From Arsenal to the Ball God

On this day, the Warsaw National Stadium, which can accommodate 58,000 spectators, was bustling with excitement.

The stadium was divided by Polish fans in red and white jerseys and Greek fans in blue jerseys, apart from a section with a mix of jersey colors, which was the players’ area and neutral fans’ section.

”CCTV!

”CCTV!!”

In the live broadcast booth, the voice of CCTV commentator Liu Jiayuan was powerful and solemn, ”The grand event of the 2012 European Cup is about to begin! What you are seeing now is the live opening ceremony of the European Cup!”

”We see a giant blue curtain unfold, followed by dancers in various Polish and Ukrainian national costumes appearing on the field! And models of the major stadiums hosting this event!

”Oceana’s ’Endless Summer,’ as the theme song of the event, resounds throughout the stadium! It feels like taking us back to the 2008 Austria-Switzerland European Cup! Bringing us into the feast of football!”

On the field, three large groups of dancers and four smaller groups began to converge and mix, with dancers wearing different colored clothes representing different national cultures, linking arms to dance joyfully.

While expressing themselves, they also expressed that the language of football is universal, allowing anyone from different cultures and languages to feel the same joy and passion in this sport!

”There are many synonyms for football.”

Liu Jiayuan’s voice continued to ring, with a sense of excitement, ”Some say it is the sport most akin to war, others say it is a bridge connecting different cultures, a belief across generations, a spiritual sustenance, and power!

”But I think no matter what people say, they point to only one thing, that this is undoubtedly the world’s number one sport!

”Therefore, when the European Cup, a quadrennial event that represents the highest level of continental competition in the world, arrives.

”It will definitely attract the attention of all parts of the world and become the most popular event in recent times! No other event can match it!”

”...”

”As the camera zooms in, we can see dancers of various heights and sizes, their moves not fully synchronized, appearing somewhat chaotic.

”But they still come together, helping us open this European Cup!

”Isn’t this what football is?

”No matter your body type, whether tall or short, whether thin or strong, you can find your place in this sport! Fulfill your value! Pursue excellence!

”There are about 800,000 teams regularly playing matches on this planet, with over 40 million registered football players!

”And if you include enthusiasts from all over, the number would be even larger!

”And among them, the most outstanding individuals have now gathered at the European Cup stadium, ready to compete for the best of the best!!”

”...”

”Fervent Polish female fans rushed into the field, raising their hands high as they ran, feeling the joy and passion this event brings them in the summer!

”Following the opening ceremony, the match between Poland and Greece will kick off as the opening match!

”Their most proud and beloved forward, Lewandowski, will wear the Polish jersey to play for them!

”Perhaps in the entire European Cup, Lewandowski is not the most outstanding or famous, but to the Polish people, he is special!

”If you go to Poland and ask their children what they want to be when they grow up... their answer might only be one, and that is Lewandowski!”

”...”

”Now appearing in the shot are the Ukrainian fan representatives! They confidently and boldly take photos with the mascot! I think their feelings are the same as the Polish people’s!

”As one of the hosts, they also have a football star whom all Ukrainians are proud of... Nicknamed ’the Nuclear Warhead,’ the Mr. Golden Ball of 2004, Shevchenko!

”He will captain, representing Ukraine in this grand event at home!

”What kind of glory and splendor is that, we do not know, but we can look forward to it with the Ukrainian people, to see where the 36-year-old Shevchenko will lead this team this year.

”His team is grouped with France, Sweden, and England, which means he will be competing against young talents like Ma’el and Rooney!

”This is very challenging, very difficult, and we hope he can overcome his age and lead the Ukrainian team to change their destiny!”

”...”

”Alright, as two distinctive mascots appear on the field, the opening ceremony is entering its finale!

”Let us look forward to the upcoming match and hope it will be a spectacular game! I am Liu Jiayuan, and I will be bringing commentary of this event to Chinese fans along with He Wei, Huang Jianxiang, and Su Dong!”

”...”

On the VIP stand of Warsaw National Stadium, the entire French team stood up, clapping their hands excitedly.

Their emotions were fully immersed in this fiery European Cup summer, and several players participating for the first time were trembling with excitement.

This even included Ma’el and Deschamps, although they had seen many large events, one was playing in a continental competition for the first time, and the other was leading a team in a continental competition for the first time, the feelings must be slightly different.

Moreover, as players who have been winning since the start of their career, and as a coach who has almost won the Grand Slam in their playing career, their mentality is different from others.