Without local football games, Egyptian fans have switched to European soccer, Ahmed Morsy reports In the wake of the calling off of the league season following the Port Said soccer tragedy, Egyptian football fans have become even more interested in European football, especially the Spanish and English leagues and the UEFA Champions League. The current Egyptian 2011/2012 season was cancelled after 74 spectators died in a riot following a match in Port Said between Masri and title holders Ahli on 1 February. The Egyptian Cup might also be scrapped due to security reasons related to last year's revolution and the ongoing political instability. "We have no football games worth watching nowadays," Ahmed Karem, a 28-year-old football fan, told Al-Ahram Weekly. "Egyptian football fans have not resorted to European football by force. There are still some Egyptian national team friendlies as well as the Ahli and Zamalek CAF Champions League games but they lack enthusiasm and excitement. "Frankly, Egyptian football fans see foreign football not because of the cancellation of the national league," Mohamed Osama, 29, said. "European football cannot be compared to the domestic one. Thus, we will follow it even if the national league were still being played," Osama added. "When it's about Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munchen, the cafes are always filled with youth. "As friends we meet at our favourite cafe, smoke shisha and have fun while seeing the outstanding performances. We consider it an action or suspense movie," Osama said. When asked, Sameh Mohamed, a 30-year-old who has always been interested in sports in general and football in particular, about the difference between local and foreign football, he said: "Everything is different. "First of all, the quality and techniques of the video cameras bring us the game as if you are there, and the colours are vivid . A single scoring opportunity would be professionally replayed from different angles, giving the audience more details as if we are in the heart of the event. "Moreover, the performance is always brilliant and one cannot miss a single minute. The players are also different; they play the 90 minutes with the same enthusiasm and stamina. Though the atmosphere is challenging and stressful, it is all played within the spirit of sportsmanship," Mohamed added. "I as well as my friends totally forgot all about the Egyptian league owing to the political instability in Egypt and the coming presidential elections. The semi-finals of the UEFA Champions league or the Spanish derby on Saturday can make us forget our troubles even if for only a couple of hours." Regarding the Spanish La Liga, leaders Real Madrid and runner-ups Barcelona both won their respective matches on Saturday evening, 3-1 against Sporting Gijón and 2-1 against Levante respectively, to maintain a four point gap coming in to next Saturday clash in the Nou Camp. Both went behind against the run of play to penalties, and both came back in the second half to win. Moreover, and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 41 goals apiece, share the best scoring record in the history of the La Liga. The Argentine has scored in 10 straight matches and equals the all-time Barça record for goals scored in consecutive matches set by Mariano Mart�n and Ronaldo. As for the UEFA Champions League, the two- day first leg matches of the semi-finals were scheduled to be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the first day, FC Bayern Munchen host Real Madrid, while on Wednesday Chelsea play Barcelona in England. So, within 10 days, the UEFA Champions League holders Barcelona play three games that are the key to success this season: the two Champions League semi finals and Saturday's derby clash with Real Madrid. The two matches against Chelsea stand between Barça and another Champions League final, while the Madrid game will define their chances in La Liga. If the Egyptian public is still interested, Egypt's Ahli qualified to the round of 16 of the Orange CAF Champions League after defeating Ethiopian Coffee 3-0 at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo 10 days ago. Zamalek also qualified for the round of 16 of the same championship despite being defeated 2-1. They managed to advance after an away goal. "Unfortunately, our home games are staged behind closed doors due to security concerns, which adds to the reasons for the below-bar performance of Egyptian clubs compared to foreign football. On the other hand, we can imagine the La Liga and UEFA Champions League action that awaits, all within one month," Karem said.
