And so Man United fail to triumph at UEFA…

I am no mad footie fan, nor do I know much about the game, but periodically I take an unannounced interest in the game, usually around this time, when it’s all coming to a closure...the Grande Finale. So as I was driving to work, yesterday morning listening to the Radio I heard hoards of fans were making their way to Manchester to watch the UEFA Champions League, final game on the big screen, probably all those wannabees that wished they were there for the game in Rome but never quite made it, so as a consolation prize, in their eagerness made their way to the big screen! And then there are those that couldn't even manage that, so proclaimed the complete ownership of the TV screen in the home; this is where if you are not a mad footie fan, you do not suggest that you want to watch that all new nature show on TV tonight or any other show for that matter except the footie. This is where we accept that this is going to be the longest and frustrating 90 minutes, it is something that we all have to get over and done with especially if you are living with siblings, dad's mates...anything that breathes with the passion of football.

I carried on making Supper and finishing the chores as the TV continued to blare, the tempo rising every so often. The match was progressing well but hardly in favour of the home team. Tensions were rising, each hopeful kick turning in to a hopeless effort! The boys were not coming home with the Cup and I merely suggested to these mad fans hoarding the TV screen to accept it. That’s when I got the look that would kill, hmm think that’s my cue to shut up and give some encouraging words like hey there is still the second half to go..though in my head I am thinking how fruitless this is!

The game was coming to a closure and at 2 goals down the favoured team’s dream to bring the Cup back to Manchester for 2009 was well and truly over. Defeat is a cruel thing. I can’t imagine devoting the entire season to football, coming so close, but not quite getting there. As the final whistle blew, these guys who had just sat and watched 90 minutes of football felt totally rejected, disappointed, useless and defeated. Barca had outgunned Man U and that was the final result! I actually felt sorry for them and all those fans out there especially all those truly devoted fans. The TV switched off and they disappeared. I suppose they didn’t want to watch the ceremony, I did but I guess I would be rubbing salt to the wound and so thought best to leave it.

It sure sucks. Of course, I would never understand how it feels and nor do I intend to find out. A game is a game right…?.. These boys work hard throughout the competition and give it their best (shot) and sometimes it just isn’t meant to be. Sometimes the better team wins and I guess this time around Barca were the better team and triumphed. This was a big challenge and Barcelona rose to it while Manchester United no doubt made mistakes and just were not good enough on the night. It was a defeat no doubt about that, but it takes a lot to accept defeat. But more importantly acceptance of defeat is not enough. Defeat isn’t a bad thing. It’s not all misery and gloom. Sure the initial feeling is always of complete hopelessness but they soon wear off and in fact defeat is and can be a good thing. It calls for improvement, rethink, reshape. It is a reminder that no matter how good things are going, it can all just come to a stop at any point. This goes without saying, not just for football but for absolutely everything else in our lives. Yes its a game…but not a game played and forgotten. There will be much speculation, questions, blame, and whatever else for the game and the teams over the coming days and weeks…I would say it’s a time to reflect…and there is always next year -:)

I never thought I would say this but it does bring a lot of entertainment to our screens, fills a lot of our newspapers and makes up much of our radio broadcasting so…

Long live football…