It’s been an incredible season which has seen Germany become World Champions, Barcelona win the treble and Harry Redknapp finally being questioned for his job performance. Over the next couple of weeks, Scottish Comedy FC’s writers are going to be recounting their top moments from the 2014 World Cup and the 2014/15 season.
What was your game of the year?
Napoli 2 – Lazio 4 – Eddie Cassidy
This game really was a belter. For the last day of the Serie A season the fixtures threw up a clash which would see saw the winner qualify for the Champions League. Napoli were to take on Lazio at the San Paolo.
Subplots included this being Benitez’s last game before taking over at Real Madrid, and their star striker Gonzalo Higuaín moping beforehand that he came to Napoli for Champions league and if they weren’t in it then he’d probably be doing a bunk
It all looked over at half time as a deflected Parolo shot and a Candreva breakaway saw Lazio 2 up, however Higuaín scored just after half time before Marco Parolo saw red. Then Higuaín scored an equaliser from close range and it looked like there could only be one winner. Cue the traditional Napoli self-destruct as Ghoulam got himself sent off stupidly.
Lazio however sat back and eventually conceded a penalty, up stepped that man Higuaín to blaze the ball over. Napoli pressed futher, Lazio threw on two sets of fresh legs in Klose and Onazi… both scored.
Game over and the better team over the course of season made it to the promised land. Honestly if you still think Italian football is catenaccio style borefests, check it out again, its highly entertaining with goals galore.
Germany 7 – Brazil 1 – Michael Park & Teddy Craig
As we’re being tricksy with timings and allowing the inclusion of the World Cup then it has to be Brazil 1 Germany 7. As I said on the podcast, I realised something of historic proportions was taking place when my wife looked up from the paper, glanced at the screen and said “Is that another goal?”
If she takes a passing interest in a football match then you’re safe to assign the term, ‘epoch-defining’.
I remember watching this in the pub with a few friends- one of whom is German- and being absolutely blown away by what was happening.
Brazil basically didn’t bother to defend and the Germans were playing tight, tidy passes to one another as if they weren’t there before blasting the ball past Julio Cesar who looked like he’d just given up on life.
It also contained one of the finest bits of World Cup commentary from the BBC’s Steve Wilson:
“And Oscar… Oscar gets one… he scores the most pointless of World Cup goals.”
Ouch.
Celtic 2 – Rangers 0 – Andy Todd
When two tribes go to war. The clash of the titans. Apocalypse now. The hype around January’s Old Firm game – the first time Celtic and Rangers had played in three years – was immense. According to fans, Hampden would be levelled; Glasgow would resemble the wastelands of Mad Max: Fury Road; and there would be more dodgy songs than a concert by Britpop band, Dodgy, singing ‘Staying Out For The Summer’ on an endless loop until your ears bleed.
But, despite the hype, January’s game reminded us of one thing only. Old Firm games are just like Timex. A crap watch. And it’s good to be reminded that we didn’t miss these matches at all. Here’s to at least another year before the next Old Firm game.
Scotland 1 – Republic of Ireland 0 – Daniel Downie
Scotland’s game against Ireland at Celtic Park was brilliant. Of course the football was shite, in the first half at least, but what an atmosphere.
There was an electricity in the air that you just don’t get at a vast open Hampden Park. Talk of split loyalties pre-match turned out to be nonsense, the Irish were left in no doubt they were at an away match with Aiden McGeady playing his part as Pantomime Villain. It was a great result and one of my all-time favourite Scotland goals. The perfect welcome ‘home’ for Aiden
Serbia 3 – Albania 0 (Match Abandoned – 3-0 Score Awarded) – Iain Todd
There was always likely to be trouble when Serbia faced Albania in a Euro ’16 Qualification match. Serbia and Albania have a history of turbulent relations, predominantly in relation to the former Serbian province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 which has been recognised by the United States and major countries, but Serbia refuses to do so.
Trouble flared when a nationalist Albanian banner flew above the pitch attached to a drone. The flag was caught by a Serbia player and a fight ensued.
It’s not the first match to be abandoned due to a drone. I often abandon games to avoid listing to the mindless drone of commentator Jonathan Pearce.
What was your game of the season? Let us know in the comments.
He is the editor of this fine site and a regular on the Scottish Comedy FC Podcast despite refusing to go anywhere near Owen's house.
He supports Kilmarnock and is a comedian to no-one but himself.
