Illusion And Make-Believe

 

Goncalo Ivo

Pano de Costa, 2009

 

Yesterday was the final of the Euro 2012 Football Tournament, it was between Italy and Spain, the winners of the 2008 Euro as well as the 2010 World Cup.

We were hoping for another wonderful performance from Italy, like the one against Germany, where Mario Ballotelli scored two great goals in the first 15 minutes.

Which set the tone for the entire game, and Italy beat Germany 2-0, we were both hoping for such a performance last night.

While Italy did force Spain to play differently for the first half, it also meant that it was difficult for them to keep the ball as Spain constantly took control.

During the first 15 min of the game David Silva headed in a goal and within another 4 minutes Xavi Hernandez had made it two, well before half time.

Italy had played well during the whole tournament but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when their third substitute Thiago Motta suffered a hamstring injury within minutes of coming on.

It left Italy with nobody else to bring on, so they had to play on with 10 men, which left them vulnerable.

Fernando Torres got the third goal followed by a fourth from Juan Mata who scored within minutes of coming on.

Spain could have scored more goals, but fortunately Buffon Italy’s great goalkeeper saved the others.

It was very sad to see the disappointed Italian team at the end of the game, the Spanish team and supporters on the other hand were jubilant.

How typical of these tournaments to produce surprises, like Spain winning the tournament for the second time.

I hope another team wins next time to keep the Euro tournament interesting, it would be dreadful if it always was the same few teams who won every time.

It would feel like the illusion of our democratic elections when it is always a matter of choosing one of the same parties each time, not a real choice I think, just make-believe that we have the ability to choose freely.

A Good Attitude

Bienvenido Bones  Banez Jr. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bienvenido_%E2%80%9CBones%E2%80%9D_Banez,_Jr.

Yet another exciting football battle between Italy and Croatia, in Poznan, Poland, both sides were not prepared to give an inch.

The Italian team had many more attempts on goal than the Croatian team; the Italians were doing everything to prevent the Croatians being able to play.

It seemed as if would go to half time without a goal being scored, but it was such a tussle for control of the ball between both sides.

Finally after 38 minutes of the game Italy scored a tremendous goal, then Croatia put on quite a fight but failed to get an equaliser before the whistle blew.

When they returned for the second half they resumed the play great vigour and determination.

Despite the Croatians best effort, they still had not managed to get a goal and it was 65 minutes into the game, in the 71^st minute that Croatia scored.

It was now 1-1 which well-deserved, they resumed their battle but neither side got another goal so it was a draw.

The next game was between Spain against the Republic of Ireland, it became obvious quickly that Spain were miles better than Ireland.

Spain had the most possession of the ball and they spent the majority of the first half passing the ball to each other much to the frustration of the Irish team.

Every time an Irish player managed to get the ball it was taken off him again sometimes within seconds.

Spain seemed to be in total control of the game sidelining the Ireland for a large part of the game.

Even Robbie Keane who has a great reputation as a footballer could not manage to play well because he was being marked so well by his Spanish counterpart.

Fernando Torres scored the first goal in the first half, then they went off at half-time and when they returned David Silva scored another goal.

The Irish team was still doing everything they could to get a goal but again every time they got the ball immediately lost it to Spanish player.

Suddenly 60 minutes into the game the Irish players were trying to build up momentum in order to achieve a goal.

For awhile it seemed that maybe they could possibly get a couple of goals, especially as suddenly they didn't seem to have a wall of red around them.

It didn't last for long as the Spanish players were soon all around them again and worse was to follow, Torres scored another goal his second.

Then he was replaced by Ces Fabregas, who used to play for Arsenal and has now moved to Barcelona, he came on and scored a goal.

There was now no way that the Irish team come back from that and score four goals in the short time left before the game ended.

The game ended with Spain 4- the Republic of Ireland 0; Spain will almost certainly be going through to the next round.

The Irish Republic on the other hand we have to win against Portugal when they play them in order that the chance of remaining in the competition.

Despite everything the Irish fans showed their support all the way through the game singing for their team, I'm sure they will enjoy themselves after the game, they will probably join in singing with the Spanish supporters. 

For the Irish supporters the glass is always half full, a good attitude.