Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Euro 2024 fans: Ranking all 24 sets of supporters in Germany from worst to best

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18. Italy

The equalising goal against Croatia demonstrated the power their fans can generate, although we are yet to reach the Tardelli eyes-bulging level of excitement. Games can often peak atmospherically with the national anthem, which is not ideal.

17. Czech Republic

Aside from the glory of 1976 and near-miss of 1996, they often feel like a team making up the numbers at these tournaments. Travel well but cannot compete with teams for whom qualifying is a rarer occurrence.

16. Spain

Enjoying the brilliance of their team but lack the collective sense of struggle which bonds a national fanbase, given dominance is so fresh in the memory. A few fans have been encountered whose primary odour is not stale beer but (surely medical?) marijuana. Perhaps explains a more relaxed attitude.

15. Poland

Solid central European vibes. What is the name of their team? Polska! Are they going to shout that several hundred times over the course of a match? Very much so.

14=. Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia

Ranked together to avoid any further incidents. Diplomatic minefield of three former Yugoslavian countries qualifying for the same tournament has become all-too clear. All fond of extremely loud shouting delivered by extremely large men who are usually more friendly than they look. The outbreaks of nationalist nastiness are familiar in Balkan football, but quite contrary to the general good vibes from all three fanbases.

11. Ukraine

An understandable extra edge in their fanbase, and the winning goal against Slovakia was a particularly charged moment. Defiant and proud, and the T-shirt with FCK PTN rendered as the Run DMC logo is a great second option if you are having a polyester-free day.

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