VE Day
‘CONGRATULATIONS to Team Europe for thrashing the Americans to retain golfs Ryder Cup.
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| The moment of victory |
Indeed, the Europeans have now won four out of the last five biennial challenges with only Brookline a few years back – when America plunged a stiletto shoe into the European dream bucking the trend.
And few if any golfers have played a bigger part in Europes successes than Colin Montgomerie.
The Telegraph says the Scot is the toast of Europe after his putt scored the winning point yesterday.
But while the papers see Europe celebrate, the Times wonders what lies ahead for the Americans, who must be wondering why players who look better on paper than their European opponents underperform in the team game.
The paper even asks the question: Is Tiger Woods the Americans weakest link?
The suggestion is that the playing legend casts a long shadow over his teammates and fails to inspire those playing with him.
And the record for such a great player does little to counter the notion that Woods plays better as an individual.
In his 16 Ryder Cup matches to date, the world No.2 golfer has won five, halved one and lost 10. Thats hardly the stuff of heroes.
Woods is also accused to talking a good game – something that football Jose Mourinho is prone to do.
And after his Chelsea sides stale 0-0 draw with Spurs, the Portuguese manager has been talking some more.
In TOTT ROT, the Sun hears Mourinho moan about how unfair it was of Spurs not to let his team score.
People do not pay money to see one team play and another team defend, kick balls, away, fall down, demand medical help and take five minutes to sub a player.
No, they come to Chelsea to see the home team win and any number of expensive new players score loads of goals.
If I was a fan and had to pay money, I wouldnt come, says Mourinho.
But hes not a fan. Hes a manager who gets paid lots of money to make Chelsea win.
However, hes got a decent imagination and, after wondering what it would be like to come as a supporter, Mourinho wonders some more.
If I was a referee, I would protect the team who want to play, he says.
Perhaps. And if money were the only thing needed to guarantee success, Chelsea would be European champions and have beaten Spurs 10-0.
But, quite plainly, it isnt…’
Posted: 20th, September 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
