The Sixth Sense

Euro 2008 and teams

For some bizarre reason, I have been really enjoying the European Championship despite England having failed to qualify for it. In fact, it may be because we’re not in it that I’m enjoying it so much. There’s none of the tension, fretting, worrying, frustration, etc, etc, that typically coincides with following England in a major football championship. 

Having said that, I have been disappointed with the more recent quarter-final games. As the tension increases with the move to knock-out stages, it seems that the players shift into a far more defensive mindset. After all the adventure of the group stages, there just hasn’t been as much entertaining football. Let’s hope that things improve with the semi-finals later in the week.

Watching football - or any team sport really - always gets me thinking about, well, teams. Its fascinating seeing how some teams are crippled due to too much reliance on a ’star’ player whilst other ‘lesser’ teams really pull together and pull off outstanding results. Whilst I wanted Holland to win, I was very impressed with how the Russians played so well as a team and ended up totally dominating the match.

What lessons have you been learning from teams lately?

Tags: Euro 2008, Football

Italy: Good or Bad for football?

I watched the Italy vs. France game tonight. Potentially both teams could have gone out the tournament if Romania had beaten Holland. But, as it happens, Romania lost and Italy won. 

What is it with Italy? They’re always there or thereabouts when it comes to major football tournaments. They are, of course, the current world cup holders too.

I have a big problem with them though. And this may be my perception, but I can’t get away from these thoughts. They just strike me as really dull. They are uninspiring. They play very safe football. And they sneak wins.

Take tonight for example. They won 2:0 which sounds pretty convincing. But the truth is that one of those goals was a penalty and the other was a lucky deflection. Oh, and they were playing with an extra man for most of the game after France had a player sent off.

Even though they could have gone out tonight, they are through. And I wouldn’t bet against them winning the whole thing. After all, they won the World Cup play dull, unimaginative football.

I think its the way they play so safe which frustrates me. There’s something within me which reviles against that which is safe. When not attempt something more risky? Why not try to create something spectacular rather than sneaking a single goal and then hanging on for the win?

For me, Italy winning the World Cup was bad for football. Do we want the teams or try so little and sneak wins held up as the pinnacle of the sport? I don’t. I love to see adventure.

I think this is relevant for organisations too. Do we want to play it safe and keep things predictable? Or will we attempt something grandeur, even if we don’t ‘win’? I know for me, I’d choose risk over safety any day.

What about you?

Tags: Football, Italy, Risk, Safety