Post by Taxigirl on Oct 14, 2003 17:01:59 GMT
Ireland will not be in Portugal next summer and there is no doubt the Irish support will be sadly missed from the occasion and we publish two emails from visitors as examples of how Irish fans are regarded the world over.
Both mails arrived at soccercentral.ie since the 2-0 defeat to Switzerland and indeed the forst one is from a fan of the Swiss.
Hello from Switzerland
In the name of many Swiss soccer fans, a deep regret to the elimination of your team.
But this is sport.
And that's what the Irish fans were all: Very sportsmanlike! Instead of being angry and destroying.
They congratulated Swiss Fans and also enjoyed a little bit with us.
Thank you for your greatness, and "chapeau"!
You guys are always welcome
With kind regards
A Swiss Soccer fan
Ronald
This one arrived from Argentina;
Hi, my name is Diego Abatecola, i live in Argentina, and i follow the campaign of Ireland since 2001. Im a big fan of the team, and of Robbie Keane.
I think he can be one of the best players of the world.
Here, Football is really important, it's the first sport, and people get the stadium full every weekend. I'm a supporter of Boca Juniors, the biggest club here. And my team its all about guts, pride, and we give everything to win.
You are the same. I have never seen something as big as the Irish pride.
I'm proud of you, and knowing that you sang You'll never walk alone, makes my
heart go faster and faster, because i feel the same thing.
A lot of times my team lost, and we sang stronger than when we won, because you have to be there for your players, and you did it.
When you were in the world cup, I remember that you were the team with most
supporters in Japan Korea.
I was so happy when you were through second round, I broke my finger against the door-screaming Goal when Robbie scored against Germany, and that's the feeling you create around your supporters.
I guess that what I'm trying to say its that I'm proud of you, you never give
up, and you make me feel Irish too.
It is my dream that some day i´ll be in Landsowne Road, watching a game right at your side, because you are the greatest fans on earth, with us, Boca Juniors fan.
Thank you Ireland, thank you players, thank you Robbie Keane, and most of
all, thank you fans, because you won today, you sure as hell won.
Diego Abatecola
Buenos Aires Argentina