BLOG POSTS ARCHIVE - June 2008
Posted Jun 30th 2008, 4:56pm
Spain finally make talent count
The age old question of Spanish potential being fulfilled was finally answered last night after a comprehensive defeat of Germany in the Euro 2008 final.
The scoreline may only have read 1-0 but the difference between the sides was insurmountable. Spain completely outclassed the leggy, mediocre Germans and should have cantered home by three goals. The Spaniards have been the overwhelming success story from an excellent tournament. The only shame was Germany’s undeserved appearance in the final. The Croats defeated them and would have done so again had they got the chance. The Portuguese had an off day but only lost to them after gifting them two free headers from set pieces. And the Turks’ second string totally outplayed them and only poor finishing let them down.
The final would have still gone to Luis Aragones’ deserving winners but the competition was denied the classic finish it merited.
In Casillas, Fabregas, Senna and Torres the Spanish had the best spine of all the teams. The rest of their squad backed them with outstanding performances and a unity too often absent from the perennial chokers. The win over Italy on penalties was a breakthrough and one that would have gone against them in previous years. Not this time and they look well placed to dominate the global stage for the next six years and beyond. South Africa 2010 already looks the ideal setting to underline their status as a world class team.
Posted Jun 19th 2008, 5:31pm
Woods reaches new heights
Tiger Woods has always been a phenomenon but he surpassed even his own standards at the US Open this week.
Winning his 14th major on one leg with a fracture of the left fibia was nothing short of miraculous. You just knew that he was going to grind out the win despite twice going up the final hole trailing by a shot. He just has this sheer brilliance to lift himself even when not on his game. The double bogey at the opening hole on Sunday could have easily ruined his championship. But he regained composure and refused to be beaten keeping his record of winning every major when in front going into the final round.
If he had been fully fit it would surely have been a procession to the title for the greatest golfer of all time. The truth is he is so far and away ahead of the rest of the field it is absurd. You can call them his rivals but he has created a one-man show over the last 12 years.
His long term injury and absence from the Open, USPGA and Ryder Cup is a monumental blow to the sport. But the risk of losing him indefinitely is far graver. The hope is the superstar makes a complete recovery next year and resumes his express train towards breaking Jack Niclaus' major record of 18. It would be a travesty if he was denied this historic achievement due to injury.
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Posted Jun 2nd 2008, 5:33pm
Dallaglio bows out at top
Lawrence Dallaglio's final match for London Wasps was a deserving way to bow out.
He will not be saying goodbye to Wasps as he starts his new role as associate director at the club next season. But for 81,600 fans it was one more chance to pay homage to the gladiator leaving his arena. This giant of the game just does not know how to go out quietly.
Winning the Guinness Premiership title at Twickenham was the right way to finish a magnificent playing career. It put the seal on his unrivalled success at Wasps during the last eighteen years.
The 35-year-old has won the lot during his love affair with the club. Two Heineken Cups and five domestic titles reflects the golden relationship between him and Wasps.
Dallaglio has openly admitted he is not the most talented player around. But his strength of character, the ability to cope with adversity, has seen him surpass so many more gifted individuals.
His personality has guided club and country to the highest honours. His leadership has galvanised others when all has seem lost. And his will to win has rubbed off on teammates as Wasps recovered from the lower depths of the Guinness Premiership all the way to Saturday's historic occasion.
advertisementThroughout the build up to the final and after the champagne had flown, Dallaglio always insisted it was not all about him. And his dedication of the victory to the retiring broadcaster Alastair Hignell, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was a brilliant gesture.
Wasps are an all conquering team on the pitch but cleary have plenty of work to complete off it. A new stadium and better facilities are just two of the targets they are starting to focus on. With Dallaglio leading the way you get the feeling the job will get done.
Dallaglio has left his legacy on the sport and it is one which will never be forgotten.
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