EURO 2004
Football
England played well, Portugal played
marginally better. England played with great determination and stamina
and excellent behaviour. They deserved to win on that score even though
Portugal was the better team technically. However, a poor decision by
the referee was probably the deciding factor. I say probably, as you
can never tell what the reaction would have been of the two teams if
the goal had not been disallowed. Portugal might have scored again -
though the English defence was extremely good under pressure and they
had been under more pressure during the game than had Portugal.
But there is no reason to feel depressed about this. It's a game, and
no harm is done by playing well and losing to a great home team.
Personally I am proud of our team and still happy that Portugal won. I
hope they go on to win the final. The ref will have a hard time though
for overruling his linesman and
getting it wrong. What is
depressing is being told by TV commentators and news readers, even
before the match that, if we don't win, the whole country will be
miserable, depressed and ashamed and even industrial output will
suffer. What is all this bollocks about! Only one team at a time can
win these international competitions. Why should it be more important
to any one country than any other? Great games well played, exciting
matches to watch, an edge of the seat experience, what more can we ask
of the teams?
UPDATE JUNE 25
The above was written straight after the match. Now they have shown the
slow motion replays, it seems the ref was right anyway by accident.
There was no pushing but the goalkeeper was restrained when he jumped
for the ball.