Well Done England U21’s – Great Achievement
Sport should always be honest – But is it?
Following a period of nearly 40 years, England U21’s finally secured a victory in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. It was a great achievement.
The game was a very niggly affair, and I have to admit that the young lions at times showed some traits that are not becoming of English sportsmen. I think it is important that no matter what level of sort you should play honestly.
Now don’t get me wrong, the Spanish were of a similar mindset, and it is disappointing that young men should deem it necessary to deceive, con or even cheat, but I guess this is now the win at all costs philosophy adopted throughout sport.
The 2nd Test between England and Australia highlighted this attitude.
The controversial dismissal of JB, while technically correct and was rightly upheld, it would have been good if the Aussies had said that in the heat of the moment they were technically correct, but in hindsight they perhaps shouldn’t have insisted on the dismissal.
They would have demonstrated that you should always be aware of what is going on around you, but that in the spirit of cricket, it was pretty clear the over was finished, especially as both umpires were looking away from the action. But Hey Ho, c’est la vie, but what goes around comes around, so I suggest the Aussies watch out.
As usual I digress, the England v Spain game got off to a great start and England had two early chances that could have sealed the game within ten minutes, but missed the opportunity and the game settled into a tight affair, with Spain possibly having the most of the procession.
A bit of good fortune just before half time game England a slender lead at a crucial time, and despite Spins best efforts it looked like the game was finally going England’s way.
But hang on, a last-minute controversial penalty in the fifth added minute for Spain had the all the hallmark’s of, ‘what are VAR doing getting involved’.
The innocuous challenge by LC which was hardly deserving of a fly landing on the Spaniard’s foot was deemed to be sufficient contact to award a penalty. What has the game come to.
Up steps the fouled Spanish captain who hits his effort to the bottom left side, but JT dived low saving the shot and the subsequent follow up…..no more than England deserved and for once it was the England squad running onto the park like lunatics, all taken in by the moment.
Wonderful Stuff.
So the Young Lion’s match the Lioness’s in the Euro’s, let’s see if the lasses can go one better in Australia for the Women’s World Cup, and with a bit of luck just maybe Bazball England could win the Ashes, but I won’t bet on that one just yet.
A summer of Sport to remember??… Perhaps
