IO DE JANEIRO, July 6: Soccer fans at the fancy Piraquê club in Rio de Janeiro can’t wait to once again gather at the bar beside a swimming pool to watch great players fight for a major tournament trophy in crowded stadiums while they calmly sip on caipirinhas.
Though the Copa America is taking place in their city, they are actually looking forward to Italy vs. Spain playing on Tuesday to reach the final of the European Championship.
Brazil and Peru were also meeting in a semifinal on Monday but Brazilian fans have been far more disinterested in the tournament than usual. That didn’t change much after the Copa America hosts advanced to Saturday’s decider after a 1-0 win over Peru. The pandemic, the last-minute hosting, some unimpressive matches, and the fact that the most popular broadcaster is not showing the Copa America have cut down the fans’ interest.
“The Copa America is never much fun, but this time even less,” Thomas Castro said as he planned to meet friends for Tuesday’s Euro 2020 clash.
“My mom would never know the Copa is on if I didn’t tell. I watch Brazil at home, but there’s no atmosphere like you see in Europe with fans and all.”
No tourists arriving in Rio would notice there’s a major soccer tournament taking place in the city. There are no banners, no ads, and no anticipation evident, unlike two years ago when Brazil also hosted after years of planning and buildup.
On the streets around Nilton Santos Stadium, one could hardly tell when it has hosted seven Copa matches. The few street carts selling food attract only journalists, staffers, and some locals who are playing around by the gates of the empty stadium.
“I’ve made a few bucks, which always happens during the pandemic,” said Celso David, running a hamburger stall outside the stadium. “This it isn’t much different from other events we’ve done recently. When Brazil hosted the Copa in 2019 it was a little better, more people coming from other countries and Brazilian tourists.”
Brazil agreed to be an emergency host after Argentina and Colombia were pulled as organizers. No fans are allowed in stadia despite the insistence of President Jair Bolsonaro, a critic of lockdown measures. It will be the same at Saturday’s final at Maracana Stadium. (AP)
