It's not my favorite sport (basketball holds that honor) but I have to admit that soccer has grown on me ever since the last World Cup in 2006.
This is the first year I have watched the UEFA Euro tournament intently (mainly because I am unemployed at the moment) and I have been thoroughly entertained.
Today's match between Croatia and Turkey was one of the most exciting games I have ever seen and I'm including all sports in that statement.
Now you wouldn't think a game that ended 0-0 at the end of regulation would be that exciting but there were scoring chances and hard hitting all throughout the match. The atmosphere was electric with fans jumping up and down and waiving flags.
Rustu Recber, the Turkish goaltender was cat-like during regulation keeping Croatia scoreless. That was until he made an error by overplaying the ball in overtime and leaving the net wide open for a header by Ivan Klasnic. The game appeared to be over.
With only seconds remaining in injury time, Recber booted the ball to teammate Semih Senturk who was substitued into the game earlier. Senturk burried the ball into the net to even the score and the Turkish fans who once felt all was lost, were re-energized and had Ernst Happel Stadion rocking!
Overtime ended and with the score tied at 1-1, a shootout was ordered to determine a winner.
Recber stepped up again, forcing two Croation players to miss the net entirely and blocking the last attempt. Turkey was victorious after giving up a late goal in overtime with very little time left. For Turkey, the dream continues. For Croatia, a missed opportunity that will surely eat at them until 2012.
For those who didn't see the game, I highly recommend clicking this link and watching the highlight. Whether you like soccer or not, you have to appreciate the fact that this was one of the most exciting games in recent history. And if nothing else, it gives you something to watch now that basketball season is over, football is yet to start and baseball is dragging on as usual.
I'm an American and I love soccer.
