2016 UEFA Euro Cup - All Things Must Come To An End.
"In their last 18 major tournament games played at home, France are 16-0-2 and have won three titles. All time, France are 18-5-1 vs Portugal. In competitive matches, France are 3-0 vs Portugal: all semi finals, 1984 Euro 3-2; 2000 Euro 2-1; 2006 WC 1-0."
All things must come to an end. At 109' Eder's long range goal from 25 yds, popped Les Bleus balloon and put an end to the host nations party. In scoring more goals in this final (1) than he had scored in 15 games for Swansea (0), Eder became only the 4th to score a Euro final goal in OT: 1960 Ponedelnik - Russia; 1996 Bierhoff - Germany; 2000 Trezeguet - France. Now, France vs Portugal overall 18-6-1 and 3-1 in competitive fixtures. Les Bleus had not lost to Portugal in 41 years (a 1975 friendly). Nor had France lost a major competitive home field match in 56 years (1960 Euro), now 16-1-2 since 1961.
"At Euro, what is 34 games, no title for Portugal. Lucky 13? Last 13 in majors, Portugal 12-1. More lucky 13? Under Fernando Santos, Portugal are unbeaten in their 13 competitive fixtures (9-0-4). Missed it by that much... eight of those nine wins were decided by a single goal. In their last five knockout Euro games, Portugal have allowed only one goal. In his only major final, 2004 Euro on home soil, Ronaldo lost 1-0 on the only attempt Greece made from the pitch that day."
All things must come to an end. At 109' Eder's long range goal from 25 yds, popped Les Bleus balloon and put an end to the host nations party. In scoring more goals in this final (1) than he had scored in 15 games for Swansea (0), Eder became only the 4th to score a Euro final goal in OT: 1960 Ponedelnik - Russia; 1996 Bierhoff - Germany; 2000 Trezeguet - France. Now, France vs Portugal overall 18-6-1 and 3-1 in competitive fixtures. Les Bleus had not lost to Portugal in 41 years (a 1975 friendly). Nor had France lost a major competitive home field match in 56 years (1960 Euro), now 16-1-2 since 1961.
"At Euro, what is 34 games, no title for Portugal. Lucky 13? Last 13 in majors, Portugal 12-1. More lucky 13? Under Fernando Santos, Portugal are unbeaten in their 13 competitive fixtures (9-0-4). Missed it by that much... eight of those nine wins were decided by a single goal. In their last five knockout Euro games, Portugal have allowed only one goal. In his only major final, 2004 Euro on home soil, Ronaldo lost 1-0 on the only attempt Greece made from the pitch that day."
After tasting defeat in the 2004 final on home soil, a 19 year old Ronaldo left the pitch in tears. In the 2016 final, due to injury at 25', a 31 year old Ronaldo experienced deja vu on a stretcher. In the ensuing 95 minutes, their captain's absence and influence not withstanding, a Cleveland-esque championship drought ended, as the Portuguese finally snatched that elusive ring, hoisted the cup of champions, and are bridesmaids no more. FYI, of those 34 Euro games without a title, 30 were victories. Prior to their first major championship victory (1-0, OT), Portugal had also reached the 2004 Euro final, 1984, 2000, 2012 semis and 1966, 2006 WC semis. All things must come to an end.
In the qualifying round we picked 14 of 16 correctly. In the round of 16 we picked 6 of 8 correctly. In the quarterfinals crashing back to earth, picking 2 of 4 correctly. That flip a coin trend continued (1 of 2) in the semi-finals. Our host based final selection went 0-1. Overall going 23 of 31 for 74.1% with knockout rounds at 9 of 15 for 60%. All things must come to end, so we mercifully tap out on the carpet.
Until the next major that is... in 2018, it will be instrumental, very vocal, and from Russia With Love. Until then, enjoy and stay thirsty my friends.
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