Soccer SuperFans

By: Markus Stadelmann-Elder, Toronto

Yes, there is an official Swiss fan song

Shakira sings "Waka Waka" - the official song of the 2010 World Cup (I know, I thought it was K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" too, but apparently that is the official anthem of Coca-Cola's 2010 FIFA World Cup program).

Never mind Shakira (or K'naan). Switzerland has its own World Cup fan song. Swiss rock legend Polo Hofer (also known as Polo National and winner of the best Swiss song ever recorded as voted by Swiss TV viewers in October 2006) recorded "Manne, mir blybe dranne" (men, we stay with it).

Here's an excerpt:
Die rote Lybli mit em Chrüz uf dr Bruscht
Und e Stimmig so wie am 1. Ougust
Schuss für Schuss, bis zum Schluss
U gäng vor em andere Goal
Oh, wie mir de jutze, wenn mir de putze
Da git's nüt z motze, mir hei's verdient,  Jawohl !

The red shirts with the cross on the chest
And an atmosphere just like on August 1 (Swiss Day)
Shot after shot, until the end
And always in front of the other goal
Oh, how we celebrate when we win
There's nothing to complain about, we deserve it. Sure enough!

Okay, you got to listen to it. <http://www.blick.ch/unterhaltung/musik/polo-national-zum-mitsingen-145969>

Not everyone in Switzerland likes it - apparently there's quite a debate going. Polo is not that worried and blames the lack of enthusiasm on the bad weather. He says, "It's just difficult with this bad weather we're having."

What I want to know - as I'm sitting here whistling our fan song (darn, it's catchy): Do other teams have a fan song? I asked some of my other soccer fan friends here at work, but none can think of one. But there must be - at least the Italians must have one! I'm really curious now. Do you know any?

Hopp Schwiiz!