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OLSEN COMPARES ARMENIAN LOSS TO 9/11
The Copenhagen Post, Denmark
Sept 10 2013
Christian Wenande
September 10, 2013 - 09:07
National football coach later apologised for his comparison of a 0-4
drubbing by Armenia on June 11 to terrorist attack
Almost 12 years ago to the day, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives
in the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. For national football
coach Morten Olsen, losing a football game is apparently on par with
that tragic event.
As Denmark prepares for its showdown World Cup qualifier against
Armenia tonight in Yerevan, Olsen raised some eyebrows after he
compared Denmark's 0-4 humiliation at home to the Armenians in June
to 9/11.
Olsen explained at a press meeting yesterday that the unexpected loss
in Copenhagen still weighs heavily on him and his team.
"For us Danes I think that if you are in or around the team, this
game in June is a blemish that needs to be washed away," Olsen said.
"Perhaps it's a bit rough to compare, but in terms of football,
it was our September 11."
Later apologised Trine Nebel, a rhetorician and communications
consultant, argued that Olsen's comparison was extremely inappropriate.
"Football is a game. I know that it's also about money and for some
people it's a job, but it is a game and you step over moral boundaries
by comparing September 11 with football," Nebel told Ritzau news
service. "It's not just an emotional event for the US. As a nation,
we in Denmark have also had to deal with the effects of September 11."
Olsen later apologised for the ill-advised comparison on the Danish
football association's Twitter account.
"I am sorry if the comparison had the unintended consequences of
hurting some people," Olsen said.
Loss was a severe blow Denmark's hopes to reach the 2014 World Cup
in Brazil were dealt a severe blow in June after the team endured
their worst home defeat in recent memory.
"We played on June 11, but result-wise it feels like a stain. It's
something that still sits in all our players, and that is just fine,
because it should," Olsen said, hoping to avoid making the same
mistakes in tonight's return game in the Armenian capital.
Denmark's World Cup hopes continue to hang in the balance despite
their 2-1 win over Malta on Friday. Even if the Danes win their three
remaining fixtures against Armenia, Italy and Malta, they are not
guaranteed a play-off spot. A loss tonight in Yerevan would all but
end their chances.
The World Cup qualifier between Denmark and Armenia kicks off tonight
at 18:00 and can be seen on K6.
http://cphpost.dk/sport/olsen-compares-armenian-loss-911
From: A. Papazian
The Copenhagen Post, Denmark
Sept 10 2013
Christian Wenande
September 10, 2013 - 09:07
National football coach later apologised for his comparison of a 0-4
drubbing by Armenia on June 11 to terrorist attack
Almost 12 years ago to the day, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives
in the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. For national football
coach Morten Olsen, losing a football game is apparently on par with
that tragic event.
As Denmark prepares for its showdown World Cup qualifier against
Armenia tonight in Yerevan, Olsen raised some eyebrows after he
compared Denmark's 0-4 humiliation at home to the Armenians in June
to 9/11.
Olsen explained at a press meeting yesterday that the unexpected loss
in Copenhagen still weighs heavily on him and his team.
"For us Danes I think that if you are in or around the team, this
game in June is a blemish that needs to be washed away," Olsen said.
"Perhaps it's a bit rough to compare, but in terms of football,
it was our September 11."
Later apologised Trine Nebel, a rhetorician and communications
consultant, argued that Olsen's comparison was extremely inappropriate.
"Football is a game. I know that it's also about money and for some
people it's a job, but it is a game and you step over moral boundaries
by comparing September 11 with football," Nebel told Ritzau news
service. "It's not just an emotional event for the US. As a nation,
we in Denmark have also had to deal with the effects of September 11."
Olsen later apologised for the ill-advised comparison on the Danish
football association's Twitter account.
"I am sorry if the comparison had the unintended consequences of
hurting some people," Olsen said.
Loss was a severe blow Denmark's hopes to reach the 2014 World Cup
in Brazil were dealt a severe blow in June after the team endured
their worst home defeat in recent memory.
"We played on June 11, but result-wise it feels like a stain. It's
something that still sits in all our players, and that is just fine,
because it should," Olsen said, hoping to avoid making the same
mistakes in tonight's return game in the Armenian capital.
Denmark's World Cup hopes continue to hang in the balance despite
their 2-1 win over Malta on Friday. Even if the Danes win their three
remaining fixtures against Armenia, Italy and Malta, they are not
guaranteed a play-off spot. A loss tonight in Yerevan would all but
end their chances.
The World Cup qualifier between Denmark and Armenia kicks off tonight
at 18:00 and can be seen on K6.
http://cphpost.dk/sport/olsen-compares-armenian-loss-911
From: A. Papazian