I'ts not that I hate France, of course that word is too strong, but I don't really think they played better. Yes, of course we might have a disagreement here, I realize that. But, it seems to me like Croatia put a lot more heart into the game, and the bad call killed their morale a bit.
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I know what you are thinking right now. You are thinking that it's just me rooting for the underdog. A typical behavior many of us humans seem to have, simply because we identify with the ones who are seen as weaker. In secret of course, nobody admits it, but that's is the psychology behind the apparent anomaly.
I will just say: Maybe. I can't really deny that's there. But, If you saw the game I think you know exactly when the morale changed. The first bad call from the referee did a psychological number on the Croatian team from which they never truly recovered. The game was fast paced mostly dominated by Croatia, with their ball possession over 60% for most of the game. That must mean something, right?
I am however, pretty impressed with the attitude of the Croatian people. On the last world cup the losers of the finals acted as if everything had been lost. As a matter of fact, I remember Messi saying he was retiring. He was so upset, as if reaching the finals does not have merit in itself, he said he was done playing for Argentina.
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One word comes to mind, and one word alone. GRATITUDE. - I think the rest of the world should look at that as an example of what it means to have the right attitude, what sportsmanship means. Now that this is over, I'm sure the team will be welcomed home as heroes, and honestly, well deserved.
Who would think a tiny country like that could pull that off? I certainly would have never imagined it. In any case, I'm glad this is over, I'm glad people are going back to work this week (this is the case in Latin America) and the conversations can be diversified a little bit. I may speak spanish, but as a soccer fan, I'm trailing behind by a few miles.
In any case, I hope everyone had a beautiful Sunday surrounded with loved ones.
Hi, @meno
We had that discussion among members of the extended family via whatsapp and it certainly looked as of Croatia had more merits to win the championship, not only for what they did to the get finals, but also for what they did at least the half of the game. Two unfortunate plays gave France the upperhand, but then, i guess experience or reputation played in; the psychological effect, as you mentioned, not only demoralizing Croatia, but aggrandizing France.
I think that unlike the team that raised the cup 20 years ago, this french team did have merits on the field. If they remain healthy and united, they may repeat in 4 years (or at least avoid the curse Germany experienced in this WC).
My opinion as well... the game could have easily been 2 - 2 aside from what i think were not great calls.
Hehe. Thx Meno for the nice words.. I uploaded a few videos of what it looked like in Split/Croatia after we lost. We celebrated as if we won..
Ill leave a link. https://steemit.com/blocktradesworldcup/@silentscreamer/qc6ejl5l
oooh im on my way to check this out! :)
Croatia was going at it strong in the first half. The own goal undermined their morale a bit and was very unfortunate. But they didn't fall to pieces and they scored an equaliser very quickly. And then there was hand in the penalty area, which a lot of people thought was accidental, but the referee didn't see it that way.
France went swinging in the second half and scored two excellent goals and although Coatia managed to score their second it was a little too late to fight for the draw.
I was sitting in a bar full of Italians, where nobody was supporting France and felt the same disappointment as everybody else, but that's football!