The Hindu : Sport / Football : Size doesn't matter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 01, 2004

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Size doesn't matter

Passing Around

LISBON, JUNE 30. Euro 2004 has been a tournament of teamwork, humility and bravery as the smaller nations have shown that size doesn't matter in football.

The big soccer countries Spain, France, Italy, England and Germany, all with big name players on huge salaries, failed to live up to expectations as they went out by the quarterfinals. Smaller nations Greece, Czech Republic and host Portugal, along with the Netherlands, have made it to the last four.

The players whose performances have lit up this tournament are not those such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Raul, whose faces adorn giant advertising hoardings across Europe.

Instead, lesser names such as Greece defender Yourkas Seitaridis, Czech striker Milan Baros and Dutch winger Arjen Robben have been the ones who have caught the eye.

No one illustrates the triumph of the undervalued more than Czech Republic coach Karel Brueckner, a modest 64-year-old, who is reported to earn less in a year than England's Sven Goran Eriksson takes home in a week.

The triumph of the underrated, smaller nations and lesser-known players will give hope to the 36 European soccer nations who did not make it to this tournament.

No time to console: Luis Figo says he didn't have time to console Real Madrid team-mate David Beckham after Portugal knocked England out of Euro 2004 on penalties.

Figo wasn't even on the field when his team-mates beat Beckham's men at the Stadium of Light, having been substituted toward the end of 90 minutes.

"Well David is my friend. After the game he went on holidays so I couldn't get in touch with him," Figo said on Tuesday. "But I'll see him on the 16th of July".

"I can only wish him very good holidays. Of course I have sympathy for him and England, but one of the two teams had to leave the tournament. It was better for me it was England rather than Portugal." — Agencies

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