Sacre Bleu Mein Fuehrer, and other Eurocup Lowlights

Pieces from the
ObserverJune 29, 2008 12:01 AM


Biggest disappointment
Ronaldo

Specifically, his failure to flop, as everyone deep down hoped he would.

Refs
Most entertaining decision: Manuel González sending Germany coach Joachim Löw and Austria's Josef Hickersberger to the stands for being mean to him. Löw had to sit next to Angela Merkel. Neither looked comfortable.


Best Steve McClaren moment
Sweden v Greece

Still guarding his credibility. Heading for the media gantry in Salzburg, McClaren was asked for a view by a Swedish journalist. 'No comment,' said Steve. When finding the hack still walking by him, McClaren snapped: 'Are you following me, now?' No. He wasn't.


Biggest fashion let down: Romania coach Victor Piturca - big pre-tournament billing as a man-ghoul, nickname 'Satan', whose uncle used to live in a tomb. Turned up for Euro 2008 in a shell suit. Disappointing. Effortlessly out-emoed by Löw.


BEST MEDIA GAFFE
Swiss teletext

Agencies: 'TV chiefs have apologised after broadcasting the Nazi lyrics to the German national anthem during a Euro 2008 match. Stunned viewers were asked to sing along to the war-time 'Deutschland Uber Alles' song which has been banned for 63 years. Bosses at Swiss station SF2 blame the outrage on a junior researcher. Telly executive Gion Linder said: "This was a profound mistake."'

LEAST DIGNITY
Raymond Domenech

France coach revealed how Holland would cheat his side out of the tournament by letting Romania win in the final group match. 'Holland will make wholesale changes - it is already written that Romania will qualify with them from the group.' Holland won 2-0; France lost to Italy.



Best text message sent to a player by mistake
'Beautiful lady, I just want to tell you that in two more days I will be close to you. I trust in our national team.' Portuguese journalist attempting to text a girlfriend, mistakenly sending it to his top contact playing on the team

Best text message sent by a player
German international, capturing the spirit of their 1-0 win over Austria: 'What a fucking shit game.'

Best-phrased sacking
Italian FA

'While confirming to Roberto Donadoni our sincere personal admiration and appreciation for the reliability and skilled professional work which marked his time at the helm, we're not renewing his contract.'

Best press analysis
AS, Spain

AS columnist Tomas Roncero assesses Spain's success. 'Take that historic inferiority complex! Take that Spanish victimism! Take that Buffon and Cassano! Take that 22 June curse! Take that 88-year jinx against the unbeatable Italians! Take that pessimists! Take that disbelievers! Take that Tassotti! Take that Pagliuca! And long live King Juan Carlos of Spain!'