EURO 2004
posted by Dick Septic on July 2, 2004
Portugal, the host country, made it to the finals of Euro 2004. This doesn't happen very often, and Portugal hasn't been in the finals of a World Soccer event in ages. I figured it merited a call to Dad.
He told me the entire country has gone crazy. The little Portuguese shop that serves as immigrant community center in Philly long ago ran out of team shirts and jerseys so he hand-painted his own. Hasn't washed it since the tournament began and won't wash it ever if they win.
He's spent the last few years watching my grandmother slowly recede into the haze of Alzheimer's, flying back to Portugal 3 or 4 times a year to be by her side as much as possible. It was good to hear some hope and happiness in his voice.
On Sunday Portugal takes on Greece and we'll both be watching, albeit on opposite sides of the country. I hope they win, but as Dad said, "They've already given me more than I could have ever hoped for."