Croatia – Streetsville, Mississauga
At the corner of Eglinton and Mississauga Road, a wood crafted sign reads: “Welcome to Streetsville, the Village in the City of Mississauga.” This sign reflects the small-town charm of the neighbourhood that lies beyond it. But more importantly, it symbolizes the friendly nature of Streetsville’s dynamic Croatian community.
During the first week of the Euro Cup, Streetville’s Croatians were out in full force, welcoming locals and visitors alike to cheer on their home team. Many gathered to watch the games at the Croatian National Sports Club on Queen Street. Led by Nedo, affectionately known as “the best manager of Toronto Croatia and our favourite uncle,” the gang shared drinks and stories of Croatia’s success.
“We are very powerful in sports… There’s always somebody from such a small nation that comes up and performs for its country and for its people… Croatia is a small nation, but a nation of major domination,” said contractor and Sports Club regular Dalibor ‘Dallas’ Milicevic. And after their country dominated Euro favourite Germany with a 2-1 win on Thursday, moving to first place in Group B and securing a spot in the quarter-finals, Streetsville became a village of major celebration.
The community’s historical buildings and corner stores were virtually unrecognizable amidst the cheering fans, waving flags, and blaring horns. “It feels so good being in Streetsville right here on Canadian soil, lifting up the three colours [of the Croatian flag]: red, white, and blue and holding the checkers,” said super-fan Justin Škrinjar as he joined in on the excitement.
Further down the road at Father Kamber Croatian Parish Park, thousands of fans watched the games outdoors amongst the foliage, their friends, and those ubiquitous Croatian flags. Milicevic insisted that the park is always a lively and community oriented place. There is only one difference between the park’s weekly Sunday picnics and its current Euro celebrations: “Soccer brings out more checkers,” a proud Milicevic stated.
Look out for more checkers and that glorious red, white, and blue when the Euro 2008 quarter-finals commence on June 19.
—SARA QUINN
Greece – The Danforth
Greece entered this year’s Euro Cup with high hopes of reliving their 2004 championship-stealing glory, and the Danforth was in full blue and white regalia in the first week of the games.
Almost all of the upscale restaurants and bars along the strip sported multiple plasma TVs. Patios were the best for patriotic fans, who stood up and belted out the national anthem at the beginning of each game. The best seats were at Café Frappe at Danforth and Fenwick. It didn’t seem to matter whether customers were noshing on anything especially Greek—most patrons chose from the regular array of beers or went with an iced coffee—as long as they were in the characteristic Greek blue.
As for the games, The Simpsons’ portrayal of international soccer as being five defense players passing the ball back and forth with the other team waiting for them to make a move proved a fairly accurate description of the strategy that won Greece the cup in 2004 It did wonders in 2004; less so this year. “Shoot it!” was the main cheer from exasperated fans. Comedic relief came with replays of coach Otto Rehhagel’s wild gesticulations in response to bad plays. But it was tragedy for the Heroes of Hellas. There was some optimism that the team could bring it back after their 2-0 loss to Sweden on Saturday, but it all came crashing down with Saturday’s game against Russia leaving Greece shut out and pointless after two losses. At five minutes to go in the second game the patio set were on their feet when Charisteas seemed to have tied the game, only to be dismayed when the goal was called offside.
One of the post-game long faces was that of spectator John Katsis, who found that when Greece stopped trying to repeat their plays from 2004 they put up a better fight. He chalked up the team’s poor performance to pressure. “Last time they had nothing to prove. This time they had the title of defending champions, so I guess there was a little more stress. Unfortunately, we can’t walk around with our head held high, not going out at this stage. There’s nothing we can do now except walk around and talk about the game for the next three months.”
—JADE COLBERT
Portugal – College & Ossington
The Portuguese kicked off their Euro 2008 campaign in style with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Turkey. Amongst the Portuguese fans spread out along College Street, the pre-match banter emphasized the shared optimism the community holds for their team’s chances this year. This time around, they may have a solid case.
There is a sense of mission for Portugal. The wound of falling to Greece in the Euro 2004 final has not healed. Judging by their opening game, the Portuguese team seems to be as hungry for success as their fans in Toronto.
Another reason for Portugal’s optimism is Cristiano Ronaldo. For those unfamiliar with the finer details of the game known here as ‘soccer,’ he could be described as a ‘phenom’. Having matured greatly from four years ago, he is set on a course to become World Player of the Year. The fans’ confidence may be matched by a team capable of finally winning their first major tournament.
Speaking to the hordes of Portuguese fans crammed inside bars along College brought home the importance of this competition. If Portugal wins, the party would last for weeks. The fans would forfeit their jobs and scrap their schedules, choosing to go wild.
