International Flavors for the UEFA Euro Semi-Finals

While few of us may be afforded the luxury of a little midday, midweek football watching, several locations in the city will proudly display tomorrow and Thursday's Semi-Finals matches on the big screens. But, even us wretched 9-to-5ers can celebrate respective victories and losses in style with international options right here in Dallas. Whether it is Portuguese or Spanish, German or Italian fare you crave, we've got some choice restos serving up culturally appropriate dishes to get you pumped over a big win - or to console a devastating loss.

· All Italian Food Coverage on Eater Dallas. [-EDFW-]
· All German Food Coverage on Eater Dallas. [-EDFW-]
· All Tapas Coverage on Eater Dallas. [-EDFW-]

[Photo: Kuby's Sausage House/Facebook]

Spain v. Portugal: Wednesday, June 27 - Start Time: 1:45 p.m. on ESPN 2

Dallas' most literal Portuguese option, a buffet in Carrollton called Casa Portugal, closed with little fanfare in early 2010, and while many of the Brazilian restaurants offer South American food in a similar vein (ah, colonialism), we're talking Old Europe Portugal in this case. Several of the local tapas bars offer in dishes with the right flavors.

If you're rooting for Portugal's Os Navegadores, then Si is your best bet. While technically more of a Spanish restaurant, the croquettes de jamon or bacalo (cod) or patatas bravas (spicy fried potatoes) are reminiscent of España's Western neighbor. Sangria Tapas y Bar, part of the Lombardi Group, will be offering drink specials for the game, as well as wide variety of Mediterranean flavor from all across the region. Fresh seafood and extensive garlic flavors are reminiscent of Portuguese cuisine, so the garlic shrimp, clams & mussels and escargot pot pie provide some thematic options.

However, if Spain's La Roja is more your style, finding Spanish and Mediterranean fusian restaurants in DFW is slightly easier. Café Madrid in Uptown is Dallas' first and oldest Spanish tapas restaurant and an established favorite. Both D Magazine and the Dallas Observer have praised its sangria as some of the best in Dallas. On the other hand, one of Lower Greenville's newest haunts, Matador Tapas opened in late 2011. The Observer's Whitney Filloon says the artichokes in Manchego sauce are the way to go, and she also praises the Spanish hummus with red peppers and rye toast.

Italy v. Germany: Thursday, June 28 - Start Time:1:45 p.m. on ESPN

Slightly more diverse than Wednesday's offerings (and, a smaller chance of running into truculent foes rooting on the other team), Germany's Die Mannschaft is best honored in Dallas with goodies from at Kuby's Sausage House, a meat shop in Snider Plaza, or Henk's European Deli & Black Forest Bakery in Lake Highlands. While Kuby's is primarily a specialty shop, they do boast a modest delicatessen featuring "only the finest cuts of meat, homemade sausages, luncheon meats, gourmet cheeses, and European salads." On the other side of town, Henk's is more of a sit-down experience, but it is best known (and loved) for its to-die-for bakery. Go ahead and order that victory cake; either way, it's good for celebration or solace.

Fans of Italy's Gli Azzurri will, of course, have the easiest time finding culturally-thematic options in a wide range of styles and price ranges. From pizza to fancy pants Uptownery, there are many choices, and you can find all Eater Dallas coverage on Italian Food and Pizza at these respective links. We'd be remiss, however, to not mention a couple of surefire standbys, specifically Jimmy's Food Store and Campisi's. For more upscale options, Zio Cecio Cucina on Lovers is headed by Award-winning Chef Francesco Farris, whose style was called “fresh, rustic, and aromatic" by the Observer. Downtown, of course, boasts Avanti Ristorante, with a "four star" Zagat rating.

Who are you cheering for, and what have we missed? Let us know in the comments below.