Although we are in the midst of the UK general election campaign, not everyone is tuning in to watch the TV debates. In fact, many sports fans are more focused on the fierce battles being played out on the football pitches across Germany. Because so far, the Euros 2024 have not failed to disappoint. There have been matches full of high drama with contentious decisions and almost as many own-goals scored as the current government’s tally in recent days. However, one thing that has set apart the different contests is the culinary row being fuelled by opposing football supporters.
Reportedly, it started with the Swiss during their first match of the tournament when they taunted their rival Hungarian fans with a simple cardboard sign proudly stating, ‘FONDUE BETTER THAN GOULASH’. Brave words from the Swiss and to further emphasise their point, many of them cheered on the match wearing hats topped with enormous wedges of cheeses. And they were right to be confident because the Swiss dominated the match and won 3-1. But the sign was promptly shared through the usual social media channels and alas, a food fight of sorts began.
Next to join in were the Albanian and Italian supporters. Although the Albanian supporters felt they had to take it one further. In the hour leading up to the match, the Albanian supporters delivered an early blow to their rivals as they gathered outside the stadium. They audaciously committed what many Italians see as a cardinal sin – pastacide. The Albanians approached their rival Italian fans and waved around whole fistfuls of dried spaghetti without any due care or respect. As the shocked Italians pleaded with them to come to their senses and stop, the Albanians defiantly snapped the pasta which immediately shot out hundreds of noodle splinters. It was a gutsy move but more was to come.
Perhaps buoyed on by their fearless supporters, Albania stormed the pitch as soon as the first whistle of the game was blown. They scored a record-breaking goal inside the first 23 seconds. It was absolutely breath-taking and Albania looked unstoppable. But the Italian fans, still smarting from the unnecessary pastacide, refused to be intimidated. Instead, they pulled out all the stops and unfurled a sign declaring, ‘EAT PASTA RUN FASTA’. The Italian team responded with just enough sheer determination to turn the game around. In the end their supporters (and pasta) were vindicated with Italy’s solid 2-1 result.
Word about food fight and rumours about bad food omens quickly spread among the football supporters. But the following day, Poland’s supporters showed up to their match against the Netherlands feeling confident. They knew better not to get involved in any pre-match desecration of Dutch culinary staples. Instead, they took a nod from the Swiss and went back to basics inside the stadium where they unveiled a large sign declaring, ‘KIELBASA BETTER THAN GOUDA’. However, they didn’t entirely follow the food protocol. Someone had decided to add a drawing of a massive steaming sausage that was practically towering over a piddly wedge of cheese. It was simply too much. At first, nothing was amiss and Poland got off to a good start as they led the match. But mocking the tiny Gouda with a badly-drawn picture had hit a sore spot and the Netherlands responded by evening things up. The second half of the match battled on but the Netherlands delivered a final blow in a strong 2-1 victory. The Polish supporters could only blame themselves for tempting food fate.
You would think that after this result, lessons would be learned and football supporters would think carefully before they disrespected the national foods of their opponents. But unfortunately, alcohol always overrides common sense. Which is why the Austrian supporters thought it wise to stir up another food fight. It started in the lead up to the Austria vs France match as fellow supporters were mixing and enjoying several pre-match drinks. Good-natured footie banter was shared back and forth and everything was calm. That is, until suddenly out of nowhere some baguettes were produced by the Austrians and it wasn’t because they were peckish. No, the supporters waved them around wildly in an echo of pastacide, without even thinking about the consequences.
Despite the cries and protests by the beret-wearing French supporters, the baguettes were broken with glee. More was to come inside the stadium when a sign declaring ‘SCHNITZEL BETTER THAN BAGUETTE’ was released. It was bold move, to say the least, but at least no one had added any culinary sketches. But after the baguette massacre, it was already too late because some bad food karma was about to play out on the pitch. It was a very tight game and France had to work hard but the Austrian team suffered more. Their supporters could only watch as their team score an own goal and helped Les Bleus deliver a 1-0 win.
As we get down to the last 16 teams and head towards the quarter finals, I have noticed that the Euro food fights have finally started to settle down. Clearly, some football supporters have learnt the lesson of creating bad food karma the hard way. After all, having confidence in your team doesn’t have to be exclusive of also having mutual respect for the other side. With less than a week to go until the UK election, this is something that many of our politicians could also well be reminded of.
Since Italy has made it through to the last 16 and as an endurance runner I fully endorse the adage, ‘EAT PASTA RUN FASTA’, I had to share my recipe for Cacio e pepe.
