Well-known Russian journalist Alexei Andronov spoke about the failed performance of the Belgian team at the 2022 World Cup. Recall that the Belgians failed to leave the group, losing the fight for the first and second places to Morocco and Croatia.
“For this Belgium, The End is not only of the World Cup, but of its entire modern story. For almost 10 years, a “shot” was expected from her. But no, she grew old without doing anything.
I do not think that I will sin against the truth, saying that I saw a stronger, more concrete and worthy Belgium. Yes, this is 1986, “if not for that Spaniard”, an epic match with the USSR national team, and the invention of artificial offside as a defensive method. Yes, even in 2002, when the Romantsev team was finished off by Valem, Sonk and War Pig (Kampfschwein) Mark Wilmots, Belgium was more interesting than now.
Most of all, Belgium resembled a grandfather in a rocking chair, dropping his pince-nez and starting to snore sweetly while watching TV.
And it is very symbolic that Croatia sent them home. The one whose generation just "shot" - 4 years ago.
I almost forgot - one of the main issues of the decade. How old is Lukaku anyway?” Andronov wrote in his telegram channel.
Следующим шагом может быть результат анализа Финала ЧМ, в котором будет упомянуто, что средний рост игроков команды-победителя всё ж повыше, чем у проигравших. Мол, "это тоже весомо сыграло на пользу".
Вообще это откуда то из ещё давнего советского времени давать заключения об игре на базе возраста футболиста или среднего возраста команды.
Помню ещё времена, когда в телетрансляциях под информацией о фамилии и номере игрока указывали его возраст. И это было не только, кстати, в советских телетрансляциях, но и в некоторых западных.
са,Вертонгена и др., намного раньше добьется большого успеха, а не только 3-го места на ЧМ-18. Увы...