In a year jam-packed with great sporting memories, some slip the mind quicker than others.
This morning on the Mike & Mike Show (ESPN Radio and ESPN2), the hosts fielded an email question that asked, "Is 2008 one of the great sporting years?"
Mike Greenburg spent some time pondering the question, reeling back through his mental archive of the year to date. He touched on several events that backed up the emailer's point - yesterday's epic Wimbledon men's final, the rivalry of the NBA and NHL finals, the Cinderella story at the College Baseball World Series, the dramatic Monday playoff in the U.S. Open and the overtime NCAA Basketball Championship game.
All undeniably thrilling, but no mention of Euro 2008? Hailed by many as one of the finest international tournaments in years, Euro 2008 concluded little more than a week ago, yet seems to have already been erased from the American sporting psyche. This is especially surprising since Mike & Mike's network, ESPN/ABC, broadcast every game from Austria and Switzerland.
The fact that the two Mikes, Americentric as they are, neglected to mention a football tournament isn't particularly surprising. Their absent-mindedness was unforgivable, however, when it continued to include the biggest sporting event on the planet (no, not the Superbowl).
When Greenburg moved on to the events still to come in 2008, he correctly noted that there would be some more golf and tennis, and rightfully pointed out that the World Series is due up in October. But what of the Olympics? What of over 10,000 athletes competing in 302 events in 28 sports? Nothing.
The Games start in Beijing, a month from tomorrow, and will be a defining moment in 2008's sporting legacy. Just try and remember to watch.
3 comments:
Personally, I still think Euro 2000 was better than the 2008 version. The depth of quality there was astounding, and the best players then were better than the stars of this year. Toldo had one of the greatest tournements I can remember by a keeper, Zidane was in his prime, as was Figo, and let's not forget the immortal Savo Milosevic.
Lest we forget Euro 96, "Football's Coming Home," and all that.
Thinking of that chance in the semi-final when Gazza slid in and just missed the ball still gives me goosebumps. Ahhh...what might have been.
Come to think of it, this raises an interesting question. What was worst international tournament? Methinks I'll have a little tinker with the North Poll.
What no mention of the Champions League or even the Rooney wedding. that was a sporting event or so you not get access to "Hello"
in the usa
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