In the grand scheme of things, it will likely mean little.
However, on Saturday the Scottish team defeated what is likely the best team in the world at the moment - France. Normally, the pecking order of my support would be England, France, and that's about it. But given that I was born in Scotland, how could I not hope to support the supposedly outmanned Scottish team.
They were quite outclassed in the first half, the midfield having to fall back to defend the goal, so persistent and penetrating were the French attacks. But as the game wore on, you could seem them gaining in confidence.
It was, as they say, a tale of two halves. When the second half started the Scottish team had not only a renewed vigor but definitely a sense of "we can compete". There is hardly a man on the Scottish team of "world-class" talent, save perhaps Darren Fletcher and the young goalkeeper, Gordon. But that didn't stop them from attacking, pressing the French every time they had the ball, and extending the field to start playing in the final third of the French end.
A very nice goal from open play put them up and rather than retreating and playing negatively, they continued to attack, keeping France off-balance until the final whistle.
A classic lesson in how to soak up the initial pressure and still eke out a victory. I haven't checked the latest FIFA rankings but I wouldn't be surprised if Scotland was ranked 50+ places lower than France.
1-0 it might be, but it will be an evening that Scotland fans remember for quite a while.
Posted by artandscience at October 7, 2006 08:01 AM