I got up this morning bright and breezy at 5am to watch England U21 vs Italy U21… unfortunately I soon realised I was 24 hours too early and was faced with either trying to creep back into bed and risk waking up an irate other half who I’d manage to sneak out of bed without stirring only minutes earlier. Option two was to stick with it and watch Netherlands U21 take on their Portuguese counterparts. It was never really an option!
The next 93 minutes saw some cracking football in parts but mostly proved that U21 football is not the pure footballing experience I remember from yesteryear. I think I remember the days when U21 internationals were free flowing games, played mostly with respect for players and officials and the game and provided a welcome break from the high stakes senior international win-at-all-costs games.
However those were also the days before $50million transfer frees for teenagers and $100,000 a week wages as standard.
The game I saw this morning had very little difference to a senior international… played in front of a sell out crowd both sides dived, both sides play acted, both sides moaned at every available opportunity, the Portuguese players waved many an imaginary card at the referee and their coach was sent from the technical area for a verbal volley at the fourth official after being warned twice before.
Don’t get me wrong… I loved every moment of it but I now realise I’ll have to go younger still to see that innocent footballing experience… the FIFA Youth World Cup starts on June 30th in Canada… maybe that will deliver?! Although something tells me by now that may have gone the same way.
International football it seems is now big business whatever age group you’re watching and I’m sure when England & Italy finally get it on before my eyes tomorrow morning they will only confirm this further.
For the record… Netherlands won 2-1 and the standouts were their attacking trio of Ryan Babel, Royston Drenthe and Maceo Rigters. Nani looked decidedly erratic and the Dutch fans very orange.
The next 93 minutes saw some cracking football in parts but mostly proved that U21 football is not the pure footballing experience I remember from yesteryear. I think I remember the days when U21 internationals were free flowing games, played mostly with respect for players and officials and the game and provided a welcome break from the high stakes senior international win-at-all-costs games.
However those were also the days before $50million transfer frees for teenagers and $100,000 a week wages as standard.
The game I saw this morning had very little difference to a senior international… played in front of a sell out crowd both sides dived, both sides play acted, both sides moaned at every available opportunity, the Portuguese players waved many an imaginary card at the referee and their coach was sent from the technical area for a verbal volley at the fourth official after being warned twice before.
Don’t get me wrong… I loved every moment of it but I now realise I’ll have to go younger still to see that innocent footballing experience… the FIFA Youth World Cup starts on June 30th in Canada… maybe that will deliver?! Although something tells me by now that may have gone the same way.
International football it seems is now big business whatever age group you’re watching and I’m sure when England & Italy finally get it on before my eyes tomorrow morning they will only confirm this further.
For the record… Netherlands won 2-1 and the standouts were their attacking trio of Ryan Babel, Royston Drenthe and Maceo Rigters. Nani looked decidedly erratic and the Dutch fans very orange.
