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My little friends,
Watching European soccer champs over the past three weeks was fascinating for sure. Workaholic German Bastian Schweinsteiger, canny Andrés Iniesta of Spain, Italian wall Gianluigi “Gigi” Buffon and Portuguese Nani’s incisive runs must have made up for the lost sleep. Cristiano Ronaldo’s step overs and flashy runs were the bonus.
After all his heroics — bicycle volleys, nippy runs down the line and powerful free-kicks, the pin-up boy of Portugal finished the Euro Championship as a tragic hero. As his team bowed out in the semi-final losing to Spain in penalty shootout, Ronaldo looked on helplessly.
As Mahavir Karna was denied entry to the swayamvar of Draupadi in epic Mahabharat, Ronaldo was reduced to a spectator as his teammates Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves missed from the spot.
The Real Madrid star played his heart out in the regulation time of 90 minutes and the 30-minute extra time. Fourteenth minute into the game, Ronaldo stormed down the left and sent a hard cross that Spain custodian Iker Casillas snared inside the box.
In the 31st minute, Ronaldo unleashed a shot with his left foot from just inside the box. It rolled beyond the outstretched hands of a diving Casillas, just wide of the post. He had the best look at the Spain’s goal in the 90th minute. But he shot off target. Another day, it could have landed in the back of the net.
Not that Ronaldo was busy upfront. He came down and headed away a free-kick taken by Xabi Alonso.
The wily forward’s heart broke in the tie-breaker. He was fifth in line to step up to the spot. But he didn’t get to take his kick, as Cesc Fabregas sealed victory for Spain, who kicked first.
According to rule, the order of shooters cannot be changed once the list of names is handed to the referee.
Match lost, Ronaldo was speechless for a few moments. But like a true sportsman, he conceded defeat graciously and wished Spain lifted the cup because his club Real Madrid is in Spain. The most colourful present-day star on the soccer pitch, take a bow!
So little champs, never lose that sporting spirit.
Bye for now from a keen tube watcher!
As Euro 2012 reaches its pulsating climax on Sunday, test your football funda with this quiz.
Happy answering!
1. Which country became the first to win the World Cup immediately after winning the European championship?
2. The winner of a particular Euro tournament was not in the original list of eight. It joined the others on the rebound when another country was disqualified. Who and how?
3. The 1988 finals would also be the last for a country. Which one and why?
4. What was special about Oliver
Bierhoff’s winning goal for Germany in the 1996 final against Czech Republic?
5. Who was the UEFA player of the tournament in the 2000 edition?
6. Identify this gentleman whose name is associated with the Euro championship
7. Which current UEFA administrator also holds the record for most number of goals in the Euro championships?
8. In a football match, who uses the Acme Thunderer?
9. Identify this soccer legend. (Hint: he was a defender for West Germany and is the only man to have won the Euro both as a player and manager. He also has a World Cup medal)
10. Which country will host the 2016 edition of the Euro?
Answers
1. West Germany, 1972. They won the World Cup in 1974
2. Denmark. Yugoslavia was banned due to the war in their country in 1992
3. Soviet Union. The country disintegrated in 3 years’ time
4. It was the first Golden Goal in the history of the competition
5. Zinedine Zidane. (France won the tournament
defeating Italy 2-1 after David Trezeguet’s Golden Goal)
6. Henri Delaunay. He was a French football administrator who proposed the idea of an European championship
7. Michel Platini. Nine goals for France, all in the 1984 edition, including two hat-tricks. France won the competition beating Spain 2-0
8. The referee. It is a whistle invented by Birmingham toolmaker Joseph Hudson in 1884 and still used to this day
9. Berti Vogts. He won the 1972 Euro as a player and the 1996 edition as manager of Germany. He also won the 1974 World Cup for West Germany
10. France
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Last week’s question:
Name the actor who reprises Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s role in the 1990 sci-fi action film
Total Recall in a remake this year.
The correct answer for last week’s question is:
Colin Farrell
Readers who gave the correct answer are:
Aditi, Class VIII B,
Chhapra Central School
Rahul Kumar, Class XII
RD&DJ College under Tilka
Manjhi University, Bhagalpur
Sudhanshu Shekhar
Class IX-C
DAV Samastipur
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This week’s question:Why is Lionel Messi not playing in Euro 2012?
Clue: No team in the Euro can select him
Readers can send their answers to ttbihar@abp.in
Remember to mention your name, address, class, school and email id with the answers. Please send only one answer.
