I don't actually know what a "power hit" is, but according to ESPN, that was the reason for the television blackout yesterday. Not being able to see the final 20 minutes of the game, including three goals, puts a real limitation on one's ability to analyze the game.
That being said, a few of our things to look for yesterday turned out to be salient. Bassy scored the first goal, and was the main German threat for the part of the game actually telecast. Lehman made an absurd gaffe to allow the first goal. I am not so bothered by how the ball trickled in (though a good goalkeeper stops that shot) because he was in an awkward position with the striker 4 meters from his goal line, but he deserves all the blame in the world for not tipping the original shot over the crossbar and away from danger. Instead of reacting, he just turned around and watched it. You can do that if you are a striker 30 meters from goal, but you can't do that if you are the 'keeper. Comical Jens strikes again!
From the highlights I saw, Rustu is at fault for the 2nd German goal. He tried too hard to command his box, came too far out, and got caught in no-man's land. I could have put that header away. Sweet justice for Klose, who minutes earlier was being disparaged by Andy Gray for his lack of production. I don't know, two goals in two knockout games is not a bad return for a striker.
Finally, could Turkey have lost in any other way? Sometimes I believe the footballing G-ds write a script for the games (similar to the NBA, where David Stern writes the script). First Turkey takes the lead early in the game and realizes after 4 minutes that they don't like playing from in front. Then they equalize late, but compared to their previous games, it was actually an early equalizer. They seem to prefer to wait for the last kick of the game, or at least added time.
If Turkey was going to go out, it had to be in the dying moments, and that is exactly what happened when Lahm popped on the left, played a beautiful 1-2 with a German I couldn't identify and then lashed in a gorgeous strike to win the game. Justice for Lahm, who should have been awarded a penalty earlier in the game. Heartbreak for the Turks. Karma is a naughty girl, Turkey, and the pain you inflicted on the likes of Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and Croatia came back with a vengeance. The g-ds giveth, and the G-ds taketh away.
Congratulations Turkey on being the lasting memory of this 2008 Euro championship. I don't think we will ever forget your desire and never-say-die attitude. You reminded us that a football game is played until the final whistle, and not a moment less. When the Germans are inevitably raising the trophy even though they are no better than the 8th best team in the tournament, we will not just be thinking about how unfair this game can be, but also how inspiring and beautiful it can be as well.
That being said, a few of our things to look for yesterday turned out to be salient. Bassy scored the first goal, and was the main German threat for the part of the game actually telecast. Lehman made an absurd gaffe to allow the first goal. I am not so bothered by how the ball trickled in (though a good goalkeeper stops that shot) because he was in an awkward position with the striker 4 meters from his goal line, but he deserves all the blame in the world for not tipping the original shot over the crossbar and away from danger. Instead of reacting, he just turned around and watched it. You can do that if you are a striker 30 meters from goal, but you can't do that if you are the 'keeper. Comical Jens strikes again!
From the highlights I saw, Rustu is at fault for the 2nd German goal. He tried too hard to command his box, came too far out, and got caught in no-man's land. I could have put that header away. Sweet justice for Klose, who minutes earlier was being disparaged by Andy Gray for his lack of production. I don't know, two goals in two knockout games is not a bad return for a striker.
Finally, could Turkey have lost in any other way? Sometimes I believe the footballing G-ds write a script for the games (similar to the NBA, where David Stern writes the script). First Turkey takes the lead early in the game and realizes after 4 minutes that they don't like playing from in front. Then they equalize late, but compared to their previous games, it was actually an early equalizer. They seem to prefer to wait for the last kick of the game, or at least added time.
If Turkey was going to go out, it had to be in the dying moments, and that is exactly what happened when Lahm popped on the left, played a beautiful 1-2 with a German I couldn't identify and then lashed in a gorgeous strike to win the game. Justice for Lahm, who should have been awarded a penalty earlier in the game. Heartbreak for the Turks. Karma is a naughty girl, Turkey, and the pain you inflicted on the likes of Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and Croatia came back with a vengeance. The g-ds giveth, and the G-ds taketh away.
Congratulations Turkey on being the lasting memory of this 2008 Euro championship. I don't think we will ever forget your desire and never-say-die attitude. You reminded us that a football game is played until the final whistle, and not a moment less. When the Germans are inevitably raising the trophy even though they are no better than the 8th best team in the tournament, we will not just be thinking about how unfair this game can be, but also how inspiring and beautiful it can be as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment