Passionate support from Switzerland of my national team, in the July 2006 world cup quarter finals.

I don't like English premiership football. I think the players are overpaid, the game doesn't promote good sportsmanship; Players spit at each other and roll around the floor, as if the world has ended when mildly kicked, and there's no gentlemanly conduct.

In Rugby, the referee is called Sir, the players take his decision as final even if wrong, and don't argue with him. Players stand up and sing the national anthem with gusto, and the opposing sides supporters stand silently in respect. When they loose a pint of blood through a meer scratch, they wait to be sent off, instead off rolling about waiting for stretcher bearers.

Anyway, enough negativity, I'm an Englishman, and my national football team progressed to the quarter finals stage of the 2006 Germany world cup. I'm living in Zurich for work for around 6 months, and my work buddy's, Patrick Hufnagel and Attila Pazmandi and his family turned up to a giant screen setup at Bellvueplatz Zuerich especially for the tournament.

This is a collection of photo's from our day of passionate support.

After a couple of beers, and shaking hands with all the other English guys; who I'd met whilst spectating at earlier matches, and lead in flag charges across the pitch; it was time for 'God save the Queen'.

As you can see I sang as loud as I could drowning out the booing of the unsporting greasy Portuguese in front of me. Of course during their anthem we stood politely and showed some respect. It was a bunch of around 8 young men who refused to sit down despite, being in direct view of the screen, and being asked by their fellow supporters to sit down. Even Attila with his kids couldn't see the screen after they further refused to shift.

Anyway as soon as the game kicked off, it got worse, and every cheer of 'come on England' was responded to with a greasy sneer and dirty look from the guys in front. I tried to explain they needed to shout louder for Portugal and not try to stop me. Lost words, but I was in good company.

I put face paint on Attila's kids, and anybody else around who'd take some, the more flags on faces the better. Though an Irish fella and an American girl rejected me flat, particularly the American girl, I tried to explain about the colonies, but she refused to listen, no matter.

 

Despite our enthusiasm, I hope that we were all careful not to swear or behave badly in front of Attila's children, I had to hold back some expletives following my flag charge. Apparently the Portuguese guys didn't like my display, though you can see that my buddies in the England shirts did. It was a bit of a roller coaster game (I think) I'd had quite a few beers, and unfortunately for everyone, the game went to penalties, and at one point it looked good for England, but we finally got knocked out. Disappointing, but it's just a game, and nevermind. I had a great day out with friends, and the spirit was largely international and excellent fun.