Football is deeply rooted in European culture, and football grounds form a familiar part of the landscape in villages across the continent. Since 1995, photographer Hans van der Meer has documented lower-league matches, capturing not only the game but also its surroundings. Beginning in the Netherlands with the book Dutch Fields (1998) and later expanding across Europe in European Fields (2006), his work highlights the relationship between sport and place. Photographed from fixed, often elevated viewpoints, the scenes frequently show solitary goalkeepers waiting as play unfolds at the far end of the pitch. These quiet moments form a tribute to the remote fields where amateur players pursue their passion, far from the spotlight of the UEFA Champions League.
