Two Champions

For soccer loving people like us these last weeks have been spent enjoying game after game after game.  The European Football Championship, commonly called the Euros AND the Copa America happened during the same weeks.  National teams from Europe compete in the Euros and teams from South American countries (with a couple of guest teams, like the US, Canada, and Mexico) compete in the Copa.

With multiple games every day it has been a soccer lovers dream. Games from Europe in the morning and then in the evenings from the US.  I printed out brackets to keep track of all the results and dutifully filled them in each day.

No surprises who are two favorites were. 

Spain in Europe

Argentina in the Copa America.

Both teams won all their games leading up to the final so both were favorites.

There were some thrilling games.

Including a shoot out that had me pacing the floor.

Thanks to the heroics of Emil Martinez, Argentina won that one, even after Leo Messi missed his shot!

This was likely Messi's last international tournament as he has reached the ripe old age of 37 - normal retirement age for a professional soccer player.

He didn't have the best tournament but is always a threat on the field.

Then in the championship game he was injured and subbed off.

Broke my heart to see him crying.

But his teammate Lautaro Martinez scored and that was enough to see the team lift the cup for the 16th time and the 2nd time in a row.

As team captain, Messi could have lifted the cup on his own.  Showing his true class and team spirit, he invited the other two 'old guys', his age mates Otamendi and Di Maria, to lift it with him.

Messi will forever be one of my all time favorite players.

On the field he has been mesmerizing and off the field, from all I can read and observe, he is a genuinely nice guy and a great father and husband.

Monica was thrilled to see her country lift another international trophy.

John and Isabella are big fans as well. Lots of happy smiles at their house!

Meanwhile in Europe, Spain kept racking up the victories.

Eventually defeating England in the final.

This year the Spain team had some fantastic young talent.  #17 is Nico Williams (age 23) and the young man on his back is Yamine Yamal, who turned 17 the day BEFORE the final.  And is a 1st team starter for our beloved FC Barcelona. 

I love that he still has braces!

He was named Young Player of the Tournament, was the youngest player to register goal involvement in a major tournament final and his goal against France in the semi-final was voted the Best Goal of the tournament. 

It was a stunner!

Nico and Yamal are good friends.

We would LOVE to see Nico join his buddy as a Barcelona player!

Fingers crossed.  

¡Viva España!

George's contribution was to wear the appropriate shirt while he watched each game. 

Spain in the morning

Argentina in the evening

Worked like a magic charm!

Two games! 

Two shirts!

Two victories!