Always The Bridesmaid?
Filed under: Euro 2008, Final, Germany, Micheal Ballack
It’s been an amazingly difficult end to a very long season for the Little Kaiser, one that saw his start to Chelsea’s Premiership campaign derailed early due to injury.
After undergoing an ankle surgery that took place in Munich last April 28th, 2007, Ballack was subsequently left of Chelsea’s FA Cup Final (which Chelsea won 1-nil through a Drogba goal in overtime) as well as their Champions League Qualifier Roster and was a major doubt, although he recovered in time for the February Champions Roster deadline.
The season ended on a low note for Ballack as Chelsea finished runners up in both Premiership and Uefa Champions League to Manchester United, thus completing a Treble horror for Chelsea and Ballack.
Just when you thought Ballack would have the chance to redeem himself and his trophy cabinet on the International Stage (after missing out on the Finals of the 2002 World Cup due to Suspension and taking third place at the 2006 World Cup), it was not to be even though Ballack had recovered in time from a calf injury many thought would keep him out of the 2008 Euro Finals against Spain, falling 1-nil.
Should Ballack be respected for playing through an injury, of course, especially since he’s the captain and face of his side…. but my respect ends there in terms of today’s match and the tournament. In all honesty, if he was as desperate to win a title for Germany during his career, he would’ve played differently. This game and last game, especially, he was non-existent and today’s match, the only time I saw him in action was when he decided to dish out cheap shots and clip the Spanish players… so did HE (not counting the rest of the team, because the media focused Germany’s desperation for a title on Ballack and the fact that the clock is ticking) deserve the European championship? No. And I have no sympathy.