That's exactly what I said in the final frantic minutes of Germany-Sweden.
Like watching some great beast of a thoroughbred like Secretariat turn on the burners into the home stretch. You know it is in there. Like watching Bill Russell lock eyes with K.C. Jones with a few minutes left. (Sorry for the dated references, but I have my sporting examples-for-life.) 'They never give up. They never get an attitude.' I said that to my wife in the TV den on Saturday afternoon, watching the defending champions play with a man down -- dumb foul by Boateng, but they did not let it kill them. I am doing my watching in our den this week; no pubs right now, no crowds. My wife watches with me, here and there. She witnessed Zidane's final in '98, in the Stade de France, down low, at that end, for his two headers; that would make anybody a fan for life. Germany was in desperate condition Saturday, down by a goal. A draw would barely keep it alive, but then Germany scored in the 48th minute, and then attacked in the final 13 minutes of regulation and stoppage time, one man down, going for it, going for it. And Toni Kroos put in a perfect curling shot from a hard angle on the left side. Talent and will. I've seen them over the last nine World Cups -- relentless, talented, smart, with only one really nasty play that sticks in my mind -- Toni Schumacher's ugly mugging of Patrick Battiston in 1982. World Cup soccer should be viewed beyond old national stereotypes. I've watched them win a World Cup in 1990 as West Germany and another in 2014 as Germany, and do not equate the team with ancient history or the admirable western democracy it is today, with its beautiful anthem, music by Haydn. The football pitch is a place onto itself. In the modern imbalance of soccer talent and expertise and confidence and money, Germany is the old New York Yankees, with Yogi swinging from his ankles, the old Montreal Canadiens (who still ought to be seeded into the finals of the Stanley Cup ever year), the old Notre Dame. They may lose, even to relentless and physical South Korea on Wednesday. But don't ever count them out. Not when they are a goal down, or a player down. Like a horse race: "Here...comes Germany."
Andrew Sollinger
6/23/2018 06:53:12 pm
I thought the Germans missed their chance after the Swedish keeper deflected a sharp header over the crossbar at the end of regulation. But Kroos bent it like Ronaldo. Agree that Germany = Yankees.
George Vecsey
6/23/2018 10:18:01 pm
Hi, Andrew, nice to see you at the park today.
Mendel
6/24/2018 02:31:29 am
Still learning about this beautiful game, but whispered "trick shot" before Kroos's delicate touch. Controlling 75% of possessions will put any team in position to win. Kroos notched 144 touches in contrast with Messi's 50 in Argentinian humiliation to Croatia. Gotta be in it to win it.
George
6/24/2018 07:20:36 am
Mendel:, well said. Did you see Rory Smith's piece on Argentina? Explains Messi's lack of touches. GV
Brian Savin
6/24/2018 03:55:19 pm
I'm looking forward to this upcoming last round of group play. This morning we hosted a family of good friends who lived in England for decades (summers in Connecticut) for full English breakfast. Told them we were honored they chose our pub for the match. England-Belgium is set up as a spectacular show.
Andy Tansey
6/24/2018 05:44:33 pm
With the score 1-1 until the final "trick play," I was wondering to myself, "Will Mexico and Sweden waltz?" Wasn't it Germany and Austria that did so back in the day? Doesn't matter any more! Now Sweden are up against it, though anything is mathematically possible in this incredible group!
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 12:37:25 pm
Andy, yes, 1982, first round, Germany and Austria waltzed to the result that worked for both, screwing Algeria, as I recall. FIFA, in a rare moment of doing the right thing, started simultaneous third games the next World Cup, to cut down on shenanigans of teams knowing what they need to advance. But with electronics more urgent every time, teams know. The US, getting whupped by Poland, knew right away that S. Korea had gone ahead of Portugal in 70th minute...and held on. I was there. somebody had a phone on the sidelines, as I recall. GV
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 12:39:20 pm
I meant to add, that was 2002. Park scored for S.K.
Altenir J. Silva
6/24/2018 06:33:46 pm
Dear George,
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 12:41:59 pm
Dear Altenir: I'm curious about the comparison between Jeter and CR7.
Altenir J. Silva
6/25/2018 02:25:08 pm
Dear George,
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 09:21:59 pm
Altenir, thanks so much. I did not know that about CR7.....those personal reactions to misfortune indicate a real person is in there.
bruce
6/25/2018 01:01:28 pm
altenir,
Altenir J. Silva
6/25/2018 02:27:42 pm
Dear Bruce, as I said to George, I was referring to the charity work of CR7. Take a look at this: http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/cristiano-ronaldo-amazing-charity-work-real-madrids-superstar-4053752
bruce
6/25/2018 03:41:44 pm
altenir,
Joel Gardner
6/24/2018 09:51:06 pm
Yes, but . . .
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 12:47:18 pm
Dear Joel Gardner, absolutely right. I'm always surprised by players who fire a shot when they could invite the whistles from the mob and spurn back-passing to the keeper or a lone defender somewhere.
bruce
6/25/2018 01:12:58 pm
george,
George Vecsey
6/25/2018 09:27:37 pm
Bruce, 2 things: Jim Brown may have been the greatest lacrosse player ever. (I live in the town next to his Manhasset.) He could hold a ball against his chest indefinitely (with a stick, obviously)....and withstand whackings....He played 3 sports in the spring -- lacrosse, baseball and track and field. My friend pitched to him, said he was strong and eager, and could be gotten out.
bruce
6/25/2018 09:35:38 pm
george, 6/25/2018 10:22:05 pm
My friend played lacrosse for Tufts and had to defend against Jimmy Brown. He said that Jim was impossible to cover. He used a shortened attack stick and Would shoot with power with a flick of the wrist. Comments are closed.
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