Top teams dropping like flies
June 22nd, 2004Well, well, well. Italy knocked out of the tournament, after their rivals Sweden and Denmark managed to get the 2-2 draw that perfectly suited them. The anguish on Cassano’s face as he scored, only to find from the bench that it was all in vain tugged on my heartstrings.
So, a Scandinavian conspiracy? Unlikely, especially given the rivalry between the two nations, but given tonight’s result, and Italy’s controversial loss to Korea in the World Cup and you might sympathise with the Italians’ accusations that their team is being conspired against. Then again, it might just be karma from 70 years ago, Italy won the 1934 World Cup with some heavy assistance from the referees - it wasn’t entirely coincidental as Mussolini had hand-picked them, and treated the official for the Final to dinner the night before the match.
Actually the real reason is neither - it’s because their midfield wasn’t creative enough, Del Piero was past it and Totti was an idiot. But no-one will like the facts spoiling a good story.
Still, two big teams out already, and another one going out tomorrow as only one from Germany and Holland can make it (and indeed possibly both, if Latvia do the impossible and win while Germany don’t). Like the last World Cup, this is very much a tournament for the underdog.