Delighting in good soccer in effect means there is little enjoyment to be derived from watching Ireland play. I went hoping they would win but only in the same way that I go to buy a lotto ticket. Losing does nothing to dishearten me. I certainly didn’t share the enthusiasm and disappointment of the excitable crowd in the pub. The roars and shouts, the rushing to the screen when Ireland came close (too infrequent to disrupt the viewing), the exasperation and frustration, the howls and scowls – none of it was infectious as far as I was concerned. Perhaps I passed as a Stoic. Maybe even Stoic City, Peter Crouch, his wonder goal and the quaint looks that invariably come the way of supporters of rare soccer teams.
Declan O’Donkey (as I infomed my son was the collective name for the Irish defence) putting on a green shirt to the sounds of Olé, Olé, Olé doesn’t rouse any patriotic zest in me. I enjoy the trickery rather than the kickery. Even with the benefit of four legs there is nothing more certain than the opposition will manage to put the ball plum through the middle of them.
In the North there was one pub offering free pints for as long as Ireland remained in front during the game. I just love the risk that the entrepreneurial spirit brings out in business people. Now had Spanish pubs done that in relation to Spain staying in front, not one would be left wet this morning. That was one business risk we can rest assured was not taken on. There are challenges and there is business suicide. The Irish pub owner was certainly not for committing hari kari with that offer.
Despite everything being oh so predictable, the former Liverpool and Ireland player Michael Robinson was reported to have annoyed Irish fans with his pre match comments that:
There’s no threat from Ireland. Ireland cannot win this match ... It’s like Muhammad Ali fighting a dwarf. Ireland are going to try to be an irritating obstacle, but if Spain play at 80 per cent of their ability, they’ll thrash them.
Which is pretty much as it happened. Fernando Torres managed to score more in last’s night game than he did in the entire European championships four years ago in which Spain played six games. Seems a case of Robinson stating the obvious. But as has been observed elsewhere, stating the obvious is a service best performed safely when done anonymously and posthumously. The witticism of Tom Stoppard would seem to apply to the Irish soccer world: ‘I agree with everything you say, but I would attack to the death your right to say it.’
Rotten Robbo will now be regarded as a traitor for calling it right. Hardly a new phenomenon in Irish intellectual and cultural life.
Let’s be perfectly honest here Spain have played and are playing the best football for the last 6-8 years that I have seen by an international team ever. Brazil may have been very easy on the eye in 82 but didn’t win; these guys are winning and winning with gusto. I am not surprised that they beat the Republic; they are in a different class completely.
ReplyDeleteIts looks like a battle between themselves and Germany which would be the perfect final for all football aficionados but sure who knows maybe England may spoil the party.
I see they are allowing Trap to continue onto the World Cup. Probably the best thing. Getting them to the Euros was his real success. The team has the spirit but that does not amount to ability. Spain are a very strong team. I didn't fancy their playing in the World Cup. I thought the Germans played the more exciting soccer. But Spain won it and it is hard to argue with success. They were not seriously tested by Ireland and while flowing in patches against Italy did not put in a great peformance. Can't see England spoiling it. The game this evening against Sweden should reveal what depth is there.
ReplyDelete1 of the Irish subs who came on last night hasn't even got a club ! Too many foreigners in the English game has destroyed the home countries. Irish players should look further afield when starting their career. Bill Cullen of Reanult fame predicted Irl would win the euros. Genius! John Delaney still gets paid 400k per annum.
ReplyDeleteWent to west meath yesterday to a wake for a neighbours sister who was taken by the big C whilst she was only in her early 40s-after the handshakes a short prayer,a few words with her family and a cup of tea a few of us went to their local to watch the 2nd half-of the Ireland game-
ReplyDeleteit was like going into another wake,
hushed voices,people not sure what to say and there was also a few tears-but instead of tea we took a few pints-its not a fair world but its the only one we have-
I sat in with a few cans of Draught Guinness, and could not believe my eyes, i have never seen an Irish Team so disorganised ,not having a clue, running from one opponent to another, to me it was like watching a Premier Side playing a non league side, Mc Clean was brought on as sub, i think he kicked the ball about 5 times, the best part of the game was when The Irish and Spanish supporters started singing, "The Fields Of Anthenry" , those supporters done there country proud, more than the team had done for the supporters.
ReplyDeleteSeen the fans starting on Trap this evening. From Ole to hee haw
ReplyDeleteEngland did well last night after having gone asleep once they got the first goal. Even found myself applauding the third goal. Was glad because of Roy Hodgson but that is a team that will be lucky if it manages to get past the quarters. Ukraine will be fired up for their game against them next match. Terry should not be in that team on soccer reasons alone. He is too slow.
ReplyDeleteBit of a farce this evening with the Czechs and the Greeks going through.
ReplyDeleteAM.
ReplyDeleteBit of a farce this evening with the Czechs and the Greeks going through.
