Today, I have been pleased.  Not because Germany lost or Austria got a last second draw, but because of the biggest referring decisions in the history of the European championship.  As I had stated in an earlier blog, I am fed up with people pulling and pushing all over each other in the box on corners and free kicks.  I applaud the official for this move by calling the yanking down of an Austrian player.  As I have said before, this behavior isn't needed in football or really any game.  To me, this is right up there with diving and pitching hissy fits the whole game.  After this I will certainly hope that teams will quit the crap.  If a couple more refs will call this, we will see a stop to this and we will be back to the old way of fair corners. 

As for the game, I just have to say that the Austrians are the hardest working team I've ever seen.  They just want to win.  Every time a team out skills them they come back and out-try them.  I absolutely love it.  This is how football should be played.  Because of all their effort (especially late in the match) the Austrians earned a free-kick just inside midfield which ended up giving them the PK in the box.  So after the PK was awarded we saw a lot of arguing and also saw Artur Boruc, the star keeper, push his own men out of the box to signify his confidence.  Stepping up to the spot was Vastic, a 38 year-old man who really is a good footballer who helped the team in the 98 WC.  Vastic was able to beat the shifty Boruc by going to Boruc's right and the Austrians had a lifeline.  As a result of his goal, the Austrian will receive a lifetime supply of beer for free.  Now, that's an incentive!  Great story all-around unless you are a Polish fan.  And if you are sorry because that is heartbreak.

I would also like to say congrats to KansasToonami on his Croatian side's win over Germany.  Thanks for your time, it's been Keeper and I'm out.