Gutted
Well it’s all over. England lost in the quarter-finals for the third successive major tournament. And it was on penalties. Again. There was a certain inevitability that it’d go to penalties from very early in the game. It was a shame that we saved some of our best football for when we were a man down after Rooney’s stupid sending off. I guess it just wasn’t to be. But right now I feel totally gutted. Perhaps most frustrated that a team with some of the best individual players in the world failed to ever really gel.
It is very frustrating though losing to the same team two times running in major tournaments and go out both times on penalties and have Rooney go off both times (last time injured rather than sent off). It is alarming too how we seem to lack any confidence at all when it comes to taking penalties. You could pretty much tell from their faces that they were all going to miss. Anyway. Enough of my misery.
July 1st, 2006 at 9:16 pm
Poor Sam.
I thought of you guys this morning. I was watching the game at the gym and during sudden death everyone at the gym gathered around the TV monitors. There were some visibly upset people when the final goal was scored. Dang it!
I’m sorry. My heart goes out to you guys.
We are watching Brazil play now. The McManus family is with us so lots of hopes and prayers for Brazil!
July 1st, 2006 at 10:03 pm
I’m sorry…
I know how you feel- Brazil just can’t be gone!!!
July 1st, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I know. I can’t believe both England and Brazil have gone out within a few hours of each other. Rubbish.
I guess to be fair though, both England and Brazil have under performed in this World Cup.
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:28 am
so now who do you want to go on and win?
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:55 am
Sam,
I don’t watch soccer really at all. I happened to be flipping through the 8 million ESPN channels this afternoon and saw that they were giving some special coverage to the soccer match. So I watched.
Like I said, I don’t know soccer at all, but when Ronaldo from Portugal approached the ball he had a little smile on his face, like he knew he wanted to be there in that moment, and that there was not a chance in the world that he was going to miss that kick. I said out loud, to no one in particular, “Game over”. And it was.
Immediately I thought of you. I’m not familiar with soccer, but am familiar with crushing defeat. If you’re unfamiliar with baseball and the tragic saga of the Boston Red Sox, look it up sometime. I grew up in the shadow of crushing defeat and overwhelming sports failure.
Hopefully in a couple of weeks you’ll be able to smile again; smile through those great Gucci glasses at your wife, and say what Red Sox fans have learned to say for years - “Wait till next year (or 4 years in your case).”
July 2nd, 2006 at 2:46 am
Keith, well said!!!
Keith W (nice name too, btw)
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:48 pm
NO, NO, NO, NO, Nooooooooo!
Watched every minute of it. Bathed and put to bed my 3 year old between extra time ending and penalties, I was that nervous. But when Gerrard’s penalty was saved I knew it was all over - few weeks ago I yelled the roof off when he blasted home for L’pool from 40 yds in the FA Cup Final and so often he is the hero, but when he was blocked I knew it was the end. Poor old David Beckham - I think his heart more than anyone was broken, judging by the press conference.
“The sun is out, the sky is blue, there’s not a cloud to spoil the view but it’s raining, raining in my heart.”
July 2nd, 2006 at 1:41 pm
I feel your pain mate.
Nehemiah 8:10 and Zephaniah 3:17 are both for you right now bro
hey, at least you still have the rugby and cricket trophies!
July 2nd, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Deana - I don’t think there is any team I feel like supporting now. Don’t think I could ever bring myself to support the Germans or the French. And Portugal have knocked us out the last two major tournaments now so that’s a no as well. And the other team is Italy. And I won’t be supporting them. I guess I’ll have to just wait for 4 years!
Both the Keith’s - thanks for stopping by, and yes, I’m sure I’ll be smiling again soon. I’ve grown up being disappointed watching the English in major football tournaments. I don’t know why we have so much hope every time when it always ends up the same (under performance and going out on penalties!) Hey ho!
SnakesandDoves - yeah, its disappointing that our best club players haven’t even matched their club form, let alone played above it.
Russ - thanks for the encouragement. Though it hardly looks like we’re going to be holding onto the Rugby World Cup or the Ashes looking at the way our Rugby and Cricket teams are playing!
Here’s to Andy Murray winning Wimbledon. Just a shame he’s a Scot!
July 3rd, 2006 at 2:23 pm
What a heart-breaking game to watch! I avoided blogs and emailing my boyfriend for about 36 hours because I just didn’t want to deal with it.
I watched the match in true style though, Sam, you would’ve been proud– wearing the colors and sitting at BW3’s with a basket of wings, fries (er, chips) and a beer. There were only about fifteen of us there but we were all yelling at the big screen and jumping up out of our chairs lol. First time I’ve ever had alcohol before noon (the match started at 11am Eastern Standard Time).
Now who to root for?
-Mel
July 3rd, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Wow, sounds like you’re learning the ways quickly…good to hear!
That’s it for me in terms of supporting anyone. There just isn’t any one of the remain 4 who I genuinely want to win. Interesting that it’s four European sides though.
July 4th, 2006 at 3:52 am
sam and rachel -
greetings and our condolences to you both - I know this is a tough time for your household - but maybe a little “amber nectar” will dull the pain -
I don’t imbibe, but when our beloved Sacramento Kings get knocked out of the playoffs every year for about the past decade, I find Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Heath Bar Crunch to be very helpful -
I hope life finds you both well, I’ll get back to posting more soon - We’ve been super busy with work,band,Mosaic Sac. and our Summer Vox shows…..well no excuses, I’m the one with fous,achiever,and belief so- BACK TO WORK!
some Sacramento Mosaic folks are going to see Rob Bell this Friday - I’ll post about that -
July 5th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Good to hear from you, Heath! We are slowly recovering from Saturdays tragedy.
Sounds like you’ve been keeping yourself busy (even if slacking on the posting front!)
I shall look forward to more of your news and what you’ve been up to.
Catch you soon.