Random Blog #2

Cheating, why isnt it legal?

As I type this, Croatia and Spain are playing a game they both know can guarantee them a place in the quarter finals of Euro 2012. I wont pretend to fully understand the mathematics of the situation, but put simply, if they draw 2-2, then Italy would finish third in this group and be eliminated. Whats apparent 30 minutes in, is that they dont appear to be playing for a 2-2. Spain are dominating the ball, 81% of it at present, which isnt exactly the best way to allow a team two goals against you, there trying to win, and in the process, risking defeat.

 We already have a football culture where it is perfectly exceptable for teams to not even try and win a game. A culture where 10 men behind the ball, battling for every kick, blocking shots with bodies on the line is just as revered as fine one and two touch football showing genuine skill in trying to break the other team down. Managers are allowed to pick their battles, except that the best there likely to get is 0-0, and play for it. Its a tactical decision, made for the benefit of the team, and only the team. It certinley inst in the spirit of competition, whats about other teams that might like to see you get all three points to help there cause? Teams don't care, its excepted, playing for a draw is ok. So why cant Spain and Croatia? They both know 2-2 is the best result for them, they know they can guarantee their place in the last 8 with that scoreline. Since i started this Italy now lead Ireland while the Spanish and the Croats sit at 0-0, this means Croatia are out, and Spain only come 2nd in the group, not first, so 2-2 benefits both sides. Whats so morally  wrong about playing for that scoreline, that isnt wrong with not even trying to win a normal league game? The only difference is BOTH teams arent trying to win, is it ok for one team to bring the integrity of a tournament into question, but not both? I understand that for example, on the first day of next seasons Premier League, newly promoted Southampton will travel to champions Manchester City, traditionally this would be one of these games where people except, agree and understand that the saints may play for a 0-0, not even try to win because a draw is the best there likely to get, but of course, they still have to earn it. Yes their only trying for a draw, but that doesn't mean theyll get it. In that sense there is a competative spirit, one team is trying for one thing, and the other for something else, its competition. But is that fair?

 Manchester City play 38 games a season, if Southampton play for a draw, City have only played 37 in which a team is trying to beat them, where as Southampton's fellow newly promoted side, West Ham, who, lets face it, every team in the league will like there chances of beating, will most likely face 38 games where the opposition are genuinely trying to win the game is that not an unfair advantage? Does that not ruin the integrity of the league in the same fashion Spain and Croatia playing for a 2-2 that benefits them both does? I don't pretend this is a perfect point, im well aware it has holes and pitfalls, but so does this belief that teams not even trying to win games is ok. Its a professional sport, a business, and business is cut throat, with people doing whats best for them, in spite of others, weather that be a "weak" team, trying to secure a goalless draw against a "strong" one, in spite of another "strong" team hoping they could do them a favor, or two sides agreeing on whats best for them, and playing for it in spite of a third team that needs them to do otherwise. You cant have things both ways, either everyone should always try and beat everyone, or should just except, that team have a rite in such situations to just take the result that helps them most. Its a debate worth having, because its not clear cut. Its a murky area, especially when you factor in the match fixing scandal in Italy at present, all i know is, if things stay the same, Spain will finish second in group C, sending them most likely to a quarter final with France, and Croatia home. Both teams could save themselves, easily, very easily in fact, weather or not they have a rite too though, is a different matter entirely.