Monday, July 30, 2012

Morning Papers in Spain 30.07


Indignant: a bad first half, belated heroism, and lament in the end. La Rojita are eliminated with three shots on the post and two pinched penalties from Venezuelan referee Soto. Milla: "this squad would have been fighting for a medal." 

An Olympic Swan-Song: dreadful refereeing, bad-luck, and a case of nerves send Spain packing. Two penalties not whistled and three shots on the post do not justify the debacle.

Messi Impresses, Neymar Excites: Messi arrives fresher than ever and with his ambition intact. "We haven't noticed the change from Pep to Tito." Neymar had another great game against Belarus (3-1) and the supporters dream of having him in blaugrana after the Olympic games.

O Rei, Neymar: the crack controlled by Barça shines with a goal and two luxury assists.

Opinion:
Is anyone tired of the Olympics yet? I sure am. It is almost over though and the season looms. Here's what is making the news this week.
As: Indignant: what is so surprising? Injuries in the midfield, no Thiago to play the Xavi role, and the fact that four key players from the Euros were involved red-flagged this tournament to me as one that Spain would find difficult to win. Refereeing in these tournaments is always going to be a crapshoot with the quality being middlin' to poor at best, but a better reason for their substandard play? They looked fatigued more than nervous.
Marca: Olympic Swan-Song: the moon must be in some weird position because I am agreeing with Marca. While they offer excuses as to why Spain did so poorly, the fact is that there aren't any. They did themselves in. That said, is anyone mentioning that the ref is Venezuelan? Every Venezuelan I've ever met is a closet Brazil fan. Any conspiracies out there? Move along. I hate conspiracy theories.
Sport/MD: Messi/Neymar and Neymar Love: again the Barcelona papers fall in lock-step. Neymar is the best player in the tournament so far, but is it a done-deal that Barça have the lead to sign the "new O-Rei Pele?" At least Mundo Deportivo make the story about him and don't regurgitate another "Messi looks and feels great puff-piece." It is obvious that Messi will come into this campaign with more rest than other years, but that will not necessarily translate into the "greatest season of all-time" business that they're trying to sell. That is yet to be determined.

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