Euro 2012. Let's talk soccer!
Hello,
I greet you as an everyday soccer fan who loves the game. Do not mistake me for having “credentials”, but I do have “opinions”!
Hoping to share opinions through the Final match, July 1st.
“What is the Euro 2012?”
Every four years, Europe’s national soccer teams compete for the European championship. It is second, only to the World Cup, as the most prized soccer trophy. ESPN is providing excellent coverage.
My observations after 7 days of EURO:
- Spain: What a delight to watch. I think Spain will win..get ready to party in Madrid!!...again.
- Germany: Having a hot goal scorer, like Gomez, makes Germany the serious contender. I love underdogs, but I see this as Spain or Germany's tournament.
- Dutch Despair: The soccer gods (and I) are smiling. Sweet vindication to those fans who haven't forgiven the Dutch for choosing a brutal kung fu style of play that made the final of World Cup 2010 agonizing to watch.
- Favorite EURO moment: Shevchenko’s two 2nd half goals (55th minute, 62nd minute) and the eruption of the Ukrainian fans.
- Italy: given burial rites before tournament, Italia say's "not so soon!"
- Alexi Lalas as ESPN commentator. His NFL style of boisterous argument clashes with other panelists. Sorry Alexi...I vote you off the island.
What about YOU?
Very interested in other people's perspectives, opinions.
Look forward to watching/sharing the stories to unfold in EURO 2012!
Doug Miner
12:58 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thanks for the blog Mike! You've got me hooked! Can't wait to watch Spain!
Carlos Restrepo
7:49 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
First, thank you for writing about the Euro. I think it would be interesting to bring out the fact that this has been a drama-plagued tournament, from the racism of some to the bloody clash between Polish and Russians fans á la cold-war era. Inside the field, however, most games have been pretty boring draws. I hope the next stage of the tournament is a little more exciting. Cheers!
Mike Schuette
12:08 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Thanks Carlos,
I appreciate your thoughts. I will in tomorrow's entry write about violence, racism and who will survive Group B tomorrow. On the serious topics of violence and race, i will give my thoughts on what i see as the facts (of ugliness), the positive lining in the impact this EURO tournament can be as a beginning towards change, and the US media's rather skewed way of reporting soccer violence. Cheers to you as well!
Jean Whitney
12:14 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Good stuff here! Olé
Ryan Martin
2:01 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Mike — I'm currently eating a cup of elk chili and drinking a Belgian ale at Schlafly Bottleworks while England and Sweden play on the big screen. If this isn't Living the Dream, then I don't know what is!
Mike Schuette
4:14 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Good to hear Ryan! Yes the timezone difference, allows for good excuses for long lunch breaks. Well done!!