In this week’s football review we congratulate Barcelona, wonder what has happened to Greece and sympathise with Bhutan. To help with understanding you can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below.This week’s football review – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Barcelona, Greece and Bhutan
Good
Congratulations to FC Barcelona who won their fifth European Cup/Champions League title after defeating Italian side Juventus. They went ahead after only five minutes and though Juventus pegged them back in the second half, goals from Suarez and Neymar ensured that Barcelona not only won the most prestigious European trophy but completed a treble: Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga title. Barca manager Luis Enrique’s first season in charge has been a memorable one and he will be hoping that he can lead Barcelona to more success next year.
Bad
The 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign has gone from bad to worse for the Greek national side. They lost for the second time to supposed minnows Faroe Islands 1-2 in their Group 6 qualifier – a result that left them bottom of the group without a win. A year ago Greece were performing well in the Brazil World Cup where they reached the second round. What has happened to the former European champions?
Ugly
We have to feel a little sympathy for poor Bhutan as they suffered a 0-7 thrashing at the hands of Hong Kong in their 2016 World Cup qualifier. The tiny Himalayan nation struggled from the start and were never really in the game as the home side ran riot in the first half. Next up for Bhutan is a home match against group favourites China – let’s hope it does not get even uglier for them.
Vocabulary
pegged them back: To draw level
prestigious: Most important
has gone from bad to worse: Things have got worse; things are really bad now
supposed minnows: They should not have lost to a weak team
thrashing: A heavy defeat
at the hands of: Against
tiny Himalayan nation: Bhutan
ran riot: Completely destroyed the other team
