Sometimes a person, but in this case an entire country, simply can not catch a break, has absolutely no luck.
That's true of the Greek state, a nation battered by bad leadership, bad economic problems - and even worse solutions.
Sports is one potential reprieve. But whereas Friday's spirited fight and 1-1 tie with Poland was inspirational, today's depressing defeat to the Czech Republic was just 'throw up your hands' sad.
What more can happen to the motherland? We came out sloppy on defense, victim to a new back line made up of transplanted midfielders and a new goalie. The Czechs immediately took advantage of Greece's awkward back line to score two quick goals within the first seven minutes (a EURO record, BTW).
Our back line was weak, our goal keeper Halkias even weaker. The second goal in particular simply and sloppily squirted right past him. Bad luck defense, bad goal keeping.
Like they did versus Poland, things proceeded to get a little worse. With five minutes left in the first half Ellas scored, but the goal was negated by another bad call - this time a terrible offsides call. It's soccer's worst and most inconsistently called rule, and it stung the inventors of civilization today.
Greece did admirably fight back in the second half, and Fanis Gekas punched in a misplayed ball by Czech goalie Peter Cheh to cut the lead in half early in the second period. Despite outplaying the Czech Republic squad for the final 50 minutes Greece could get no closer, and lost a crucial game today.
All is not lost. If Greece manages to defeat Russia and if the Czechs defeat the Poles the motherland could advance to the knock out round.
Greece miraculously won EURO 2004; no one expects a repeat of that improbably championship. However, it would be nice to see Greece win a game or two, or at least not run into so much bad luck, bad goal keeping, and tough calls from the refs. But I guess when you are on a country-wide losing streak, complete with double digit unemployment, a 3-year long recession, record deficits, and a mean spirited and ineffective austerity plan' that's simply too much bad juju and bad karma for the Greek soccer team to overcome.
Our Ethniki has admirably shown some fight at EURO 2012. Let's hope the team - and of course the nation - is rewarded for that effort against Russia on Saturday.
That's true of the Greek state, a nation battered by bad leadership, bad economic problems - and even worse solutions.
Sports is one potential reprieve. But whereas Friday's spirited fight and 1-1 tie with Poland was inspirational, today's depressing defeat to the Czech Republic was just 'throw up your hands' sad.
What more can happen to the motherland? We came out sloppy on defense, victim to a new back line made up of transplanted midfielders and a new goalie. The Czechs immediately took advantage of Greece's awkward back line to score two quick goals within the first seven minutes (a EURO record, BTW).
Our back line was weak, our goal keeper Halkias even weaker. The second goal in particular simply and sloppily squirted right past him. Bad luck defense, bad goal keeping.
Like they did versus Poland, things proceeded to get a little worse. With five minutes left in the first half Ellas scored, but the goal was negated by another bad call - this time a terrible offsides call. It's soccer's worst and most inconsistently called rule, and it stung the inventors of civilization today.
Greece did admirably fight back in the second half, and Fanis Gekas punched in a misplayed ball by Czech goalie Peter Cheh to cut the lead in half early in the second period. Despite outplaying the Czech Republic squad for the final 50 minutes Greece could get no closer, and lost a crucial game today.
All is not lost. If Greece manages to defeat Russia and if the Czechs defeat the Poles the motherland could advance to the knock out round.
Greece miraculously won EURO 2004; no one expects a repeat of that improbably championship. However, it would be nice to see Greece win a game or two, or at least not run into so much bad luck, bad goal keeping, and tough calls from the refs. But I guess when you are on a country-wide losing streak, complete with double digit unemployment, a 3-year long recession, record deficits, and a mean spirited and ineffective austerity plan' that's simply too much bad juju and bad karma for the Greek soccer team to overcome.
Our Ethniki has admirably shown some fight at EURO 2012. Let's hope the team - and of course the nation - is rewarded for that effort against Russia on Saturday.
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