Go back a few weeks when Euro ‘08 was still in its infancy.
Those were the days when Holland and Portugal looked unstoppable. Russia and Turkey were an afterthought. Spain’s credentials were still being questioned. Italy, World Cup winners two years ago, was touted as favorites to win it all.
Those were still the days when we still didn’t know whether or not to fall in love with a tournament that we hadn’t yet realized was a classic in the making. Trust me when I say this: Euro ’08 was the best soccer tournament this decade and the best since the 1994 World Cup for number of goals, technical ability and sheer excitement and entertainment.
For many, it was the first time you were experiencing the Euros thanks to ESPN’s comprehensive coverage. For others, it was yet another tournament in which you sat in front of the TV chewing on your finger nails and crying in your beer at the defeat of your beloved national team.
For some, the conclusion of the Euros ends your interest in soccer until the next World Cup in 2010. For most, it will mean a few weeks without any real soccer (with the exception of MLS) until the start of Europe’s major domestic and continental competitions next month.
Finally, I want to say thanks for reading. This is the first time I’ve done a tournament-long blog and the comments from all of you has helped create a small place on the Internet where fans can discuss and debate the game we all love as if they were friends doing it over a beer.
For me, the past three weeks have been loads of fun. I hope they have been for all of you.