re welcome here, but don’t get too pushy—save that for other spots on the list.
- Nevada Smith’s. This Manhattan soccer mainstay has been at the heart of the New York scene for years. Here you’ll hear chants by soccer clubs large and small, and you’re sure to meet a friend (or rival). Not for the faint of heart, Nevada Smith’s can also be too crowded for comfort. Come early. And I mean EARLY!
- Iona Bar. A sleek bar in the heart of Williamsburg that draws the truly committed soccer crowd. Hangovers are welcome. No one will shout at you.
- Central Bar. Mostly known as a spillover bar from the nearby Nevada Smith’s, Central Bar is a welcome step down from the insanity. If you arrive early, you can get a table, but New York soccerati are known to call ahead and reserve one (to your annoyance). The chicken nachos and cheese sandwiches make a great start to the day, along with the beer of course!
- Jack Demsey’s. Jack Dempsey was a boxer, but that doesn’t keep this bar from being the home of Celtic soccer supporters, and Dempsey would have surely joined in with the lively dancing and singing that happens when the Scots win. Unfortunately, Scotland did not qualify for this Euro edition but I’m sure there will be plenty to sing about.
- Smithfield’s. A newer sports bar, Smithfield’s is conveniently located right near Penn Station in Manhattan. It offers a dozen or so big screens and a lively crowd of such soccer oddities as West Ham supporters. Come watch if you need to get your soccer fix in the big city but don’t want to get in too deep. The one drawback is that the stereo is super loud, but somehow unintelligible at the same time, guaranteeing you a headache.
- Slainte. A relaxed Irish pub on the Lower East Side, Slainte shows soccer even when it’s not cool (i.e. regular league games.) Come here for a good pint and an attitude that says, “don’t bother me and I won’t bother you.”
- The Black Sheep Pub. Known for its chatty bartenders, this small Park Slope bar offers a big screen and a foosball table for you to reenact key moments in the match.
- Franklin Park. Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn this beer garden is somewhat of a fair weather soccer bar—they screen the big games and ignore the rest. But who cares? Its incredible beer selection and outdoor seating draw a multicultural crowd, half of whom have a friend who plays soccer somewhere. Bonus! Skeeball, Deer Hunter, and other games will allow your soccer-skeptical friends to have fun, even during 0-0 ties. Thank god for the passback rule. Eh? Eh?
Bonus bar!
Floyd. Located in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, Floyd draws a regular crowd throughout the soccer season. Great beer selection and they don’t mind if you order food from across the street. For those who like to multitask, you can play bocce ball on its indoor court. Sign up early, though, the wait is a doozer.
The “Zozulitsa”, or “Zozu” for short, is described as Ukraine’s version of the Vuvuzela, as the country prepares to host the Euro 2012 Cup. This little ceramic bird-whistle is both a cultural tradition which goes back 7000 years, and is now turning into a commercial bonanza aimed at the tens of thousands of football fans expected to flock into the country this year.
I’ve always wondered how national teams compared to clubs. My sense is that, while they have amazing talent, most national teams don’t have the time to develop the complex tactics or on-field awareness of a club team that can practice hundreds of times in a year. What do you think?
The Sun’s guide to saving money at Euro2012.
Jan Metcalf: Euro 2012 Preview
“As a dramatic season comes to its conclusion in Munich next week, the eyes of the footballing world will turn its attention to Poland and Ukraine for the 2012 European Championships, as 16 of Europe’s elite go toe to toe in one of the fiercest international tournament’s in world football. With all the squads now announced, and preparations well under way, here is my preview of all 16 teams, including their chances of success, key men and rising stars who could make their name this summer.”
Why the Polish Ultras are against Euro 2012
I had in recent weeks, a number of people asking for some details and answers about why Polish Ultras really hate UEFA Euro 2012. I will give you some answers and information below. I will try to be concise but it is quite a complex issues and you can read all about how repressions from police and…
Will the Zozulica replace the Vuvuzela in Euro 2012? The Zozulica is a 2,000 year-old wind instrument made of clay in Ukraine. A cheaper plastic version may be sold for less than $10.
