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Fitting finale France win is fitting end to Euro 2000
Posted: Monday July 03, 2000 01:30 PM
After a month of often scintillating football, Euro 2000 got the final it deserved in Rotterdam. A dramatic "golden goal" was the climax to a night that began with the two teams exchanging their normal roles, with France the more cautious, and Italy the more aggressive. It left the right impression following a tournament that was filled with good things.
It didn't look like it was going to be a great game in the first half, though. Italy's uncharacteristic attacking start unsettled the French, who were ironically forced into the Italians normal tactic of staunch defense and counter attack. But after the status quo had been restored, albeit in a rather stale fashion, Marco Delvecchio's second-half goal opened up play, paving the way for Sylvain Wiltord's dramatic injury-time equalizer and David Trezuguet's sensational golden strike. So what we are left with is only good memories. France is the worthy champion, and surely now unquestionably the world's premier team -- and Italy is back among the game's elite after a period in the doldrums.
It was a successful tournament for the two finalists, but what of the other contenders at this championship? Here's my report card.
Portugal -- a breath of fresh air, with their open attacking play, which did as much as anyone to light up the tournament. A shame they tarnished their display after the penalty loss to France with a ridiculous claim of a UEFA conspiracy against them.
Holland -- another underachievement for the Dutch, who, having been the best team never to win a World Cup, are now the best team not to win a second European Championship. They were entertaining though, and it's a shame Frank Rijkaard won't be around to guide them into the 2002 World Cup finals, where they can try again.
Romania -- was supremely efficient and did far better than anyone predicted, especially for a side stocked with aging internationals. No disgrace in falling at the quarterfinal phase.
Turkey -- like Portugal, they were one of the tournament's surprise packages. On the back of the success of Galatasary in the UEFA Cup, making the quarterfinals can only bode well for the future of Turkish soccer.
Yugoslavia -- despite making the last eight, the Yugoslavs were guilty of an erratic performance, typified by letting in three against Slovenia before scoring three to force a draw, and also by their loss of concentration at the end of the game with Spain, which allowed the Spanish to sneak into the quarterfinals. They did, of course, make history in this tournament, but their 6-1 loss to Holland in the quarterfinals equaled the worst margin of defeat in the history of the championship.
Spain -- again failed to deliver on their pre-tournament promise. They may have dominated at club level in the Champions League, and also lay claim to the best league in the world, but collectively as a national side they appear to lack the nerve at the moment to succeed on the international stage.
Germany -- time has passed them by, and it's back to the drawing board. Everything goes in circles however, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Germans back in contention in the not-too-distant future once they've got some new spokes in their wheels.
England -- flattered (themselves) to deceive. Kevin Keegan's men played with their hearts and not their heads. They never looked like championship contenders, despite the coach's hollow promises. They need to totally rethink the way they approach the game. It's no good saying the game is played differently in England and that's the way it is. The English version plainly doesn't work in the international arena, and has rarely done so for 34 years. It's time to wake up and make a change.
Belgium -- a little country which should have made more of home-advantage than a failure at the first hurdle. A minor disappointment.
Sweden -- physically strong, tactically weak, their performances were barely worth the air fair.
Denmark -- definitely not worth the airfare, as apart from Peter Schmeichel, they were out of their depth. No goals and no points speaks for itself.
Norway -- all heart, extremely united in everything they did, but ultimately boring.
Slovenia -- they didn't get past the group phase, but they didn't embarrass themselves either in their first major tournament. They'll be back.
Czech Republic -- very disappointing for the 1996 runner-up, though they were unlucky early on against the Dutch.
Finally, the World Sport team - well, after a spectacular World Cup in 1998, they again delivered an outstanding performance against the odds. OK, so we're blowing our own trumpet. Who else is going to?
Terry Baddoo is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International. Baddoo is part of the World Sport crew that is in the Netherlands and Belgium covering Euro 2000.
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