Steve McGookinItaly Win Euros In Dramatic Penalty Shoot-Out
After days of anticipation with football apparently either “coming home” or “going to Rome,” England came up short in a nail-biting Euros final.
England failed to hold onto their second-minute lead through Luke Shaw – the fastest goal ever scored in a Euro final – and when Leonardo Bonucci equalized in the second half, it was a measure of how Italy had come back to dominate. After their main attacking threat Federico Chiesa went off injured, though, Italy lost some momentum and the game went to extra-time before ending in a thrilling penalty duel.
Despite two saves by England keeper Jordan Pickford, misses by Rashford, Sancho and Saka gave Italy their first tournament title since the 2006 World Cup, in the process setting a national record of 34 games undefeated. Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the player of the tournament.
Whatever way the game turned out, though, the behavior of some England fans was probably more predictable than the score.
In Rio De Janeiro on Saturday, Argentina won the Copa America, beating Brazil 1-0 to help Lionel Messi win his first international title, and his country’s first major tournament victory since 1993.
Elsewhere in sports this weekend; at Wimbledon, Ashleigh Barty won the womens’ final on Saturday, becoming the first Australian winner since 1980. The next day, Novak Djokovic won the mens’ final, which featured the first-ever female chair umpire, Croatia’s Marija Cicak. The win ties Djokovic with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for Grand Slam victories.
Meanwhile, the controversy over Sha’Carri Richardson’s omission from the US Olympic team continues to rumble.
Perhaps the winner of the week, though, was Spelling Bee champion and basketball prodigy Zaila Avant-garde.
See Also:
Football Wins (2019)
Are Politicians Really Like Football Managers? (2015)
***
Brexit’s Shadow Continues To Loom Over Union On Twelfth Weekend
Despite some grounds for optimism surrounding trade and the domestic car industry this week; with Downing Street disputing the “divorce bill” required to finalize Brexit, antagonism between the UK and EU shows little sign of abating as the summer unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Twelfth weekend arrived amid raised anxiety surrounding some loyalists’ opposition to the Brexit protocol.
See Also:
Poll Points To Trouble For DUP, Opportunity For Other Parties
What Happens If Alliance Comes Second?
A New Northern Ireland Youth Assembly Gives Cause For Hope
***
US accelerates Afghanistan withdrawal
President Joe Biden announced this week that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the country’s longest war would be completed by the end of August, a move widely seen as politically risky. The Afghan government said on Friday that the Taliban had captured a key border crossing with Iran, while Tehran is said to be watching developments “with alarm.”
In the US itself, there was a reckoning for the Confederate monument at the centre of the disturbances in Charlottesville, Virginia four years ago.
While in contrast…
As the six-month anniversary of the Capitol insurrection passed this week, prosecutors are now investigating individuals who may have been profiting from misinformation about last year’s election.
The twice-impeached former President Donald Trump appeared at CPAC this weekend, where the “Big Lie” narrative continued and the crowd of mostly Trump supporters perpetuated the idea that he might somehow be reinstated. They also cheered news that the government’s vaccination efforts were falling short.
See Also:
History At Stake As Impeachment Trial Begins
From The Big Lie To A Great Undoing
Yes, Mr President, There Are Two Sides: Right And Wrong (2017)
***
Assassination crisis deepens in Haiti
The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere is in disarray amid a destabilising political vacuum after President Jovenel Moise was killed on Wednesday when a group of mercenaries attacked his home. Martine Moise, the former first lady, was wounded in the attack and airlifted to Florida for treatment.
The new President Claude Joseph said “We captured about 20 of them. They are currently in custody. And we believe, we staunchly believe, that justice will be provided… We do have the right people.” Two of those arrested are US citizens and the White House said the FBI and Homeland Security officials would be sent to Haiti to assist with the investigation.
Meanwhile, in potential “unrest to watch” for the coming week:
***
Mission Possible – Branson “wins” billionaires’ space race
In a huge commercial promotion, British billionaire Richard Branson on Sunday took his Virgin Galactic spacecraft into sub-orbit before landing safely.
After a few minutes of weightlessness, the craft landed back at “Spaceport” near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, in theory proving a model for future commercial spaceflight as the competition heats up. Branson’s company already has a waiting list of passengers with a price tag of $250,000.
The Virgin launch took place nine days ahead of a similar venture into space by the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos , with preparations continuing for his “Blue Origin” launch.
But as billionaires squabble over being the first to leave the only habitable planet within mankind’s reach, a heatwave continues on the west coast.
***
See Also Last Week’s Five Points:
Also published on Medium.
