Euro 2008: A truly Multi-Cultural Event

When Lukas Podolski scored two goals in Germany’s opening encounter against Poland his heart showed mixed emotions. He was happy for leading his german-team to a comfortable victory against Poland. But deep inside he was little sad for scoring goals against a country where he was born. Podolski, certainly, did not celebrate his two goals and this is what he had to say, “Of course I have mixed feelings. I have a large family in Poland. I have to respect the country”.

Infact, Germany is not the only country to have played from mixed nationalities. Portugal has relied on Brazilian’s Deco and Roger Guerreiro to take it across to them Euro 2008 semis this year.

Germany and Spain are the two countries who have selected Brazilian players Kevin Kuranyiand and Marcos Senna respectively. France has always looked upon it’s former colonies for football talent. Les Bleus have Patrice Evra (Senegal), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Cameroon), Patrick Vieira (Senegal) as some of their popular imports. If we look at the non-European-born players then they can be easily placed into one-squad with five substitutes and six reserves.

Purists say that its good for the game. Some also opine that it is a cause of worry when teams do not feel players from their own countries. What are your thoughts on the influx of players from different nationalities in this edition’s Euro 2008? What sort of emotion do these players go through while playing against their countries of origin/birth? What do their families feel about it? Do drop in your comments about that

Talking about football players don’t miss out the celebrity family trees of famous football players Zlatan Ibrahimović, David Beckham, Michael Ballack and Gianluigi Buffon. For family trees of other celebrities please visit our celebrity trees page.

Posted by dsharma in Culture, Family trees, General | Trackback |