The desperation to win is further heightened by the closeness of the Italian and Portuguese communities. Having conglomerated in roughly the same neighbourhood on arriving in Canada, Portuguese and Italian-Canadians cannot escape each other’s successes and failures in major soccer tournaments. Watching the Italian street parties after World Cup 2006 only added to this local rivalry. The Portuguese are desperate to step out from under the shadow of Italy, to wave the green and red flag in their own celebration party, and to banish the memory of their own Greek tragedy four years ago.
After witnessing the insanity outside Cervejeria at College and Ossington following Portugal’s victory in the opening game, rest assured that if Portugal wins a
major trophy, the party will be well worth attending. Forca Portugal!
—TOM MARSHALL
Poland – Roncesvalles Village
Do you want to hear a good Polish joke? Here’s one for you. It takes place on Thursday, June 12th in the predominately Polish neighborhood of Roncesvalles.
A man walks into a Polish bar called Zagloba, during the Euro Cup match in which Poland leads Austria 1-0 in the second half. This is Poland’s first ever Euro, and since they lost their opening game to Germany, this could be their first ever win. In the bar, a crowd of ten Polish-speaking fans are gathered around the television to watch the game. The man grabs a nearby chair and admires the charming bar, adorned with a collection of Polish soccer memorabilia, a 3-D poster for Zywiec beer, old fashioned gaming machines, and a handsome poster of the New York City skyline at night, replete with the World Trade Center. The hushed comments of the fans turn into mumbles and then yells, as the game reaches its denouement and Poland narrowly misses their insurance goal. At the last minute of the match, a Polish player is called for a penalty in the box, and Austria scores on a free kick. Game over. 1-1 tie. Not a happy ending for the assembled crowd.
The man leaves the bar, and as he wanders south, he discovers another, more well-lit bar called The Dizzy, where fans are spilling out the door. One patron, a Polish soccer fan named Jools Chrosicki, says that the tying Austria goal was unavoidable. Poland had many chances to score in the second half, but failed to capitalize. Another well-spirited fan, a dead ringer for Philip Seymour Hoffman, pipes up that Chrosicki is “the only Polish guy on Roncesvalles that would admit it was a good call,” causing the bar to erupt in fits of laughter.
The man suddenly remembers reading that Poland is scheduled to co-host the 2012 Euro. However, Poland would only host if the facilities could be completed in time. At this point, Warsaw has no main soccer stadium, and is nowhere near ready to host. Chrosicki speculates that Spain, or Ireland/Wales will take Poland’s place.
The man boards a streetcar and at the next stop another streetcar passenger, apropos of nothing, announces to the driver, “This is a terrible day. Poland lost, or tied or something.” This is the real joke of the day.
—CHARLES TRAPUNSKI
Italy – College Street
Hours before Italy’s 2008 Euro Cup debut, wearing the same clothes and commingling at the same bars as during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Italian soccer fanatics descended upon College Street hoping for the same result: another major championship victory.
Draped in Italian flags and jerseys, fans joined their beloved Azzurri in singing the Italian national anthem prior to their match versus the Netherlands.
Italian super-fan Giuseppe Rauti, wearing customized Crocs, a wig bearing the Italian colours, a pair of pants made from an Italian flag and a classic Azzurri jersey—a costume also donned when he grabbed the front page of the Toronto Star after Italy’s World Cup win—exemplified the passion that has taken hold of Toronto’s soccer-hungry Italian community.
“I wait every four years and I wait every two years. This is my favourite time of year. My favourite everything,” explained Rauti.
But what a difference 45 minutes can make. After a less than stellar half by the Azzurri, plagued with questionable coaching decisions, a controversial goal in favour of the Netherlands and an unshakable performance by Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, the enthusiasm of the Italian supporters was crushed.
Conversations turned to the lack of leadership on the Italian side, brought about by the loss of captain and 2006 FIFA Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro and Italy’s inability to control an incredibly strong Dutch team.
“They’re just playing bad. All and all they’re playing bad,” said Joe Martino, 21.
As time began to wind down in the second half and raindrops began to fall, Italian fans began trickling out onto College Street in disbelief. Their flags now used as shelter against the rain, but not the pain of an embarrassing loss.
Things did not improve in their second game versus Romania. A late goal and a late save by the Italians leading to a 1-1 tie have now set up a final group match showdown versus long time rivals France.
With a rematch of the 2006 World Cup Final looming and the possibility of an early exit from the tournament,supporter Alfonso Querlia managed to express the anguish felt by Italian fans around the city:
“The support is obviously awesome, the love is there, but it’s just not happening on the field right now. That’s pretty much all there is to say.”
—VERONICA BARBIERI and MATT McKAY
