Fútbol: More Than Just a Sport, by Emilia Chapa

One unforgettable experience in Spain was going to the Betis vs. Sevilla fútbol game this past Sunday. The game was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I went to the game with three of my American friends. We all decided that we were Betis fans prior to the game, and for that, I am very thankful because Sevilla fans at the stadium were far from liked. The game was at the Betis stadium, so everyone was covered in the Betis colors of green and white, while only a small section of people supported Sevilla. This was surprising to me because in the United States usually fans from each team are equally represented, especially when both teams are from the same city. However, this game was very different. I learned that it is very common here for people to only attend the games when their team is hosting. The stadium itself was also different than most stadiums I have been to. There were no TV screens to watch the game, all of the focus was solely on the field. I loved this aspect of the stadium because I feel that in the USA it is very easy to stay at the concession stand for 30 minutes and watch the game on the TV screens. Having all of the attention on the field emphasizes the connection and passion Spaniards have for the game and allows you to never disconnect from the live action.

Throughout the game, my favorite thing to do was to observe the fans. When Betis scored the excitement was beyond dramatic; people would jump up in the air, hug one another, and occasionally do the sign of the cross. When Sevilla scored, the Betis fans looked absolutely defeated. I saw many grown men crying, something I have never seen at a game in the United States. This expression of emotion is something we talked about in class on Monday and seeing the cultural differences of reactions when comparing the USA and Spain I was shocked to see such a difference. This is because in many ways our culture regarding expression of emotion especially when looking at gender roles seems similar at the surface level. I think the extreme emotion showed the importance of fútbol in Sevilla and represented how it is more than just a sport in Spain. Betis from my understanding rarely wins, yet the stadium was full of fans hopeful and invested in their team. This experience was unforgettable, and it helped me understand the importance of fútbol in Spain.