RIO DE JANEIRO, AP - Soccer fans in Rio de Janeiro's fancy Piraqu club can't wait to watch their favorite players compete for a trophy in crowded stadia. They also enjoy calmly sipping caipirinhas.Although the Copa America will be held in their city, they look forward to Spain vs. Italy on Tuesday to reach the final of European Championship.Brazil and Peru met in a semifinal on Monday, but Brazilian fans were less interested in the tournament than usual.The fans are less interested in the Copa America because of the pandemic, last-minute hosting and some poor matches.Thomas Castro stated that the Copa America is not always fun but this time it was even more so as he planned on meeting friends for Tuesday's Euro 2020 clash. If I didn't tell my mom, she wouldn't know that the Copa was on. Brazil is what I watch at home. But, there's nothing like Europe where fans and all are present.Tourists arriving in Rio will not notice that a major soccer tournament is taking place. There are no signs, ads or anticipation, as there was two years ago, when Brazil hosted the tournament after much planning.Locals call them cariocas. Although they don't strictly follow social distancing guidelines, many cariocas are open to spending time outside their homes and watching the Copa.One could not tell from the street around Nilton Santos Stadium when seven Copa matches were held. Only journalists, staff, and some locals are attracted to the few street vendors selling food near the stadium's gates.Celso David said that he has made some money running a hamburger stand outside the stadium. It is not much different than other events we have done in the past. It was better than the Copa 2019 in Brazil, with more visitors from Brazil and tourists from other countries.Continue the storyBrazil was offered to host an emergency meeting after Colombia and Argentina were removed as organizers. Despite President Jair Bolsonaro's protests against lockdown measures, no fans are permitted in the stadiums. The same will happen at Saturday's final at Maracana Stadium.Rio, as well as the other three host cities Brasilia Goiania, Cuiab, still have restrictions to movement. The Copa America Brazil's biggest obstacle has been its fans. They are unable to attend games and don't want to watch them on TV.Maria Cristina Teli, a housewife asked if it is still on. Sometimes I see the Brazilian championship, but not this Copa America. I didn't see any matches at this time. Are Brazil and Argentina playing each other?Brazil's dominant TV Globo broadcasts some Euro 2020 matches, instead of Copa America. This Copa America is shown on Brazil's third most viewed open channel, SBT. ESPN Brasil is available on cable. The SBT soccer ratings are typically one-third of Globo's. This has been consistent over time.Rios Tourist Area bars are showing Copa America matches and have been permitted by health authorities to remain open late with tables at least two meters apart since May.However, there have not been enough games to attract large crowds. Rio's bars, particularly in the Leblon area, are overcrowded. They don't have TVs, and are full of anxious, flirting youngsters.The organizers hope that some of the gloomy predictions will be changed if the final feature Neymar's Brazil against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Even that could prove difficult.Teli, the housewife, said that yes, I will see if Argentina is played. What channel will it air on?___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer, and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
