Euro 2012 Starts Today: Top Five Miami Places to Catch the Continental Soccer Clash

Thank the good lord for the beautiful game. And thank the good folks at the many soccer bars in Miami for broadcasting what promises to be an epic clash of perennial futbol powerhouses, Euro 2012.

For the next three weeks through the championship on July 1, superstar players like Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Thomas Muller (Germany) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Fernando Torres (Spain) leave their club unis and million-dollar contracts to play for the pride of their homeland. Seven of the top 10 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will be taking the field to try and determine Europe's soccer king. And we get to watch.

Here are five places that provide the perfect European-accent atmosphere for the big game.

Courtesy of Churchill's

5. Churchill's Pub
Churchill's opened in 1979 with a focus on providing good live music and a great place to watch the game. The latter serves our purpose perfectly, and with reasonably-priced drinks, Churchill's also treats our wallets nicely. The small bar is likely to get packed, so be sure to get there early if you plan on getting trashed.

Courtesy of Playwright

4. Playwright Irish Pub
Along with about a dozen beers on tap, Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant offers soccer fans traditional Irish favorites like corned beef & cabbage and shepherd's pie. With the slogan "Great Food, Great Fun, Great People," Playwright will offer every single one of the 31 games needed to determine Europe's ultimate champion. Parking can be a hassle on weekends during busy South Beach nights, but if you can brave the crowds - this is the place to be.