World Cup Fanaticism In Larchmont?

Mid-June: In the Palmer Deli a man with his hands in his apron pockets isn't sure how to answer a question about the World Cup…. "What is it?" "The boat race." a customer informs him. An Italian American taking a cigarette break outside Big Apple Entertainment is not interested in soccer. "Are you asking questions to pick up men?" he asks hopefully and offers his phone number.

At the Larchmont Store, Eric is willing to watch taped replays, but "Well I haven't been staying up all night! We didn't grow up with soccer," he explains. Gary, the manager of The Cellar Bar, concedes that Americans are more interested in the world cup because of this year's strong American team, but "its still soccer…and it's still second or third to baseball and football."…which will always have priority on the TV at his bar. These "American sports." have "a fan base that goes back to their grandfathers" he asserts. Rick at the Larchmont Fire Department concurs. Soccer is "their sport." "We have baseball and football…and others lag behind us in these sports."

Gary and Rick might get some arguments from Danny, a U.S. team supporter at the Music Center on the Post Road. He is disgusted with the lack of soccer coverage on radio and TV "It's all Mets, Yankees." He admits that Larchmont residents are unlikely to run crazy through the streets no matter what the U.S. team accomplishes, "It's not that kind of town." Matthew, just back from college sniffs, ""We are not hooligans."

Over at Starbucks on Palmer Avenue, another soccer enthusiast, Arthur, is "amazed and proud" of the U.S. team. Sam, a 20-something doing sprints in Flint Park, is a soccer player himself and, unlike Eric, he is staying up all night with friends to watch the games live. He suggests a better fan base in the U.S. would help the U.S. team.

Perhaps Sam has in mind more fans like Donna at Electrolux on Larchmont Avenue. "Absolutely!" she is watching the world cup, and she is "excited and thrilled" "Soccer is very popular! Most of the young kids play."

Popular is one thing, passion is another. For over-the-top soccer mania, no one can beat Larchmont's foreign-born residents.

There are truly obsessed soccer fans in Larchmont and they tend to be newcomers to America. Marta and Tony at the Manor Park Deli suggest that Spanish people, like themselves, are the most avid. Peter, originally from Brazil roots for the Brazilians first, but if USA wins, "I'll go crazy!"

Waverly at Lusardis reports "The whole place is watching!" Although they are all a little deflated following Italy's loss, he supports the U.S. team. "We need a little lift in morale." Sam, another ardent Italy supporter, is helping his grandfather at Nickys Pizza. "All my friends are watching the games and I even got to stay home from school one day to watch the soccer!"

No one is staying home in Korea reports Su Hyon Choe at Bernier's Cleaner. "In my country there are 47,000,000 people and they're all watching soccer - not at home, but on huge monitors hung on buildings 200,000 here, 100,00 there. I'm not getting sleep," he confesses. "I tried to sleep last night, but I couldn't. I had to get up to watch."

Emin at Turquoise Gourmet, who is from Istanbul, may not be sleeping either, but he remains extremely excited about the Turkish team. "Back home, they are going crazy!" His face is animated as he prepares a customers order, "They commit suicide for their team! They jump off buildings!"

Alex, a Malaysian working at Hunan's might feel at home in Turkey. He's a crazed England fan. "Because 50 years ago England controlled my country," he explains, now he is brimming with world cup insanity. When he learns he is speaking to a Brit, he can't contain himself. "Bring me a David Beckham Jersey! Ok? Ok?" He ferociously pulls at his hair at the front and flattens it down on the side, "See my hair I am like David Beckham! I am David Beckham! Don't forget my jersey!"

What's there left to do after chatting with Larchmont's World Cup fans? Get off to bed early, get up at 2.30 A.M., and stumble into the TV room to watch the soccer.

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