Euro 2024 watch parties buzzing in Ottawa
From living rooms to pubs to TD Place Stadium, thousands of people in the nation’s capital took in the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.
Daniel Walsh prepared the Senate Tavern on Bank Sunday morning, to welcome the onslaught in the afternoon.
"I think I have about 180 people reserved in the books already," the general manager said.
As the UEFA European Championship kicked off at 3:00 p.m. EST, sports bars across Ottawa quickly filled with soccer fans ready to cheer on their heroes on the other side of the sea.
"It's a different type of crowd for sure, especially the England fans," said Walsh. "They like to get a little bit rowdy, but it's done in a respectful way and it's always a blast here."
Meanwhile, more than 600 people made their way to the TD Place field for Atlético Ottawa's first ever-viewing event of a championship game. Visitors sat on the turf to watch the action on the jumbotron – a unique experience for fans.
"The atmosphere, the people, the drinks, the food. It's much better than staying in your basement watching a game," said Ottawa area soccer referee Jeffrey Neto.
"The energy, the big screen, and being here with my family - it's pretty nice," said young player Hank Deagle.
There was some friendly chastising between Spain and England fans. Some were unable to remain seated during the game's prolonged opening, waiting with baited breath to see who would take the lead. An enormous cheer erupted when Spain took the first goal shortly into the second half.
Atlético Ottawa midfield player Ollie Bassett says it has been heartwarming to see the love for the sport grow in Ottawa.
"It's obviously good for our league because it draws more eyes and more attention to the stuff that we're doing on the pitch," he said. "It's positive and hopefully it can keep going."
Spain claimed the win 2-1 Sunday evening. An official Spain watch party at Lowertown Brewery spilled out into the Byward Market following the victory – fans celebrating the now four-time European champions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader laments 'agents of chaos' in precarious Parliament
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.