Barney Ronay, chief sports writer for The Guardian, has a knack for capturing the essence of a sporting event with a unique and often humorous perspective. In his recent piece, he turns his attention to the experience of watching Andorra, likening it to "a month made up entirely of Tuesday afternoons". This analogy immediately conjures a feeling of dullness, routine, and a certain inescapable tedium.
What is it about watching Andorra that evokes such a feeling? Ronay suggests it's their entire game, which "involves trying to stop football happening". Understandably so, as Andorra has the fifth smallest population of any UEFA country. Their role, as Ronay puts it, is to be "filler, football mastic, a semi-necessary prop, a plastic croissant on a morning talk show". They are there to fulfill their status as "a flag and a set of borders".
This isn't necessarily a criticism of the Andorran players or their commitment. Ronay acknowledges that their existence on the pitch "must be a genuinely draining existence". Every moment is spent spoiling the game, taking the energy out of it. From the first minute, their objective is to make the game stop. It’s a task they have become rather good at.
England's recent 2-0 victory over Andorra in a World Cup qualifier exemplifies this dynamic. Despite England dominating possession (83%) and having numerous shots on target (7), they struggled to break down Andorra's stubborn defense. The goals came from an own goal and a header from Declan Rice, highlighting the difficulty England had in creating clear-cut opportunities. Several sources noted that it was an underwhelming performance from England, and that Andorra emerged with plenty of credit.
Ronay's "Tuesday afternoon" analogy also speaks to the predictable nature of these matches. The outcome is rarely in doubt, and the entertainment value often low. It is a far cry from the thrilling, high-scoring encounters that fans crave. The game becomes a chore, a box-ticking exercise on the road to World Cup qualification.
However, there's also a certain charm in this. In a sporting world increasingly dominated by money and hyper-competitiveness, Andorra offers a reminder of the simple, unglamorous reality for many smaller nations. They are not there to win trophies or dominate headlines, but to represent their country and compete with pride, however limited their resources.
Ultimately, watching Andorra might not be the most exhilarating experience, but it offers a unique perspective on the broader football landscape. It's a reminder that not every game can be a spectacle, and that even in the most routine of matches, there's always a story to be found. Ronay's ability to find the humor and humanity in even the most seemingly mundane sporting events is what makes him one of the most respected voices in sports journalism. He transforms what might seem like a tedious Tuesday afternoon into a moment of reflection on the essence of the sport itself.
