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.

Still Hoping For A Surprise

 
Conroy Maddox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conroy_Maddox

Last night we were switching occasionally between two games, one channel was showing Italy versus Republic of Ireland.

While the other side had the game between Croatia versus Spain, I so wanted Croatia to beat Spain.

Croatia had many chances, as well as many shots on goal sadly they did not manage to get one.

Spain on the other hand got two goals; one was scored by Fernando Torres while the other one was scored by Ces Fabregas, both good goals.

It was very frustrating watching Croatia's wonderful Luka Moderic trying everything to get a goal, and then we took a brief look at the other game.

Italy had got one goal while Ireland had not managed one, then we went back to watch the Spain versus Croatia game.

It was in the second half that it was announced that Italy had got another goal; it was scored by Mario Ballotelli.

It was in the second half that Spain also got their second goal; Croatia had quite a few chances again and sadly missed them all.

Right at the end they had two good last chances that they should have nailed, both times the ball sailed past the goal.

Then they ran out of time and at the end of both games the scores were,

Italy 2-Republic of Ireland 0.     

In the other game it was Spain 2- Croatia 0, which meant that both Croatia as well as the Republic of Ireland were leaving the tournament and going home.

What a shame that teams like Poland and Croatia have left the competition, we are now left with all the usual suspects.

I'm still hoping for a surprise, it would be absolutely wonderful if Greece were to go all the way to the final and maybe even win again.

Well they have nothing to lose and everything to win, nobody thought that Chelsea would win the Champions League but they did.

Come on Greece surprise everybody and win the Euro Football Tournament 2012.

A Positive Attitude.

 

Bienvenido Bones  Banez Jr. 

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

We watched more football last night, there were two games, and the first was between Italy and Spain.

It promised to be a great game, as Spain had won the last European championship in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010 and Italy were rated highly.

The promise was delivered on and it was an exciting game, Italy scored first and Fabregas, the ex-Arsenal striker equalised for Spain.

Fernando Torres, a Chelsea striker came on to applause from the Spanish supporters, at the end of the game the final score was Italy 1-Spain 1

After that there was a brief pause and then the next game started, which was between the Irish Republic and Croatia in Poznan, Poland.

The game started dry but as it progressed the rain started and it was a downpour, players as well as supporters were soaking wet, despite this everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Croatia seemed to have the upper hand when they scored first, Shay Given, the goalkeeper, was wrong footed and tumbled to the ground and the Croatian goal sailed straight into the net.

Ireland equalised, but then a second goal was allowed for Croatia even though it was obviously offside, unnoticed by referee.

Then an Irish player was fouled but this was not seen by the referee, who did not give them the penalty they deserved.

Croatia went on to score their third goal which left very little time for the Irish Republic to score two goals.

There was 5 min extra time added on at the end of the game for injury time, try as they might the Irish team could not manage to get two goals.

The game ended with Croatia 3-Ireland 1, very disappointing for the 25,000 Irish supporters who had travelled to support their team.

Despite the Irish team not winning, I'm sure that their supporters would have had a very enjoyable night and will now be looking forward to the next game.

A great attitude to have, it is always good to move on and get on with the next project, and not remain in the past.