Support Spain? Nah, but maybe Russia

Colombian writer, Juan Gabriel Vásquez has a short piece in the Guardian today explaining why British football fans, with no team in the European Championships, should opt to support Spain instead. Most of his reasons concern nonsense along the lines of 'Spain is different' and 'Zapatero likes gays' (apparently this is an appeal to Guardianista sympathies). He also mentions that he lives in Barcelona, and that football is more than just a game here, which is true. What he doesn't mention is that (at least, based on a very unscientific survey of my colleagues and acquaintances) half the people you ask around here won't even be supporting Spain themselves.

There's a minority of people who are calling for a Catalan national team. I don't see any problem with this: the precedent has been set by Scotland and Wales, both of which have their own football associations. Indeed, the two 'biggest' Welsh clubs even play in the English league, just as Barça and Espanyol could play in the Spanish league. Personally, I don't see much point in creating a Catalan football team but I also can't really see any argument  against it. If enough people want it, they may as well make it happen.

I'll probably support Russia this time around as I have an inkling that they may already have it all sewn up.

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