Euro 2012 from the best seat in Paris

Paris is a good place to be for sports fans who can’t make it to an event in person. Every year during the French Open, screens are set up at Hotel de Ville for spectators to watch the major matches live from Roland Garros; and all this month, a fan park has been up at Trocadéro for football fans to enjoy each Euro 2012 match. Between the iconic locations and gratis entry, these are definitely better alternatives to watching a match in a bar or at home (or reading the BBC live blog, like this nerd has been doing).

For those who couldn’t make it to Poland or Ukraine for Euro 2012, Hyundai set up “Fan Parks” in seven major cities around Europe to watch the games. (Sometimes, you have to appreciate the big corporate sponsors.) Sure, it’s not the same as actually being in Poznań or Lviv, but it’s a more than acceptable substitute: in Paris, the entire garden area at Trocadéro has been blocked off for spectators to enjoy the games, which are played on a large screen directly in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Despite living only a few minutes away from the Trocadéro, I never felt like standing amongst the tourists and watching a match. But it was the semi-finals this week, and the match-ups were promising, so I finally paid the fan park a visit.

The first night I watched Portugal play Spain; each country had more than enough fans to pack the park, with the overflow filling the surrounding gardens. The following night’s game was Italy against Germany, which was sure to be more orderly, though just as good a game (if not better, as Portugal and Spain had failed to score at all in two hours of play).

For that game, I met up with my friend Christine and, knowing that security would pat us down for beverages at the entrance, we indulged in a bottle of wine in a secluded garden nearby before walking down to the fan park gates.

We found a spot amidst some Germany supporters to watch the match, which was of course accompanied by commentary en français; we delighted in listening to French announcers talk about German players like Schweinsteiger (“SCHVEINSTEIGAHH!”).

By halftime we were enamored with Mario Balotelli, the Italian striker with a golden mohawk who skillfully scored both of Italy’s goals. I (a goalie myself) had also developed a keeper-crush on Gianluigi Buffon, who is ranked one of the world’s greatest goalkeepers — watching him was like watching an artist at work; his brilliant saves left the Germans scoreless up until the 90th minute of the game.

As someone cheekily noted, “Mario and Luigi always save the day.”

Photo courtesy of Christine

The crowd was fairly calm during the entire game, so despite the 33 police vans and one police bus parked nearby, there was no need for the riot squads — many of whom, lacking chaos to control, were also watching and discussing the game.

For anyone who will be in Paris this weekend and is interested in watching the final between Spain and Italy, the gates to the Hyundai Fan Park open Sunday at 19:00. If you can’t be in Kiev, I’m pretty sure this is the next best place to be.

Where’s the coolest place you’ve ever watched a live sporting event?

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13 Comments

  • Reply
    loveantoinette
    June 30, 2012 at 01:56

    One of the best perks with living in big cities!

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 2, 2012 at 11:27

      I agree, absolutely!

  • Reply
    Christine Amorose (@camorose)
    June 30, 2012 at 07:18

    So much fun! So glad you suggested it :)

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 2, 2012 at 11:27

      So glad you were able to join me! :)

  • Reply
    Jessica
    June 30, 2012 at 15:04

    That looks great! Love the “Mario and Luigi always save the day joke.” Public viewings of big sports events are always so much fun.

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 2, 2012 at 11:28

      I agree, I love the energy. Definitely beats watching them alone or in a tiny bar!

  • Reply
    Daniel McBane
    July 1, 2012 at 09:21

    I watched two of South Korea’s world cup games in 2010 in a large square in central Seoul. It was pouring down rain during the first game, but Korea won, so the atmosphere was amazing. I think that event was probably sponsored by Hyundai as well.

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 2, 2012 at 11:30

      I can only imagine, that sounds like an amazing experience. I wonder what Hyundai will do for the World Cup in 2014?

  • Reply
    Erica
    July 2, 2012 at 01:38

    Looks like so much fun!! I love watching sports around crazy fans! In fact, I think that’s one of the only times that I’ll willingly be in the company of a crowd for hours.

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 2, 2012 at 11:31

      You’re not a fan of crowds…and you live in Tokyo?! Haha yes it was fun — so long as you got a seat. I went back for the final and had to stand; only lasted till half time before I went home.

      • Reply
        Erica
        July 2, 2012 at 14:48

        Don’t worry- the irony is not lost on me. :)

        Wow! you had to stand? In that huge park?! I don’t blame you!

  • Reply
    Kate (@shoegirlinDE)
    July 2, 2012 at 16:51

    What a great place to watch the games! We ended up at outdoor restaurants both times we went for public viewings, but it wasn’t nearly as impressive as this!

    Every time an announcer says Schweinsteiger’s name, I insist on repeating it in that abrasive German tone. Love it.

    Must say I too was impressed with Balotelli as a player until their loss in the finals. His behavior was crap and set a poor example of how to be a professional athlete. Spain played a much better game, all around.

    Last, but not least, I nominated you for a Liebster Award (I’m sure you’re so far past being an ‘up and coming’ blog, but I thought you deserved the recognition just the same), which you can find on my blog.

    • Reply
      Edna
      July 4, 2012 at 17:05

      Aw thanks Kate!

      Haha glad I’m not the only one who loves Schweinsteiger’s name. And yeah, it was painful to watch but Spain were pretty darn good.

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