Euro 2024: Food fights take over tournament as fan bases take digs at national dishes

Bryan Murphy

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Euro 2024: Food fights take over tournament as fan bases take digs at national dishes image

Euro 2024 is all about the battles on the pitch. But the competitive spirit is not just limited to the field.

The best nations from Europe are competing for the right to be crowned the champions of the quadrennial competition, which features 24 national teams going head-to-head for the title.

The crowds at the Euro 2024 are also getting into it, with the fans of each nation electing to go head-to-head in their own competition: a battle of the best foods. 

Fans from a multitude of nations are taking digs at their opponents on the pitch — by way of their stomachs. Signs from the fan bases of certain countries are taking shots at their adversaries while their respective teams go to war on the field. 

Here is more to know about the food fights going on between fan bases at Euro 2024.

MORE: Euro 2024 schedule and results

Food fights at Euro 2024

Euro 2024 is one of the most competitive tournaments you will find in the soccer realm, as 24 countries battle against one another to be crowned champions of the continent.

The fighting is not limited to the matches themselves. Fans have taken it upon themselves to throw jabs at their opponents in the stands — and the focus is all about food.

There are no physical food fights going on in the bleachers. While elementary and middle school students may elect to take part in battles by throwing vegetables and protein at one another, there is no actual food being tossed in the crowds. Instead, it's a war of words at Euro 2024. 

MORE: Who will win Euro 2024? Latest odds and predictions

It all started on the first Saturday of the tournament, when a sign was spotted among the Switzerland faithful that stated: "Fondue better than Goulash." It was a shot at Hungary, who the Swiss were playing against that particular day, and the one of the patented meals served by Hungarians.  

That domino resulted in a plethora of others falling, resulting in a culinary conflict. Since that first signage was seen between Switzerland and Hungary, a number of other nations have elected to declare their foods better than their opposition.

There are worse ways for fan bases to go about attacking counterparts. And the signs have spread across a multitude of matches, including Italy vs. Albania, Poland vs. Netherlands, and Austria vs. France. 

While these attacks may resonate within certain members of the audience, it is about as innocent of a way as possible to take a dig at the opponent during a soccer match.

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.