The best moment of my weekend as far as football watching was the 90-plus minutes I spent watching Stoke City and Leicester City battle to a 0-0 draw.
Ironically, later in the night some buffoons in the sports department showed their ignorance when I waxed poetic about the nil-nil match I saw earlier in the day. They have no idea.
While the action on the pitch had it’s moments, the lure of this broadcast was the shots of fans (some of you) in the stadium – riding an emotional roller coaster that combined the game in front of them, as well as information racing in from texts, cellphone calls and radios.
When Southampton when down – the Leicester fans roared. When the Saints came back, their tired fans looked gutted. At one point, Leicester were cheering something happening at St. Mary’s while Stoke fans were seeing their Premiership dreams coming true thanks to Ipswich scoring on Hull City at another ground.
Then Southampton went up 3-2 and Leicester looked ready to go down to the third level in English football for the first time ever.
It was devastating, even for a neutral, and intoxicating at the same time. One shot hit the woodwork and a few out of this world stops were made by Carlo Nash – each lowering the Leicester spirits even more – and as each minute ticked off, I could feel the anticipation growing among the Stoke faithful.
In the end, the Stoke City fans invaded the pitch (twice if count the premature celebration) and Leicester stood stunned as their fate was sealed.
I was left exhausted.
And I can only feel sorry for my close-minded co-workers – who will never know the agony and ecstasy that can come from a scoreless draw.
brant parsons is looking forward to watching Stoke City in the Premier League and wishes a quick return up for Leicester City. Have a comment or question? Send e-mail to bparsons@orlandosentinel.com.