King Kaufman's Sports Daily
AC Milan scores first, and second, and beats Liverpool for the European Cup. What's better than a goal in a big soccer match? Plus: NFL trademark retreat.
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May 24, 2007 | Caught the Champions League final Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday was the first day since the NBA and NHL postseasons began that there wasn't at least one basketball or hockey playoff game on, so I was kind of jonesin' to sit on my butt and stare at the TV for a couple of hours.
AC Milan beat Liverpool 2-1, as you surely know by now if you care even a little bit. You also know if you read this column that you aren't getting any expert analysis on soccer here, except I will say that they sure do keep that grass green in Athens.
The first goal of the game, on a deflection by Filippo Inzaghi of a free kick by Andrea Pirlo in the last minute of the first half, got me thinking about a column the other day by Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune in which he gave a rundown of "The 10 worst things in sports."
It got me thinking about what some of the best things in sports are. I'd have to give it some thought to come up with a list. Hey, I'm told you readers love lists, so maybe you can chime in with your ideas. We'll write some future column together, and I'll collect the paycheck! OK? OK!
But one of those best things in sports has to be the first goal of a big soccer match. Is it possible for human beings to be any happier than, for example, Milan's fans, not to mention the players, were Wednesday after Inzaghi shouldered that ball home? To say the fans were delirious would be like saying that crowd in Times Square was mildly pleased with the end of World War II.
We educated each other on the importance of a first goal in soccer during the World Cup last year, though astute readers will recall that the really important goal in international soccer is the second one.
And who scored the second goal Wednesday? Milan. And who won? Milan.
You can't argue with science, people. Especially junk science.
In case you're wondering, Canepa's 10 worst things in sports were, in order: the designated hitter, the NBA draft lottery, Barry Bonds, David Stern, the New York Yankees, Conference tournaments in college basketball -- and college baseball too, as a lagniappe -- polls and the BCS, the NHL, equipment (as in high-tech golf clubs and tennis rackets), and Tiger Woods.
Next page: NFL gives up its silly pursuit of a trademark on "big game." For now
