Only In Soccer (and Only In Italy)

The group stage of Euro 2004 was not kind to the big names of European soccer. Spain and Germany both failed to make it out of there groups, Spain losing out to the footballing power that is Greece! But by far the most contentious exit is that of Italy, who bombed out yesterday. Italy was done in, on the final day, by a 2-2 draw between Denmark and Sweden, which saw both Scandinavian countries move on to the quarterfinals.

Some of the Italians are crying foul, alleging that the Danes and Swedes conspired to make the game 2-2, guarantee their own survival, and knock the Italians out. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said "I'm very bitter, I didn't believe this would happen with peoples who are proud of their spirit of fair play." The Italian netminder also opined: "Someone should be ashamed and it's not us." Well, let's see, Gianluigi, you managed a staggering 1 goal in your first two group matches and the only win of the competition came 2-1 against Bulgaria, whom the Swedes beat 5-0 and Danes beat 2-0. Had your squad managed to score just one more goal in 180 minutes of play Italy would have been through, no questions ask.

Truth is, the Italians were punished for playing the type of "take no chances" soccer that sadly permeates the big competitions. God forbid a team should actually try to score more goals than just the one. Of course, given the Italians' dismal form of late, that may have been too much to ask.