The European Championship is just around the corner and an entire continent is waiting to experience the football religion. Where it all began. Where it all continues. If England is the home of football, Europe is its cradle: an ancient civilization that has never stopped colonizing the entire world with one of its most precious and universal assets. The Beautiful Game is the irrational soul of Europe, and Euro ’24 is yet another celebration of this symbiotic relationship. We have selected some visual productions that portray this special bond: documentaries, series and films that will show you the essence, extravagance and radicalism of European football. Enjoy.

If we want to understand a sport, or rather, a culture, it is necessary to start from its origins. This Netflix series is a journey into the pioneering years of English football. The nineteenth-century genesis of football is told through historical figures and true events. ‘The English Game’ is not a documentary, but an elegant series that explains to everyone the rise of football in the English and European society.

Football is synonymous with England, and England is synonymous with football storytelling. ‘Gascoigne’ is the Prime Video focus on one of the most controversial and beloved footballers ever. ‘Gazza’ is English DNA applied to football, it is the genius of the number 10 and the irrationality of the terraces. This documentary chronicles his life, as well as his dramatic relationship with alcohol and visceral bond with the ‘Three Lions’ national team-a tricky combination that shaped the iconic Euro ’96 celebration. From generation to generation. ‘Beckham’ is the Netflix production inspired by the life of the ‘Spice Boy,’ David Beckham, the wonderful number 23 who managed to change the image of football forever. Beckham’s mind and emotions are the central themes of this documentary which, inevitably, portrays the former Galacticos participations in the European Championships.

‘Attack on Wembley’ takes us into the illogicalities of English passion, showing us the dark side of the “It’s Coming Home” philosophy and analyzing the desecration of the Wembley sanctuary at the 2020 European Championship final, when all of England mourned the end of a dream, and thousands of fans destabilized public safety before what was supposed to be a legendary match. This special focus is available on Netflix.

Éric Cantona is an image that can both unite and divide the English and French football universes. He still is the United mystical number 7, and one of the most brilliant icons in European football history. ‘Looking for Eric’ is an indie movie about the relationship between Europe and football, but it doesn’t talk about football. The former footballer is a supernatural entity that affects the life of an anonymous letter carrier, showing how football can deeply affects the mind and life of every inhabitant of the continent.

This Cannes-acclaimed film is an extravagant work, capable of interweaving the stereotypes of the European football starsystem with deep social and political topics. Portuguese star Diamantino lives a football fable and a crazy adventure in real-world awareness, where pain and hatred leave no room for the simple football magic. ‘Diamantino’ portrays in a surreal way the instrumentalization of sport in the European national and political system. It’s a fairytale that uses football, and its kaleidoscopic ramifications, to talk about something more – life.

We have to mention the greatest cinematic work inspired by football passion. ‘Fever Pitch’ is not strictly related to the European Championship, but it is a cult film that anyone must enjoy to discover what does it mean to be a football fanatic on the continent. Colin Firth is a professor of Humanities, and he lives just for Arsenal. The film adaptation of Nick Hornby’s literary masterpiece does not criticize the illogical behaviors of this middle-aged man, but understands his reasons, describing the biography-typical of many, many European fans. “We’ll never get over this,” is the most iconic line in a movie that everyone should watch before criticizing any football fan.