Germany that did all the playing and France did all the scoring. France that looked only solid in defense and ordinary everywhere else, feasted hungrily on two errors committed by their opponents to register their two goals and their place in the finals. Germany that looked confident, organised and classy could not break through the French defense except on few occasions throughout the 90 minutes duration of the game.
Now France are poised to win and not even Cristiano Ronaldo, who is psychologically on fire now to reclaim his title of world’s best player for 2016 from Lionel Messi should Portugal win, would be able to stop them.
The France/Germany match was not a classic by any standard but it reminded everyone about football penchant to defy predictions. Euro 2016 has been an absolute treat with most matches very keenly and closely fought, countries once considered minnows and in the championship to make up numbers rising up to the challenge, fighting hard and defeating ordained champions.
Euro 2016 has been a real thriller, a feast and treat, an eye-opener once again for those that have the ‘eyes’ to see beyond the superficiality and shallowness of thinking that a team must win the trophy to be considered a winner. Some defeated countries have welcomed back their ‘gladiators’, celebrating their heroic performances as if they had won the championship.
Here in Abeokuta I have been a part of the global audience enthralled and entrapped in the spirit of the football fiesta in France. The matches have impacted the lives of people in this city. A few minutes to match time the streets rapidly empty of vehicular and human traffic; bars and restaurants fill up with people; loud cheers and boos fill the night in this usually quiet laid back city.
Without question the matches have been providing people temporary relief from the economic and social hardship that has gripped the land. It does not matter that African countries are not involved. People simply take sides and support the teams of their choice. As one team is beaten allegiance shifts to another.
The matches are won and lost and everyone peacefully retires to discussing great performances and defining moments of magic or madness during the matches. Euro 2016 serves as a reminder of the several good and beautiful things around football (and by extension, all of sport).
Read More >>>
No comments:
Post a Comment