…at least for a while. As I am posting this video, the final minutes are ticking away in the Euro 2008 semi-final match between Russia and Spain, which looked much more like a replay of the stinging defeat suffered by Guus Hiddink’s squad two weeks ago. Up until tonight, however, Russia was basking in a long series of victories, from Zenit St. Petersburg to Eurovision up to the defeat of the formidable Dutch team in the quarterfinals. I was also pulling for the Russians, and share that devastating feeling of disappointment. Nevertheless, the semi-finals of the Euro Cup is nothing to sneeze at. However, an important notice to Spain: We could be predicting a very cold winter in Madrid, especially if Gazprom seeks revenge for this defeat by cutting off the flow of oil and gas to the Iberian peninsula – Mazeikiu Nafta style…
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5 Comments
It was much worse this time because (a) Russia didn’t score a single goal and (b) Russia had already played this team so it knew perfectly well what it was in for.Eurovision? Zenit? You must be kidding. As is so often the case, Russia has blinded itself to reality by imagining it had achieved great things rather than actually doing them. The only reason these pathetic events look impressive is because of Russia’s long history of spectacular failure. And Russia is less and less able to see that reality and reform, just as was the case in Soviet times.Russia huffed and puffed about how it was a new team, different from the one Spain previously crushed with ease, and then it went out and lost in an even more humiliating fashion. And let’s not forget that Russia bet tiny Netherlands (is that really so impressive) by using their own coach against them. Perhaps Russia should have a Russian coach before it claims to be a Russian team?When will they ever learn?
Balderdash.Should American women’s gymnastics success at the ’84 and ’96 Olympics be dismissed on account of a certain ethnic Hungarian coach from Romania. On a related note, Russian coaches have either coached, or are coaching top American athletes in sports like gymnastics and figure skating.I’m glad to see the Russian soccer team receive a nice welcome back in Russia. They achieved a good deal at Euro ’08.BTW, the Russian team at Euro ’08 was the youngest and had the most players, who play in their country’s domestic league.Regarding Guus Hiddink’s Dutch nationality, some collectively and incorrectly call Russians “xenophobic.” Upon utilizing foreign know-how, some will belittle Russian achievements in a rather two faced way, relative to what’s happening elsewhere.If I’m not mistaken, soccer mad England recently had a non-Brit as its national soccer coach.
Second attempt in an edited version.Should American women’s gymnastics success at the ’84 and ’96 Olympics be dismissed on account of a certain ethnic Hungarian coach from Romania? On a related note, Russian coaches have either coached, or are coaching top American athletes in sports like gymnastics and figure skating.I’m glad to see the Russian soccer team receive a nice welcome back in Russia. They achieved a good deal at Euro ’08.The Russian team at Euro ’08 was the youngest and had the most players, who play in their country’s domestic league.Regarding Guus Hiddink’s Dutch nationality, some collectively and incorrectly call Russians “xenophobic.” When Russia utilizes foreign know-how, some will belittle Russian achievements in a rather two faced way, relative to what’s happening elsewhere.If I’m not mistaken, soccer mad England recently had a non-Brit as its national soccer coach.
“tiny Netherlands”???Holland are, and have historically been, one of the world’s strongest footballing nations.
I agree with you Andy – the Dutch have been historically strong, and this year was certainly no exception. The Russians played a brilliant game to defeat an incredibly talented team. It was a hell of a victory.