*is too numb to cry*

[anitabuchan]

Italy and France qualify for Euro 2008.

Italy scored in the first minute. We equalised in the 64th. And then, as everyone knew they would, Italy scored in the 90th.

We dominated the game. We had so many chances we just didn't take, missed sitters and headers cleared off the line. We played so well, so bravely.

Some of the players are crying.

They are all heroes. In a group containing Ukraine, France and Italy, we were in it until the very last minute. That is more than anyone ever expected.

Just to rub salt in the wound, Israel are 1-0 up against Russia. England could be going through, despite the fact that they have played rubbish and that their own fans do almost nothing but criticise and boo.

That is the way of football, isn't it? Always breaks your heart. The big teams always win in the end.

Another glorious failure.

Comments

[booksbagsshoes.livejournal.com]

I refuse to call this a glorious failure. We were glorious.

And ultimately we couldn't be beaten fairly and squarely, we had to be cheated out of it by possibly the most ridiculous decision ever. I think there were only two people in the world who thought that was an Italy free kick - unfortunately for us, it was the referee and linesman.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

We were glorious. But we didn't qualify. And at the minute I am just so gutted about that.

The referee was just unbelievable. All through the match he was making ridiculous decisions. At first they didn't seem to be favouring either team, but as the match went on we basically just got nothing. Apparently, he was the ref when we failed to qualify for WC 2002 as well?

[booksbagsshoes.livejournal.com]

I'm gutted for the players but I feel strangely numb about the whole thing, tbh. I've had my rant about the unfairness of it all and now I'm channelling most of my energy into hating the majority of the Sky Sports team. It's cathartic.

It would only ever happen this way to Scotland.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

I kind of just feel...numbly depressed, if that's possible. I don't even really feel angry at the ref. I suppose I feel a bit like we shouldn't all have gotten so hopeful. Because, like you say...we are Scotland.

So proud, though. World Cup 2010, here we come! :D

[booksbagsshoes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we'll be seeded second in the draw for that thanks to our heroics - hey, we didn't want exhaust ourselves at the Euro 2008 tournament anyway. We're saving our energy to win the World Cup!

I just hope it doesn't come out in 20 years or so that the ref was bribed, given Italian football's fondness for corruption!

[greeniebach.livejournal.com]

*hugs tight* Oh honey, I'm so sorry.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

I think the problem is just that this time we really believed we could do it. It's now been ten years since Scotland qualified for a major tournament. But...the ride was good, while it lasted.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_meandthemajor/]

I am so sorry.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! But it's not all bad. They did do incredibly well.

[pippopippo.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Thank you.

[unembraced.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm really really sorry. Scotland were great.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* They really were. I am just so proud of them. But...that's football. Now we just have to look ahead to South Africa!

[colourreporter.livejournal.com]

*hugs* we were wonderful. we never stopped believing and they'll always be heroes :-).

with proper scottish lack of caution/inability to learn: world cup qualification HERE WE COME :-)

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* It's been a fantastic campaign. They are all legends. The France games especially will never be forgotten.

YES! South Africa better start stocking up on drinks, that's all I'm saying.

[colourreporter.livejournal.com]

it can't have done any of the wee boys careers any harm either. especially not a certain j. mcfadden ;-).

besides, i'd much rather a wee holiday to SA than Austria ;-).

[burn-so-pretty.livejournal.com]

Scotland 1 - 2 Italy. Oh my beautiful boys, you were so brave. *sobs*

I am proud and gutted in equal measure. Proud because our boys gave us absolutely everything. Gutted because we were cheated out of the place at the finals we SO richly deserved by a wanker of a referee. Once again we'll be sitting at home while everyone else parties next summer, and after the campaign we've had that's just not right. There is no justice in this world. I could cry from pride and sadness in equal measure. As it is, I'm just numb.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

Those are my feelings exactly. They played so well and fought right to the end, but were cheated out of the result they deserved. And, as a result, it'll be the usual big teams that end up at the finals.

But now we have to look ahead to the WC 2010 draw. MON SCOTLAND!

[kels450.livejournal.com]

People were going on in the build up about how uefa wanted France and Italy there, not us, and that the ref would play a part in that...and they all get called paranoid, but sometimes you do wonder.

Maybe i'll calm down in the morning, but it's still too raw now and i think the ref was a useless clown.

Our boys are amazing though.

but while i'm feeling bitter, it does make it so hard to see England getting all the luck in the world...surely, surely we deserve some of that? :(