You may remember me commenting on the unhappy plight it is to support England when they play soccer (except against Australia of course). This mainly came about because I like to support someone in the World Cup, and I know the only way Australia is ever going to qualify is when the Oceania winner gets a direct entry. Note: doom merchant though I am, I of course will support them right up until they lose the playoff against the 5th-placed South American side
So I lamented England's uselessness, but this morning I honestly thought I may have to eat my hat, as it were, and happily so. England were 1-0 up against France in the opening game of their Euro2004 campaign. Sure, they may not have deserved the lead, but they had it, and at 90 minutes, with only 3 minutes of extra time remaining, it looked like they had it in the bag. This despite the fact they should have been 2-0 up, but Beckham missed a penalty in the 72nd minute.
Alas, good English lads gave away a free kick, which Zinedine Zidane sliced wickedly over the wall into the left corner as England 'keeper David James stood back and watched.
1-1. Alright, so they'll come away with a draw, right? Steven Gerrard (why, Stevie, why?) backpasses to James, who spectacularly takes Thierry Henry out trying to clear the ball. Penalty. Step up Zidane. 2-1. Game over. Thanks for coming ladies and gentleman.
I don't actually think England are completely useless. They're just not finishers. Two goals conceded, in the 91st and 93rd minutes, to lose the game. Fantastic.
the earley edition - Posted by Dave @ 6/14/2004 07:22:00 am || ||
