Not the world’s biggest soccer fan, but Euro 2020 featured a month of compelling storylines and immense talent, concluding with Italy’s penalty kick win over host England in the championship clash.
Many of the world’s greats shined on the big stage. There’s much to admire, beginning with the impressive conditioning. Midfielders, in particular, look like they can run all day.
When played at a high level, soccer can be a mesmerizing sport.
But Euro 2020 also featured an ugly side.
There were dives that would make Greg Louganis proud.
There was acting that would bring a smile from Benedict Cumberbatch.
At times, it got ridiculous. A player would hit the ground in agony, grabbing his ankle, and wailing in pain. Forget the stretcher. Prepare the morgue. Then a replay would be shown. The player, more often than not, was barely clipped.
It was all a show, a contrived act to get a call from a referee. With so little scoring in soccer, every advantage is crucial. And the players know it.
Not sure the players realize one thing: These games are televised, with cameras everywhere, not some high school pitch in the middle of nowhere with six fans and no media coverage. At times it was comical, the blatant embellishment hard to believe.
Soccer can be a beautiful sport to watch. Too often that beauty is obscured by embellishment and deliberate attempts to waste time when one team is ahead and precious seconds are ticking away.
Imagine the heights soccer could reach if so many players wouldn’t flop on the ground after being barely breathed on.
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