The Reign In Spain

Who really cares about Brett Favre’s new “itch” or the MLB All-Star rosters? The biggest sports news in the past few weeks involves nothing happening in the United States. Temporarily, the sporting world is revolving around Spain. From Spain’s Euro Cup win to Rafa Nadal’s thrilling victory at the All England Club, Barney crosses the pond to recap Spain’s (sort of) recent triumphs.

Having been in Spain when La Selección defeated Italy in penalties in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, I can only imagine what the scene was like when Spain became kings of Europe after a 1-0 victory over Germany in the finals. Simply put, Spain was the best team in the tournament. They surrendered a total of 3 goals (penalties not included) in the entire tournament, all of which came in the Group Stage. To not surrender one goal in the entire knockout stage (they did surrender two penalty shots in their penalty shout out with Italy) is unbelievable. In total, Spain scored 12 goals in the tournament, 4 coming in the 3 knockout stage games. Their success came from a mastery of the basics. They were superior in accurate passing, instant control and sharp movement. As coaches always say, you have to do the little things right to win. Spain proved this point while winning one of soccer’s biggest prizes. In the end, Spain’s mastery of the basic aspects of the game defeated Germany’s experience and powerful running, and Spain will reign as the kings of Europe for the next four years.

What more can be said about Sunday’s unbelievable Wimbledon final. NBC broadcaster and three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe called it the greatest match he’s ever seen. McEnroe’s simple analysis says something in itself, considering he himself played in a thrilling Wimbledon final, a five-set loss to Bjorn Borg in 1980. In fact, McEnroe was so impacted by the match that he personally thanked each player afterwards and even hugged a defeated Federer. There is no doubt in my mind that Sunday’s match was the greatest ever. I am not the biggest tennis fan, but will always tune in for the majors (save the Australian Open) and have thoroughly enjoyed watching Nadal and Federer battle it out on the grass, clay, and hard court the past few years. After a deflating loss last year at Wimbledon against Federer, Nadal finally was able to best his rival, defeating him 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 in a jaw-dropping 4 hours and 48 minutes. It was the longest men’s final on record. There were a total of three rain delays, totaling 2 hours and 26 minutes, including an excruciating 1 hour and 21 minute delay late in the third set, with Nadal two games away from winning in straight sets. Of course, that wasn’t to be. Federer, who had won at Wimbledon the previous five years and had a 40-match winning streak at the All England Club (and a 65-match winning streak on grass), was not going to go down without a fight. Two epic sets that ended with Federer winning in tiebreakers (including a memorable 10-8 tiebreak win in the fourth set) pushed the match to a deciding fifth set. And fittingly, winning the customary six games that it takes to win a set was not enough. It took a total of 16 games, and ended with Federer pounding a forehand into the net. Nadal collapsed onto his back and the fans at Centre Court stood and cheered, not only for Nadal, or for Federer, but for the amazing spectacle they had just witnessed. Local time was 9:16 PM, darkness enveloping Centre Court. It is the end of a spectacular era, and could be the beginning of another one, especially if Nadal can win at the US Open in August. Questions still remain about Federer and if he reign as tennis’s king is done, among other things. Those questions, and more, will be answered in the coming weeks and months. But for now, take some time to savor what could end up being the greatest tennis match in history.