Let’s all be Scots

These days, I sit in the stadium every day and experience an intense time. It makes me realise what football does and how its folklore is part of overcoming the many problems of our time.

That brings us to the Scots. They did everything right. They marched through München, Köln and Stuttgart singing. Even in cities where they weren’t playing, they infected everyone with their good humour. Scottish fans really wanted to play a football match against my home club, FT Gern. It took place the day after the opening game and afterwards everyone sat together in the clubhouse until late at night. They used this tournament to celebrate with others. They want to be part of Europe. It’s not just the caterers who will miss them. I’ve been asked what bothers me most about this Euro. I said that the Scots have already gone home.

Participating in the event, sharing in the excitement of victory and defeat, orderly escalation – that’s what every sporting event is about, whether in the arena or on the village square. The whole thing makes us resilient and prevents worse things from happening in the world. That is the calming effect of sporting events. Writers and sociologists say that, I see it the same way. Let’s be who we are, let’s all be Scots!