Anthony, I got so bored with the Czech-Poland match i switched it over to watch Russia-Greece, and switched back, I missed both goals.
I cant understand why the Polish manager did not put two strikers on and go all out for it, Poland were all out to cripple someone this evening, they never deserved to win ,I fancied Russia to win the final, I could not believe my eyes when Greece scored, funny old game this is getting to be, what next? , English to go top of there group, I am not biased!, but I hope they don't get through, maybe Greece has been offered another 100 Billion from the IMF if they win the final. lol.
Itsjustmacker,
ReplyDeleteit was boring alright. Poland were woeful. I never fancied Russia to win the title but didn't expect them to go out so soon and certainly not to Greece. England should go though but they are good at blowing it.
And out go Holland, deservedly so. Denmark didn't make the cut either but they didn't really deserve to.
ReplyDeleteThe queens corgis are delighted prince Philip is back at the palace...they wont get blamed for pissing on the sofa now.
ReplyDeleteRoy Hodgson has picked so many scousers for Euro 2012 he has more chance of pinching it than winning it,BREAKING SKY NEWS..Polish and Russian football supporters are involved in heavy hand to hand fighting, police are on their way to Belfast city centre as we speak..Spain made over 800 passes in last nights game,the only way England could make that many is if they enter Wayne Rooney on Mastermind
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteRooney apart from the tap in goal looked poor last night. Gerrard was very good. I thought he was long past it. But that is down to watching him with Woeful Wanderers at Anfield. Terry must have thought he was catching a pair of knickers when he made that over the line clearance. But they got a bad call on the Lampard over the line one in the World Cup so it levelled out last night. They could beat Italy. Easier game for them than having to play Spain.
Hoping England beat the Italians here. They would meet the Germans in the semis and that should be a better game than Germany-Italy.
ReplyDeleteClose enough so far Anthony both sides have had chances,although I think Italy look slightly the stronger team.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteEngland have no ideas. Rooney is useless thus far. Italy have been unlucky
So England went out. It would have been unfair for them to have gone through. A lot of fight in England but not much ability
ReplyDeleteThat a cara was an Italian job best team won.
ReplyDeleteItaly gave England a football lesson tonight, if it had not been for the English Backs, they would have been hammered, now its hard to pick the finalists.
ReplyDeleteIts raining so hard here that the satellite signal keeps getting lost; making the watching of the Portugal v Spain match near impossible,its a few minutes to kick off but there seems no let up in this rain,this is monsoon weather JJ must be evil work.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteweren't you just lucky! Would it be possible to sit throuigh another Spanish game? OK they play the passing game but it is such a poor imitation of Barcelona. And the passing game needs a finisher on the end. They have nobody of the explosive talent of Messi. Very boring
Seen the penalty shoot out Anthony cant understand why Ronaldo left himself to the last,Cant see anyone beating the Germans now
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteI hope the Germans win as they play the most exciting football. Spain may be champions but without a Messi type striker they are bland and boring. But I won't be surprised if the Italians spoil the German party this evening just as Spain did in the World Cup semis
Anthony I find it hard to see the Germans going down a cara,agree they are playing not only exciting football but are solid in all positions,cant see any weakness in their side,Italy are going to have to play some really imaginative football and a lot of luck to beat this German team, hopefully the deluge has past and we can watch a hell of a match tonight.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteI hope so. They are exciting. The Sinn Fein choir is in the estate singing God Save The Queen so I hope the racket doesn't spoil watching the game
Oh boy Balotelli,s goal could that be the magic bullet Italy need?
ReplyDeleteThe Germans are in trouble. They are playing the way they played Spain in the semis of the World Cup
ReplyDeleteYeah they are a bit stiff looking,and Italy look the better team at the moment but I still wouldnt write the Germans off just yet
ReplyDeleteWell a cara do you fancy calling Sundays result, I cant see Spain losing but then again I said the same about Germany!
ReplyDeleteMark Lawernson during the Germany v Italy game"Germany need to step on the gas"......Woah Mark.....dont start that again...
ReplyDeleteThe talking point of everyones lips these past few days and indeed the press and tv has been the damage the recent downpour caused,politicians jurnos social commentators experts,all are stumped at what to do about the change in our climate,I think its quite a simple problem really....put a roof on the country!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteI think Italy will do them. Spain pass and pass in circles. Roy Wilkins would have loved playing for them.
Marty,
ReplyDeletegood to see you back. I was thinking you might have put your house on Italy and were looking a new gaff! Spain were just far too powerful for them. The Spanish rose to the occasion and just destroyed them. It is the one really good game Spain played in the competition. Even with the Italian bad luck they were still no match for the Spaniards. had Germany have made it through instead of Italy theywould have suffered a similar fate
Was Pat-n-mick a cara the weather is making sheep shagging a dodgy sport? Spain lifted their game big time and once again showed some world class football..
ReplyDelete