Day 19: Once More With Feeling…
Though I have (as a seasoned World Cup Watcher) seen the Spanish national team implode – or simply fade away – time and time again (when push came to shove came to crunch), I very nearly had myself convinced that this, finally, was to be their year…
True to form, however, the great underachievers wilted in the face of an unexpectedly resurgent France (led with great gusto by the old master Zizou), and now face another four years of agonising over what might have been.
While I had, all along, been hoping that the Spanish would make it to the semi-finals (at least), it was hard to resist the pull of a French team who – after being written off as has-beens – delivered a performance of skill, tenacity, and renewed self-belief that defied the pundits' consensus. Spain simply had no answer…and as their nerves failed (and signs of panic began to appear) Zidane produced a moment that showed why rumours of his death have, indeed, been greatly exaggerated.
A characteristic controlled stride into space, a delightful jink past a bamboozled (but otherwise excellent Carles Puyol), a feint that suggested a shot into the far right corner, and finally (deliciously) a lashed, low, reversed drive that fooled Iker Casillas, his club colleague.
8 years on it’ll be Zizou versus Brazil one more time. I can’t wait.
June 28, 2006
4 responses to Day 19: Once More With Feeling…
I was rooting for Spain, but France deserved their win. Brazil will be very interesting.
Sorry Fence,
The reason your comments haven’t been appearing immediately is because I’m filtering out all gmail addresses for moderation.
The reason for that is that the vast majority of spam I receive comes from gmail addresses.
Anyway…I think a lot of neutrals were rooting for Spain but, alas, old habits/failings came back to haunt them.
I found my allegiances shifting as the second half went on, simply because one had to admire the superior “big tournament smarts” of the French. Experience, and cool heads (particularly the cool, bald head of Zizou), won the day.
Fair play to them.
I started out rooting for Spain too, but swung back towards France (a team I have always loved) as the game went on. By the end, I felt terrible for ever deserting them. As soon as Zidane got that ball, I knew he’d score, even though the chance was far from being an easy one. As Brazil have been so unimpressive, to date, I think I’ll be cheering on les bleus in the next round
Moderate away
I’d prefer a delay in my comments appearing rather than a huge amount of spam comments appearing.
Although I suppose I could use a different email addy… and changed.