Euro 2012 - A Clash of Titans
| BettingExpert/Betfair Euro 2012 blog correspondent entry profile |
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| Luis Felipe Naranjo Duplat is a 21-year old Colombian currently studying Social Communications and Journalism at Universidad de La Sabana, at Chía and is the owner of Futboldelbueno.com. |
| Twitter : @futbolbueno |
| Website : Futboldelbueno.com |
Thirty one minutes had elapsed and the match seemed to be in a complicated stage. Not too many chances up until this point, yet a loose ball, which seemingly failed to pose a threat to Phillip Lahm and Jens Lehmann, required only the deft touch of Fernando Torres to graze the net. Thus, as the thirty-second minute of the game elapsed, Spain was defeating Germany for the European 2008 cup, at the Ernst Happel Stadium. With four years now passed since bearing witness to that stunning goal, we see the culmination of the promise of a thriving Spanish side, which quickly thereafter assumed the mantle of protagonist in world football and has dictated its terms ever since.
With time, different players have triumphed and seen glory while lifting the coveted European cup. Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Marco Van Basten, Zinedine Zidane and Xavi Hernandez are amongst the players that have installed themselves in the books of football history as heroes of their time. We now stand here, 52 years since the first Euro was held, and the countdown for its 14th edition begins, anticipation mounting for the piercing blow of the starting whistle in the match between co-host Poland and former Euro 2004 champion, Greece. Naturally, questions rise in the eve of the upcoming tournament. Spain’s stunning form poses the possibility of a successful defense of the cup, a feat which has yet to be accomplished -- with Beckenbauer’s Germany coming closest to doing so nearly four decades ago. So, will Xavi and company be able to perform the seemingly impossible?
After the 2010 World Cup concluded, the whole world witnessed the waging of a war between three football giants. Germany, Holland and Spain demonstrated superiority in the competition and met in the final stages, where only one was able to savor the taste of victory, leaving the runner-ups with a bitter taste and a thirst for revenge. But such a taste and thirst was not for them alone; others that came in as favorites and disappointed their countrymen with disenchanting performances (such as France, Italy and England) shared it. And even aside those countries, there are also those players that seek to prove to themselves and to the world that they can surpass any type of challenge, as are the cases of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, representing Portugal and Sweden, respectively. And even then, it has always been a must for the hosts to have a good performance. It is easy to see then how, out of 16 countries, more than half of them have the obligation of playing well, but there isn’t just enough space for all of them. And maybe there will never be, but that’s what is so charming about this competition.
Not only will we all be able to see football at its finest, but also have a glimpse of what awaits for the world of football. The Euro is, without a doubt, the best way to gauge every single player and nation previous to the World Cup. It is in this tournament were Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” takes place. Losing is not an option, and it is at this time where the words of Pep Guardiola take a lot more meaning:
“If you lose today you will continue to be the best in the world – but if you win today you will be eternal.”
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Nice piece Luis. Certainly stirs the appetite for the upcoming tournament. As is typical for me with international football, I'll be claiming my German ancestry............until the team disappoints me of course. Such a tough group this year.
Stephen: I must imagine that the reason for why you doubt England so much is perhaps the same reason for which I don't have too much faith on France either! In Quarter Finals, they're likely to face heavy-weight rivals such as Italy or Spain. Unlike the other brackets, Netherlands/Germany/Portugal will have, a priori, a much easier match.
Interesting blog Luis and you put across very well how much these tournaments mean to everyone involved. I will be cheering on England but with very little hope in truth!
Great memories from four years ago. It was a great match, indeed. I do love Spain's style, but I hope Germany takes it all. They'll have to be braver than they were the last two times they faced Spain, which is seemingly the only team that has their number. If not Germany, I hope it's the Netherlands; they're due.
Its a bit dissapointing that Belgium did not make it, they have an extremely promising team with players quickly becoming stars in europe-- the likes of kompany, vermaelen, lukaku, courtois, hazard, vertonghem, fellaini! Still, I can't wait! Euro's and Olympics... This'll be a great summer sports-wise.
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My article was re-posted (even without my concern!) in the following link: http://paper.li/Euro2012Tweets/1323693800 :)