THE END

THE END
Commentary by J.Chiam

*The writer apologises for the long, long delay in writing due to the onslaught of exams which have left the writer paralysed and suffocated of time to post. However, the writer strongly encourages sueing and blaming the authorities for giving out exams.*

The Beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega. Euro 2004 came to an end about a week ago. As the curtains of this grand gala of football celebration drew to a close, many lives were touched, many lessons learned, many hearts broken, many dreams shattered, many hopes vanished. Yet through it all, in this tournament, there are many who have turned from zeros to heros, from underdogs to champions, and for many who came with their heads hung down, the time has come for them to lift them up with utmost pride and dignity.

Yes, Euro 2004 has been a testimony of strength,unity and courage. A lot has been said from the aftermath of this grand celebration. Experts and football pundits around the world did their homework well, coming up with lots of logical reasons for various results of matches. The media has done a fantastic job in projecting the tournament, so much so that even small, mediocore housewives in small villages have heard of the likes of Wayne Rooney, or David Beckham. A poll has been done and it is found globally that Europe has the most amount of viewers with approximately 40%, followed by Asia with 20%. Yes, Euro 2004 became very much apart of one's lives during the 2 week run, where in the streets one could heard peddlars gossiping about football tactics, in clubs the name of famous galaticos of football could be heard spread around, and even at work or hospitals, one could imagine a lame and a blind arguing which country is the favorite team. Productivity overall has been crippled and slowed due to employers and employees indulging themselves in front of the square box for matches, making one think that even football can slow a nation's progress. Looking at the devastating effects football has in one's lives, it would be a huge understatement to say that Euro 2004 was nothing but a mere soccer match.


It was Greece. Even the Greeks themselves did not believe it at first that they would eventually lay their hands on the cup. With the Olympics just around the corner, it is evident that with the Euro tittle in the pocket, the Greeks will not let Athens fall so easily into the hands of other contenders. They now have the belief that underdogs now longer get under. Confidence is sky-high, expectations now have been placed much higher than before, and only time will tell that can the Greeks do it again this coming summer Olympics.

It will be another 4 years untill the next Euro. It is amazing and marvellous to find football uniting people together with one voice, something which no war, politics can do. Seeing the people chanting the names of their country together, singing the national anthem again and again, loving their country even more, this is something which no great psycologist can do, and no great teacher could educate. Emotions are shared together during these times. Tears of dissapoinment are shed together, and cheers of joy are chanted and sung along in a united voice. In unity, one country can achieve more and progress more. This is the massive contribution of football to the world.


*As Euro 2004 has ended, this blog will still continue to go on, but unfortunately no longer about Euro 2004. The writer will post up anything he wishes, but it would generally be on football, sports and entertainment. The writer kindly thanks all his readers for being patient in reading the articles. Thank you and have a nice day.