The European Championship for A Group countries has come to an end. Just like with other European Championships or World Championships there was a big difference in the level of all 6 participants. This doesnt mean that any of the 6 nations didnt give everything they had. Preparation for football on this level takes a lot of hard work, time away from family and friends, the sacrifices the players and staffs make are huge. Living up to expectations, under performing and over performing was all part of the 2014 EC of American Football. The top 6 in Europe were represented for sure. Controversy was also part of the tournaments final game. Or was it only the appearance of controversy? Apparently both teams where warned about the strict enforcement of the Un-sportman like conduct rule in the final. Both teams had penalties called against them in regulation. Both teams also had multiple opportunities to put the game out of reach early as well. Did Team Germany get through to their players just a little bit quicker then Team Austria and adapted quicker to these strict interpretations? Maybe the European players shouldn’t watch and mimic the NFL players? As we know the rules are a little different in the NFL where “look at me behaviour is a way of life! Lets say these fouls where holding penalties and it would have been the difference between a completed pass or a sack would we still have a controversy? Both teams would have had a similar warning, “listen, we are going to put an emphasis on holding today, you are warned” Do we blame the referees for making the call or the players committing the foul? I have been on both ends so I have an idea of how it feels to be in those situations. Nothing you can say or do to make it right if you are on the opposite end of the call! You should never blame the lose of a game to bad decision making of referees. The bottom-line is that Team Germany made less mistakes then Team Austria when it counted the most. Team Austria started slow but came back with everything they had and gave us the most exciting final game in EC history. I seriously doubt that all 27.000 spectators in the stadium really knew what was going on at the end, just like all the people around the world who watched the stream or watched Eurosport, it wasn’t Europes finish football moment but it should not take away from the spectacular job the organising comity has done or what the teams have shown us on the field. It was a great tournament that has raised the bar for future events. The game was so close that it had to go into double over time to get a winner. You can’t ask much more then that. In the early 2000’s I have scouted Sweden v Austria when Austria had started their march to the A group. That game they lost to a better Swedish team but from then on they have been constantly improving and not just the National team. We already know they have 2 of the best club teams in Europe, Team Austria will show up at the 2015 World Championship more determined then ever and have put all teams on notice with their play this year… And how about the great work of the AFBOE? Great league, great development of their players, great national team, lots of football spectators, the AFBOE is working their plan and doing it well! Congratulations to all 6 teams, football is still improving in Europe and the quality of the 2014 EC has proven this!
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:10:39 +0000
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