The things big sisters do to make their brothers jealous...
Last week, I went on a six hour bus ride to Warsaw to see Poland take on San Marino in a World Cup Qualifier. Seeing as I highly doubt I'll make it to Rio next summer for the actual World Cup (although if I happen to inherit $10k, it'd be a sweet graduation present for my lil bro!), this seemed like a good place to get in on the action.
So on Tuesday night, I ventured to Stadion Narodowy, or the National Stadium, for my first experience of an international game. Prior to this game, my only experience with soccer was my brother and sister's high school and AYSO games and ONE fantastic afternoon with my hometown NSPL team, Detroit City Football Club.
A quick shout out to the awesomeness of Le Rouge supporters via a Youtube clip. If this is how Americans support a semi-pro team, my expectations for a European World Cup qualifier were for it to at least be in the same ball park of crazy.
Understandably, smoke bombs aren't allowed in the National Stadium; however, there was no raucous celebrations for goals or disdain for the opponent. Granted, Poland won the match 5-0...but even the first goal, everyone cheered with their Polska scarves raised high, but there wasn't the insanity of cheering I expected. Perhaps if I had attended the game against Ukraine it would've been a different story!
The best moment of the whole evening was before the game, singing the Polish National Anthem. Over 100 years ago my great grandparents left Poland, and that sacrifice of family to venture into the unknown country, language, and culture of America is something I remember every day that I am in Poland.
Once upon a time, I proudly performed the Polish National Anthem in front of a bunch of Polish-Americans at my graduation from Polish dance and thought THAT was a great tribute to my great grandparents. And here I was, on the other side of the world, singing with 40,000 Polish people. Goosebumps is an understatement.
A soccer game can no longer be complete without a little love for Hooligans for Heroes. This is an organization that a dear friend's husband and a group of DCFC supporters started to raise money for the Wounded Warrior project. Hooligans sponsors fundraisers in the Metro Detroit area, but it's spreading across the U.S. right now. Supporters of EVERY soccer club can rally behind this great cause, and a trip to a Polish National game is no different.
Last week, I went on a six hour bus ride to Warsaw to see Poland take on San Marino in a World Cup Qualifier. Seeing as I highly doubt I'll make it to Rio next summer for the actual World Cup (although if I happen to inherit $10k, it'd be a sweet graduation present for my lil bro!), this seemed like a good place to get in on the action.
So on Tuesday night, I ventured to Stadion Narodowy, or the National Stadium, for my first experience of an international game. Prior to this game, my only experience with soccer was my brother and sister's high school and AYSO games and ONE fantastic afternoon with my hometown NSPL team, Detroit City Football Club.A quick shout out to the awesomeness of Le Rouge supporters via a Youtube clip. If this is how Americans support a semi-pro team, my expectations for a European World Cup qualifier were for it to at least be in the same ball park of crazy.
 |
| Pre-game anthems |
The best moment of the whole evening was before the game, singing the Polish National Anthem. Over 100 years ago my great grandparents left Poland, and that sacrifice of family to venture into the unknown country, language, and culture of America is something I remember every day that I am in Poland.
 |
| Took forever to find the drums! |
A soccer game can no longer be complete without a little love for Hooligans for Heroes. This is an organization that a dear friend's husband and a group of DCFC supporters started to raise money for the Wounded Warrior project. Hooligans sponsors fundraisers in the Metro Detroit area, but it's spreading across the U.S. right now. Supporters of EVERY soccer club can rally behind this great cause, and a trip to a Polish National game is no different.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.