It's A Good Thing: Ireland Fans Sing Even When Losing

Let's face it, the off-pitch news swirling around Euro 2012 has not been pretty. Before the matches started there was a huge focus on how much racism players would face in the Eastern European countries hosting the games, Ukraine and Poland. Then there were the violent clashes between Poland and Russia fans the other day, which have raised concerns about the specter of hooliganism at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Despite all this bad press concerning football fans, yesterday one group of fans acquitted themselves quite well, serving as an example of why and how football fandom can be fun, should be fun. Despite the economic situation in their country and despite the fact that their team lost to Spain 4-0 and previously lost to Croatia, 3-1, the Ireland fans stayed for the full match, serenading their team, their country with The Fields of Athenry.

The cynic can easily, and rightly, point out that Euro 2012 was Ireland's first appearance in a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup Finals; therefore, its fans have low expectations and can frivolously enjoy just being at the Euros. On the other hand, I think that the fans of more "serious" teams (England, Russia, etc.) would do well to take a moment and try to learn something from the Ireland fans, because, when all is said and done, football is just a game and sometimes you don't need to win to feel good about your country, and to feel good about yourself.

Thug Life: Nigel De Jong Is Now Fouling Children

Nigel De Jong has a reputation of being something of a thug on the pitch, willing to commit a hard foul with no remorse. Now De Jong, who is with The Netherlands side in Poland for Euro 2012, has extended his attitude to a friendly match against a group of children:

Here's some of De Jong's "Greatest Hits":

U8 Match Abandoned Because of Polish Hooligans?

This has to be one of the weirdest videos from a U8 match that I've ever seen. It appears that the match had been abandoned prior to the camera rolling and the poor kids were trying to clean up the streamers that littered the basketball court turned indoor football pitch.

Achtung United States, Meet your New Midfielder, Jermaine Jones

After what feels like years of speculation, Jermaine Jones finally suited up for the U.S. National Team in Saturday night's 2-2 draw with Poland at Soldier Field in Chicago.

My first impression of how the young German born midfielder did in his first outing with the Red, White, & Blue - promising. The obvious contribution from Jones was his ability to make long, accurate passes, including one to Jozy Altidore that lead to the US's first goal in the 12th minute. As Jones adjusts to his teammates, and vice versa, his passing skills should help the team to stretch the field and more bite to their attack.

Until our next chance to watch Jones (probably on Tuesday when US plays Colombia), here's a glimpse at his past in Germany:

Poland v. U.S.A., March 26

This isn't really new news, but it hasn't received a whole lot of attention. In addition to playing Spain as it prepares for Euro 2008, the USMNT will take on Poland in Poland on March 26.


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