Entertainment - Soccer

    In Europe, soccer is regarded not just as a part of life, but for many as a way of life because of how important it is to community and friendship. Soccer brings entire cities and countries together because it is a game that is full of and elicits passion, emotions (both happy and sad), and relationships not only from and by the players but the fans too. In a city like Berlin, which was once divided not only physically but culturally, soccer is an avenue for unity and shared interest. 

    There are two main teams in Berlin, Hertha FC, and FC Union Berlin, and both of these teams compete in the Bundesliga. Although the favored and higher-level team is Union (recently becoming very good), Hertha FC does have loyal supporters. When the Berlin Wall first came down, these two teams had a friendly match that attracted around 50,000 fans! Today Olympiastadion Berlin (used for other events such as concerts and the 1936 Olympics)where Hertha plays holds around 75,000 people and Union's stadium, Stadion An der Alten Försterei, holds 22,000 and is usually sold out on game days. Both of these teams garner many enthusiastic fans throughout the year and it is an ode to how important and valuable soccer is in the life of Berliners. 

    Here in Berlin, I am currently playing on a soccer team called Berolina Mitte which is about 15 minutes from my apartment. I found the team through an old William Smith teammate who lives in Berlin. The girls are around my age and are very welcoming and kind. The practices are entirely in German and my teammates are very open to speaking German which me and helping me understand what we are doing. I have learned a few words that they use a lot during practice:

1. Unbedingt: meaning regardless of any obstacles, under any circumstances - used when someone scores a goal by giving it their all

2. Weiter: means more, continue, further - used by defenders to get their team to keep pressing or not giving up

3. Druck: this means pressure - it is used when you pass the ball to your teammate who has a defender near them so they know to pass the ball back

4. Durch: this word means through - it is used when you want the ball to be passed through two defenders to you 

    I was able to experience the excitement and community brought about by soccer on International Womens Day when my team went to an event at the Adidas Sports Base in Berlin. The event was a 5v5 tournament with around 12 teams and each team was representing a different club team in Berlin that they play for. My club team split up into two teams of 7 and I was excited a lot of us were going to be there because it was a chance to get to know them better. The day started in the morning and Adidas supplied every player a whole uniform and other gear that we got to keep! We all got to run out on the field and were introduced and cheered for by the spectators.  Each team played a few games and then there were playoffs and a final. Unfortunately, my team did not make it to the finals but we had a lot of fun playing in the games because the crowd was energetic. There was an announcer on a microphone commentating the event who was very into it, there were DJs playing music, and a lot of media personnel taking pictures and videos throughout the day. Each player also got free food and drinks from the food truck and we could hang out in the main room that had couches and tables. The coolest thing was the panel held in the middle of the day where some famous soccer players, influencers, and other cool people were interviewed and all of the players got to watch, It was entirely in German so I did not understand much of it but it was a good opportunity to practice my listening skills. The event was all about the players and celebrating women's accomplishments in sports. Everyone there was so excited to be there playing soccer. 

    I have not experienced an event like this in America. Although I have been to countless soccer tournaments, I have not experienced something of this caliber that celebrates both sports and women at the same time. Sure America celebrates women in sports a lot but the media personnel and services (free clothes, food) to the players were something I have not experienced before. There are events like this in America but usually, they are for players of higher caliber or for famous athletes. This event celebrated just the "average" soccer players of Berlin (saying this to show that not just famous or outstanding people are celebrated here in Germany, but everyone) and it was really fun to feel special for who I am. At tournaments or soccer events in the US, there are usually so many people there and it is easy to get lost in the crowd and feel small. The Adidas Sports Base was a more intimate setting and it was easy to tell that a lot of time had been put into planning and organizing the day so we could all enjoy it. I think being in a big city makes it easier to attend cool events like this because there is a "sports base" and more funds and recourses are able to be put in. In the town where I live in Maryland, there is less likely things like this happen because companies do not have bases in my town and there are also fewer soccer teams and therefore a lack of a tight-knit community. There are too many other sports people are involved in (lacrosse) for there to be as much excitement around soccer in the US as there is in Germany.  

    Overall I really enjoyed this experience and seeing how soccer has the ability to bring together a lot of people and give them a memorable and special day.