What an absolutely nail biting match! England VS Italy was a huge game for many expats in Mauritius, whichever team you were supporting, it was something to be celebrated.聽
As a British expat living in Mauritius I have been closely following the Euro 2021 as there's something really special about watching and supporting your home team play from another country in such a big tournament- it's very exciting! The first thing was trying to find somewhere to actually watch the match on a big screen, as most bars are still closed with the restrictions so I decided to find a family member with a huge screen and access to watch the big match.
These huge games bring about a sense of solidarity, community and support for your home country. So wherever you were watching it was an undeniably exciting and nerve wracking match! I must admit I felt really nervous in the run up to the match, my fianc茅 (who is Mauritian) and I made an evening of it, as it didn't start until 11pm Mauritian time. We travelled to his cousins- who is a massive England football fan, in the South of the island had a pre- match curry and beer (very British!) then I greatly encouraged them to allow me to paint the England flag on their face! Which they graciously obliged, we were all full of nerves and excitement during the build up and ready to support England!
Big sporting events always bring about joy, happiness and a very welcomed distraction this time of the global pandemic- something to celebrate and get excited about. It's traditional to gather friends and family grab a few drinks and join in the festivities as you hopefully watch your team catapult to victory.聽
A select few pubs/ restaurants had special licences to broadcast the game, one being The Irish at LA City mall, Trianon. As the game didn't kick off until 11pm Mauritian time it was certainly a late one for many expats and Mauritians! In England it's a big tradition to watch big sporting events in pubs but I decided not to go to a pub as I'm still weary about being in crowds, but being with my Mauritian family watching the match was very special. I was watching my home team England play in the Euros final in Wembley, on TV in Mauritius with 2 Mauritians with the match broadcast in French! You always remember where you were when big national sports are taking place and it's really something special to watch them in another country.
Mauritians have a huge love for football and especially English football teams; you'll often see adults and children wearing Liverpool FC t-shirts and baseball caps. On the day of the Euros final I saw lots of Mauritians wearing England shirts and it gave me such a sense of pride that here in Mauritius thousands of miles away from home in England, and I could feel a huge sense of support and excitement in Mauritius last Sunday- it was amazing! I didn't expect to feel that so greatly but there are also a large number of both British and Italian expats in Mauritius, so the Euros final was widely celebrated on the island.
I was on the edge of my seat during the match, and it's amazing how every other problem/ worry completely goes away when you are so enthralled with such a match! I think that's what we needed a huge, fun, exciting and nail biting distraction, and even though England didn't win in penalties I was so proud of the England team for getting so far, playing amazingly and most importantly bringing a country together in unison with so much joy and happiness after a really tough year. We certainly enjoyed celebrating here in Mauritius! There were lots of stories and videos that emerged after the match- with a small minority of English fans displaying thoughtless behaviour which is never acceptable, the England team has spoken out about how they do not associate or condemn any such behaviour which I think is great. A small minority of people can never take away the majority of people who beautifully supported and enjoyed the Euros; it certainly spread happiness all over the world.聽
With Wimbledon Tennis Championships also taking place it's a great time for expats to enjoy their favoured sporting events, and with so many streaming services available now you can literally bring the world to your living room wherever you are in the world.
Whether your team glides to glory or admits defeat sporting events for expats are a big deal. Especially after all the various lockdowns and restrictions it's a lovely time to just kick back and let your worries disappear into the sport for a few hours. Whether you're an expat who's been living on the island for years or months you always have a sense of pride when your home country is taking part in a major sports event. It connects people and brings people together in solidarity for a few weeks/ months and we all need that.聽
Congrats Italy!
