Orange Polka Dot

World Cup 2010: Watch Semifinals in Barcelona

 

In Barcelona and want to watch the World Cup semifinal match between Spain and Madrid tonight? If you really want to see the wild cheering and enthusiasm of locals while you watch, better catch a train to Madrid. 

Still want to stay in Barcelona for the game? You have two types of venues to choose from: a regular bar/cafe or a sports bar. On any street block you should be able to find a small bar or cafe, which usually have a television playing sports events. During games, these places usually are standing room only. A small bar or cafe is your best bet for hanging with locals. 

But remember, the locals in Barcelona are Catalan. In my opinion, they don't seem as enthusiastic for La Roja as they are for Barça (read my post about the lack of support). If you are lucky, you can find a bar run by a non-Catalan Spaniard. Usually these are named after the area where they are from in Spain. 

Your second option is a sports bar or pub. Most of these have foreign themes. Think Amsterdam Pub, Irish Pub and you get the picture. These will tend to be bigger facilities with more TVs and better quality TVs. You are most likely to cheer along with expats and tourists at a sports bar or pub. 

:: Sports Bars in Barcelona :: 

Check out these great lists of sports bars and pubs in Barcelona that show sporting events. 

• Barcelona Life: List of sports bars and pubs.
• Oh! Barcelona: A long list of sport bars and pubs with directions for each. 

World Cup 2010: La Roja and Catalunya

Catalan children playing bottle cap soccer at a birthday party
 

At the beginning of the 2010 World Cup season, I began noticing World Cup items for sale in the stores. Espana-colored peanut M&Ms, t-shirts and uniforms for some of the more popular countries, coloring books, soccer balls, you get the picture. I got excited to see a lot of World Cup fever around Barcelona. In Catalunya, when Barça plays, crowds gather at local bars and cafes. When Barça plays, you can hear the neighborhood cheer in unison when a good play is made. When Barça plays, the roads and streets are empty - everyone is circled around a television to watch the match. At least once a week, there is a child at my son's nursery school wearing a Barça uniform. Kids sing Barça chants on the school patio at recess. Even my gringo kids know the Barça colors and songs. In every park and birthday party, kids are kicking a futbol. I expected this enthusiasm supporting the Spanish team, La Roja. 

La Roja | Photo by: RFEF

As Spain progressed in the brackets, I kept waiting to witness the excitement I see when Barça plays. But no luck. One of my biggest surprises upon moving here was discovering that Catalunya is not Spain. This weekend, we ate dinner al fresco in a Costa Brava town. I only saw two lonely people wearing the Spanish flag tied around their shoulders as Spain played Paraguay. Socially, I don't hear as much chatter about the World Cup as I do when Barça plays. I have heard cheers from my neighbor's house during a La Roja match. And I do believe, if you walk the streets of Barcelona during game time tonight, you will find the bars packed with viewers. After all Catalans do enjoy futbol and do not forget the hordes of summer tourists in Barcelona who want to watch the game. 

But these actions come no where near the Catalans' support of Barça. I don't believe Catalans are enthusiastic supporters of La Roja. Doing so can even be a political statement. There is even a report of a Catalan boy wearing a La Roja shirt was rebuked and insulted. Letters to the editor and articles in Barcelona newspapers discuss the lack of support for La Roja and its political impact.

World Cup 2010 Uniforms @ Carrefour 

In stores like H&M and Carrefour, you will find stacks of La Roja paraphenellia for sale, while the Brazil and Argentina shirts were sold quickly. During one game day, I saw so many people wearing Brazil shirts, you'd think we weren't in Barcelona. 

Peanut M&Ms in Espana colors
 

Tonight, La Roja plays Germany in the semi-final. And Paul the octopus has officially chosen Spain. Feel like going against the grain and cheering for La Roja in Barcelona? Here is where to watch the game.