Its over. The dream. Its not coming home. They are instead. After they play Belgium in the most unmotivating match that can ever be played; the ‘losers final’. Or ‘3rd/4th place playoff’ to give its silly and overly descriptive formal title. Especially as no-one ever gives a shit who came either 3rd or 4th, even 5th or 6th. And its pretty much the last thing any of the players want. But its not about the players, its not even about football, nor national pride. Its an excuse to sell a few more tickets and some advertising space on tv. And I’ll watch it.
Not sure what I’m more upset about; losing last night’s match to Croatia or feeling totally manipulated by the press all the way through the tournament. Because they told us how shit we were, then how great we were, then that we had the ‘easiest run to the final ever’ but then with each ‘easy’ victory they claimed how brilliant we’d undoubtedly become to overcome such ‘world class’ opposition. By rolling over shit teams in not totally convincing style. And then we ‘believed’. If I had one video of someone telling me ‘its coming home’ (David Beckham, the Queen, a bunch of chassidic rabbis, Hitler, schoolkids, cheerleaders…) then I had a million. I’m proud of our boys though.
Everyone will remember precisely where they were when England reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018. Our (another) ‘Kennedy moment’. And I was… err…
Roger Federer losing, if I’m honest, probably upset me more. Of course I wanted England to win the football but once the second half got under way it just seemed never likely to happen. But I’m used to England losing in championships. I’m not used to Federer losing anything. Unless its his Nike sponsorship contract because Uniqlo have offered him twice as much money. Yet it had to happen. He’s 83 years old now (so you’d believe if you listened to the agist fuckers in the BBC commentary box) and has won everything there is ever to win, 9 times over. But I don’t care about the winning; its how he wins. With style, grace, elegance and most definitively beautiful method of play. But 5 sets against a giant South African serving machine was too much, even for his levels of sublime. Which are a lot like mine, some would say. Ok, I would say. And so we have to ask whether the Fed will ever win Wimbledon again. I seriously hope so.
Serena has no such issues. She’s a fucking monster. And I love her. Just because she’s the ultimate winner and even ranked 131 in the world, there’s no-one like her and in all likelihood, there never will be again.
That ends today’s sports report. There may be others to come, but they won’t feel the same.
Happy Thursday
A xxxx
Lila , in your pic, cheers us up, bless her, but there is nothing much else that can help our mood today.
There is a decided feeling of sadness and melancholy in this household. . I am no maven , even having grown up in a male dominated family and beyond, in my marriage. I have had to listen to many a shout, scream, abuse at the TV screen swearing and cursing, the like of which you are particularly familiar!! On the bright side, there have been wonderful moments of gladness, happiness and delight at good wins for our home team, Spurs and MY home team , Cardiff City, who are now back in the first division I believe. (You may not even know who the hell they are, but as Welshmen, they can certainly sing a mean song or two) Let’s hope they win some games in the coming months
As for Wimbledon and Federer’s loss, I agree with your every word. Always a great player and always a gentleman. I miss the brilliant oldies I must say, and remember them, so well because I too am an oldie!!
France v Belgium?? No thanks! I will take the dogs for a walk and/or look after our gorgeous grand daughter, Neevie. (Niamh in Gaelic), oh yes, and watch the rest of Wimbledon.
Happier days
Shirley H xxxx