When a team loses a game and someone says, "winning isn't everything," the words offer no comfort. They aren't meant to. What they really mean is that winning isn't everything that makes up what a team or individual is made of. Being a winner is not always about getting the highest score and winning the game; being a winner is about knowing how to lose.
The UEFA Champions League Final was played between Manchester United and FC Barcelona. The result was a major blow and disappointment to Manchester United and their fans. The game began with such a wonderful start. United dominated the ball for the first ten minutes of the game and from out of nowhere, Barca grabbed the ball, found a hole and scored. Once Barca took possession of the ball, United had a hard time getting it back. When they would get it back, they were not able to do much with it. Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances to make a shot and just couldn't find the back of the net. Ryan Giggs came close a couple of times as did Wayne Rooney.
The end of the match, was heartbreaking. Barca was too good at keeping the ball away from United and even with added time, the game was over with a nil score on United's behalf. Nothing. If only one goal could have been made, the sting of defeat would have been lessened but that wasn't meant to be.
Manchester United lined up to receive their medals for having participated in the Champions League Final. His Royal Highness, Prince William was in attendance and shaking hands, which must have been a true honor for the lads. Their future King had been there to show his support and let them know how proud of them he was. Each of the Manchester United players shook the hand of each man in the procession (there were about 5-7 hands to shake), and they came off of the stage with their shoulders back and their heads high.
After the game, the players and Sir Alex Ferguson were all quoted in various interviews, but the message was nearly always the same. They praised the Barcelona players as having outplayed them. They admitted to not having played their best game and that Barcelona deserved to win. Wayne Rooney gave the most gracious quote of all, giving over the notion that "Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world, at the moment."
To lose with such grace and dignity makes a team with this kind of class a great winner indeed.
The UEFA Champions League Final was played between Manchester United and FC Barcelona. The result was a major blow and disappointment to Manchester United and their fans. The game began with such a wonderful start. United dominated the ball for the first ten minutes of the game and from out of nowhere, Barca grabbed the ball, found a hole and scored. Once Barca took possession of the ball, United had a hard time getting it back. When they would get it back, they were not able to do much with it. Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances to make a shot and just couldn't find the back of the net. Ryan Giggs came close a couple of times as did Wayne Rooney.
The end of the match, was heartbreaking. Barca was too good at keeping the ball away from United and even with added time, the game was over with a nil score on United's behalf. Nothing. If only one goal could have been made, the sting of defeat would have been lessened but that wasn't meant to be.
Manchester United lined up to receive their medals for having participated in the Champions League Final. His Royal Highness, Prince William was in attendance and shaking hands, which must have been a true honor for the lads. Their future King had been there to show his support and let them know how proud of them he was. Each of the Manchester United players shook the hand of each man in the procession (there were about 5-7 hands to shake), and they came off of the stage with their shoulders back and their heads high.
After the game, the players and Sir Alex Ferguson were all quoted in various interviews, but the message was nearly always the same. They praised the Barcelona players as having outplayed them. They admitted to not having played their best game and that Barcelona deserved to win. Wayne Rooney gave the most gracious quote of all, giving over the notion that "Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world, at the moment."
To lose with such grace and dignity makes a team with this kind of class a great winner indeed.
This is a good article thank you for writing it, pointing out how graceful in defeat Manchester United were.
ReplyDeleteIt is my view that Barcalona were great value for their win.Their composure on the ball was sublime and this lead to United players speaking so highly of them. I wonder how things would have been had a certain Norwegian ,Tom Henning Ovrebo been officiating last night?
Very well put up Wendy. I'm still not feeling well after yesterday's loss. Its not because we lost to Barcelona, its because we never played the game our way last night. What an amazing season Manchester United had, winning trophies but certainly a disappointing way to end up the season.
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