Two worlds against the delta virus

By Sigi Heinrich

It's a strange collision of two worlds. On the one hand, there is the illusory world of football, which makes us believe how wonderful everything is at the moment. In Viktor Orban's already extremely strange world, 61.000 spectators were allowed into the stadium in Budapest. Full hut. A superspreader meeting at its finest. The Delta variant is moving up. It doesn't matter. Orban, this right-wing nationalist, ultra-conservative politician who wants to deprive Hungarians of their freedom in order to be able to govern as he sees fit, is ingratiating himself with the offer of full stadiums for the European Football Union (UEFA), which will certainly reward him. In Budapest, the game between Hungary and France was really exciting in the stands. © APA/afp / BERNADETT SZABO

Finally someone who has the courage and sends his citizens into the virus battle without complaining and issuing any regulations. And Hungarian football fans will unfortunately thank Orban in the next election. You will remember that he gave us joy back. To achieve this, their rights are being minimized step by step. And then the Hungarian players also play a draw against France and you almost get the impression that Orban is standing on the sidelines with a stately expression (he copied that from Lukashenko) and is happy about his successful tactical maneuver. The magic word is emotions On television, no matter what channel you watch, you also enjoy it. The magic word is emotions. Finally, finally, unrestricted football celebration again. The UEFA responsible for the images, which controls everything, absolutely everything, sends us images of joy-drunk fans, of masked, painted people who embrace each other at every throw-in by their team. It's somehow a complete state of emergency and it's just an illusory world.

It wasn't real for the English anyway as they only managed a draw against Scotland, which felt like the Bravehearts had just achieved their independence from the crown. And that wasn't all, because the delta variant, which reached Europe from distant and yet so close India, has really become at home in England. Indians make up the largest immigrant group in England (almost two million). Although cricket is more popular than football in India, the European Championship will be influenced by the more contagious Corona variant. The final was to be played at Wembley. As of today, all planned easing measures in England will be withdrawn. And UEFA will not accept a final in front of empty stands. Alternative: Budapest, of course. Lisbon state of emergency And then there was the game between Germany and Portugal. After all, in front of only 14.000 spectators with many restrictions and requirements. The Munich team didn't have the courage to completely stand up to UEFA. After all, you don't want to be responsible if the DFB team fails early due to a lack of support. So you're somehow playing along in this questionable pandemic monopoly. Germany then wins 4:2 and yes, it was a great match. No question. Emotions, including in the team, the coaching staff, the experts and everyone who has to do with football at the moment.

But at some point it came, the real world, the evil reality that tore us out of our dreams if we were even a little sensitive. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is hermetically sealed off from the outside world. Nobody is allowed in, nobody is allowed out. The Delta variant, which doesn't give a damn about victory or defeat, has reached the west of the Iberian Peninsula. Now, suddenly, people are waking up from their football daydream. Was there something else? The news anchor quickly says that the beaches in Portugal are safe. This should reassure us and, above all, Portugal's tourism managers. Ronaldo and his colleagues believe, like too many, that they are definitely on the safe side. Because their next game against France will probably take place in front of full stands. In Budapest. Apparently it's not enough.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Two worlds against the delta virus

In Budapest, 61.000 spectators are allowed into the stadium for the European Football Championship. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich has given his thoughts on this.

Suggestions

Comments (0)