Local footie fans clamour for clubs

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This article was published 14/06/2021 (1914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s European soccer communities can’t wait for clubs and pubs to reopen.

Fans are eager to cheer on their country en masse while enjoying a few snacks and bevvies as Euro 2020 continues.

Pandemic restrictions have prolonged people’s hopes of getting together at their favourite viewing locations.

“It’s a part of the whole atmosphere,” said Joe Albo, a die-hard Italian fan.

“Everyone is with flags from every country driving around. It’s really nice, but it’s going to be a little different this year no doubt.”

Albo religiously follows his national team and is grateful the tournament is able to take place following the postponement from 2020. He is one of many fans who would typically gather at the Centro Caboto Centre to cheer on the Azzurri.

Tony Pesce, the President of the Italian-Canadian League of Manitoba organizes soccer events at the centre. Before the pandemic, Pesce would bring hundreds of soccer fans to his halls, a goal he hopes to bring back should restrictions ease in July.

“Things being different today, we would’ve had probably capacity in our large hall which holds up to 350 people plus another 100 in our Café 13,” said Pesce.

Typically accompanied with Italian food and beverage, Pesce and Albo are discussing setting up an outdoor projector and have a limited number of people at the centre in July.

“We’re already ready for it and we’re waiting, optimistic and hopeful,” said Pesce.

“It brings the whole community together and it’s raw raw. Just yesterday at the Centro, we pulled out a little bit of souvenirs from the past and they got picked up in a moment.”

While they watch from home, a similar echo of cheer is heard from West Kildonan as Tomasz Bielawny dons his Polska scarf and waits to reunite with his Polish community.

“For Poland we have one of the most passionate fan bases in the world,” said Bielawny.

“No matter what we will always be cheering and there’s a rich history going back to the 60s, 70s and 80s of Polish soccer where we hear stories from our parents and grandparents.”

Bielawny, a former member of the Manitoba Major League soccer team Polonia, used to be the bar manager at Sokół Gymnastic Association on Manitoba Avenue. The association also holds their social hall, a place Bielawny thinks will soon be lively once again.

“I think we change the question from try to will, we definitely will because we are all yearning,” said Bielawny.

“The entire community, we dress up in our jerseys, put on our scarves, they have a huge screen projector, beverages and traditional Polish food is brought, it’s almost free to eat and it’s to get everyone together. I’m sure the feelings are likewise for every community in Manitoba.”

Portugal, the defending champions have a large base of support in Winnipeg. Paolo Cabral, the Portuguese Consul for Manitoba says the soccer tournament unites his home nation like nothing else.

“It is the king of sports and it’s been in our blood since the beginning,” said Cabral. “It unites the people and villages, we go around and become one nation.”

Cabral expects the Portuguese social clubs on Sargent Avenue and Notre Dame Avenue to reopen next month should things improve in the province and is hearing word of events planned in the short future.

“If the team wins, we’ll have a pass by parade with our cars and flags with national colours,” said Cabral.

“We also have camping sites that the Portuguese community own around Manitoba, and I expect that they will be planning an event for people to watch the games outdoors and celebrate.”

The consul says he likes Portugal’s odds to defend ahead of their matchup today against Hungary. They are considered to be in the most difficult division alongside France and Germany.

Elsewhere, Turkish soccer fans in Winnipeg are planning to come together for the first time since the pandemic started as the youngest national squad holds promise for them.

“I believe this is one of the most promising squads we’ve ever had,” said Aykut Güney, a board member for the Turkish Society of Manitoba.

Güney says there has been increased discussion among their WhatsApp group chats to setup an outdoor event for people to celebrate.

“These moments are way better when you’re celebrating with someone or even sad with someone because they lost, those community feelings are the best. I can see it happening in a heartbeat if allowed.”

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca

@JosephBernacki