Sunday 25 May 2014

GALATICOS BALED OUT

The European Cup, as it was originally known, was first won by Real Madrid in 1956, the start of a period of dominance by the great Spanish side, which brought stunning international football to the small black and white TV sets of Britain in the late 1950's.The only British side to enter the competition at that time was Hibernian from Scotland. The English FA was not interested in competing in Europe at that time. Last night a Welshman put his side, Real Madrid, ahead in the final in Lisbon, with an extra time header, which will rate as his most important goal. Gareth Bale’s powerful running got him into a position to direct into the net a brilliantly saved shot by the “on loan” Atletico Madrid, goalkeeper Courtois. 
As full time loomed and the engraver was beginning to sharpen his cutting tool, the mattress makers ran out of legs and were forced into extra time. As the Galaticos methodically wore down their opponent’s defence, the hearts of their less successful city neighbours were broken and the end result was inevitable. Atletico were magnificent up to Ramos' equalising header and the neutrals would have wanted the red and white stripes to make history, but once there was an opening, Marcelo and then Ronaldo, with a penalty, sealed the 4-1 victory. 
Real achieved the Decima, their tenth European Championship victory, Ronaldo scored his 17th goal in this year’s  competition, Atletico’s Godin scored a goal to put his side ahead and this matched his effort last weekend to bring secure the Spanish league title, Bale came from the valleys, whilst Ancelloti, the Real manager, saved his job and went off to Canada to get married. Meanwhile, Simeone, the Atletico manager, who has pushed back the boundaries this season by creating a formidable team that has matched Real and Barca, lost his nerve and showed how petulant he can be by invading the pitch, complaining to the Dutch referee about the extra minutes added. Remember his reaction when David Beckham raised a scrawny leg and kicked the Argentine in the World Cup? The Dutch referee had a great game and kept his cool.

After all the theatricals, this was a fascinating final which should have been Atletico’s to win, had Bale not popped up at the right time.

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