Soccer viewers gather at Corvallis Sports Park for Euro 2008

By Kevin Hampton
Gazette-Times reporter

Fans of just about any team can be found almost anywhere.

Want to root for Spain in the UEFA Euro 2008 soccer tournament? In Corvallis, you don’t have to look very hard to find some friends.

One place to hang out during the tournament is the Upper Deck Sports Pub at the Corvallis Sports Park.

Soccer fans often congregate at the venue for major events. Right now it’s the Euro 2008 tournament, which winds up this weekend.

On Sunday, fans were on hand for Spain’s 4-2 win over Italy in a shootout.

Kasey Carlson said he usually comes to watch the big international games. This time, it was to cheer on Spain.

“I lived in Spain for a year, so I’m a big Spain follower,” Carlson said. “For big games, it’s fun to cheer with other fans. If you can’t be in the stadium, it’s fun to be with other fans.”

Even though the United States is not involved, Carlson said the sport has gained so much popularity through the years that even tournaments in other parts of the world are televised and have a solid following.

It’s not unusual to gather with friends to watch.

“It definitely started underground,” he said. “I think the big networks are starting to realize that they can publicize and market these events better and they are to draw bigger crowds, so I think it’s starting to become more watched in America, not necessarily in sports pubs, but even in homes.”

Sports pubs are a focal point for fans, however. There are popular meeting places in other areas of the country, particularly in large cities.

Adam Peck was there with Carlson to support Spain because as friends, Peck “Has his back.” Peck said he watched some World Cup games in a sports bar in Portland and liked the atmosphere.

“It was pretty crazy,” Peck said. “There were people from the countries and they were kind of going back and forth.”

The relative quiet on Sunday didn’t phase Peck.

“I think it’s partly (to support a team) and partly a social thing. Just kind of being around people and stuff. But I think it’s cool to represent your team or your country.”

While some of the fans spent their time cheering a big play or groaning at a near-miss, Ian Rose sat hunched over his computer, his eyes darting between the game on the big screen and the words scrolling across his laptop screen as he typed.

Rose was on the job as a blogger for WorldCupblog.org.

“It’s different for me because it’s my job,” Rose said. “We’re just about the top-rated blog on the Euros. We have about 2 million visitors a month. So I just sit and watch the games and do commentary.”

Rose could write from home, quietly sitting in front of his television. Instead, he prefers a setting with other soccer fans around.

Loud outbursts are part of watching the sport. Rose enjoys having that extra element and sometimes gets it into his blog.

“I like the atmosphere a little bit better,” he said.

For Adriane Moss, the game was an opportunity to watch Spain in action.

Her grandparents emigrated to Mexico from Spain and eventually the family found its way to the United States.

“My family comes from Spain, so I’m a big Spain fan,” Moss said. “So I don’t necessarily come to every game, but anything related with the Spanish team, I always come.”

Moss likes coming to the pub for the games.

“It’s practical because I don’t subscribe to cable and it is always nice to watch soccer with other people because it is very much a group activity in general,” she said. “It’s more exciting and fun because there are certain things that if I watch it at home, maybe my family might not be that interested. The people here also know the emotional moments. It’s nice sharing that.”