Love over Gold by Talaith Gladvert

Love over Gold by Talaith Gladvert

Author:Talaith Gladvert [Gladvert, Talaith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Talaith Gladvert
Published: 2019-09-13T22:00:00+00:00


Chapter 20: The World Cup II: The Quarter-Finals (1st and 2nd August 2018)

There is scarcely any passion without struggle.

―Albert Camus

The day before Diane and Katrien’s game, the quarter finals for the other half played. Germany and Spain went head to head. The Germans had had a good tournament so far and kept hammering away at the Spanish. Unusually, though, they kept pushing through the centre, where the Spanish defence swamped them. Eventually, in the 54th minute, the Spanish broke away from the German attack and took the ball to them, scoring a surprise goal. The Germans desperately tried to equalise in the last six minutes, but couldn’t. The Red Sticks were through to the semi-finals to face either Ireland or India.

In the second quarter final there was no score. Las Leonas dominated the Hockeyroos in terms of possession and shots on goal, but just couldn’t turn their dominance into a goal. The game ended 0-0 and went to a Penalty shoot-out, which they lost 4-3. Australia was through to the semi-final, to face either England or the Netherlands.

“So they were both examples of games where the better team lost” Katrien said to Diane after the games were over.

“Are you still going on about Rio?” Diane responded, “We beat you. Get over it.”

“We did play better, though. Like the Argentinians today.”

“A win is a win and a loss is a loss.” Diane replied.

They were playfully bantering about an old argument and Diane was pleased that they could with their upcoming match bearing down upon them. The field below them was emptying of jubilant Australians and distraught Argentinians. Every match these days ends with one side in tears, Diane thought, recalling the earlier game where the Germans had also been disconsolate at losing. I suppose the closer we get to the final, the bigger the loss. Penalty shoot outs were possibly the worst way to exit, as you had a chance to win right up until the final goal scored or missed and then you were out.

Diane and Katrien were taking it easy. they’d both trained hard earlier and had been advised to relax, spend time with their loved ones before the big game tomorrow, and so that’s what they were doing.

Diane’s parents had come down to see her play and had arranged to meet her and Katrien for dinner. Katrien’s parents were coming down at the weekend for the semi-final and final, which Diane thought was an arrogant amount of confidence in a Dutch victory. But, on the other hand, they were further away and would have had to take most of the week off, they couldn’t come down and return like Diane’s parents.

The dinner was OK. Diane’s parents had reached the point in their divorce where they could be friendly to each other and they were both fascinated by the fact that Diane and Katrien were going to be playing against each other in tomorrow’s semi-final.

“Won’t that cause problems?” Diane’s mum said, asking the obvious question.

Katrien and Diane looked at each other.



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