If he has a chihuahua character, I can't make a chihuahua into a rottweiler. He could be a proud chihuahua but he remains a chihuahua. – Paolo Di Canio
Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign got off to a brilliant start. After thrashing the Faroe Islands and squeaking by Lithuania, they kept the momentum going by beating France in a famous victory. This was followed by a loss to Ukraine, but the team bounced back to beat the Republic of Georgia before suffering a second defeat, this time to Italy. However, this was followed by second victories over the Faroes and Lithuania, a victory over France in Paris courtesy of a James McFadden “wonder strike” (below), and a triumph over Ukraine. At this point, with only two matches remaining- first Georgia, then Italy- Scotland only needed only to travel to Tbilisi and defeat lowly Georgia in order to ensure a second place finish in Group B and qualification for the Tournament in Switzerland/Austria.
I have no way of knowing when (or why) Diadora and the Scottish Football Association decided to create this special “alternate” kit, but my guess is that it was around the time that the strong start made it look like Scotland would be sure to qualify for the finals. There’s no other way to say this: given the national team’s recent history, they should have known better. I’m actually not superstitious at all, but in hindsight they might have been better off waiting until the team had actually qualified. This “cherry red” and gold colorway was a combination that Scotland had never worn before and, in what was surely a marketing gimmick (that I fell for, of course!), the kit was issued in a limited quantity and each top was individually numbered. There was also some sort of contest based upon the shirt’s number- you could enter it each week at the SFA website for a chance to win…something. Obviously, I didn’t win anything.
Lucky #38059
How did things go in Tbilisi? I’ll let Andy Hunter of The Guardian tell you:
Scotland were reacquainted with the spectre of glorious failure in Tbilisi as their remarkable threat to the established world order was punctured by the unexpected panache of Georgia…Such a demoralising denouement is undeserving of a fine Scottish campaign…but their downfall was self-inflicted last night.
As if this was not bad enough, Scotland were beaten by a Georgian team missing most of its “stars” and forced to start three 17 year olds: goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze (who kept a clean sheet), scorer of one of Georgia’s two goals Levan Mchedlidze, and midfielder Levan Kenia- who many selected as the “Man of the Match.”
Scotland still had a chance of qualifying if they could win their final match against Italy, but an injury time strike by Christian Panucci denied them even a draw.
The end result as far as this series is concerned: the kit was worn for the Georgia match and never again.
That’s too bad, because not only was it a successful departure from traditional Scottish kits- blue at home and, generally speaking, white, yellow, or red as an away/change strip- and, in this writer’s humble opinion, as handsome a kit as I have ever seen. Simply put, Diadora got everything right from head to toe. The kit is simple without looking “plain.” All three pieces are in the same cherry red and each is accented with small touches of gold. The top has gold flashes on the shoulders (flashes of the same size and shape, though of varying colors were found on much of the training gear from this era), a “double collar” that is also trimmed in gold, and the curving gold piping on the shirt is also found on the shorts and socks. The other small touch that I really like is that rather than just slap the standard multi-colored SFA badge on the shirt (and shorts) Diadora took the time to design a new two-color (navy and gold) badge specifically for this kit and it works perfectly.
There are a few other details this kit incorporates that I appreciate as well: the Diadora branding (both name and logo) are “appropriately sized” and in the same color as the trim so they basically blend into the overall design of the shirt. I also like that both the shirt and shorts incorporate strategically-placed mesh panels. Finally, while I am a firm believer that players should have their shirts tucked in at all times- just ask players I’ve coached!- this shirt’s finished hem looks just fine untucked. This helps to keep it looking good when you’re not wearing it as part of the complete set or wearing it “casually” with your street clothes.
How much do I like this kit? If I thought I could handle the mockery I’d receive I’d wear the whole thing to my weekly outdoor pick-up game and indoor nights!
Coming Out of the Closet with Fuse: One and Done
October 11, 2010 by Fuse
Scotland 2008-2009 Third Shirt
Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign got off to a brilliant start. After thrashing the Faroe Islands and squeaking by Lithuania, they kept the momentum going by beating France in a famous victory. This was followed by a loss to Ukraine, but the team bounced back to beat the Republic of Georgia before suffering a second defeat, this time to Italy. However, this was followed by second victories over the Faroes and Lithuania, a victory over France in Paris courtesy of a James McFadden “wonder strike” (below), and a triumph over Ukraine. At this point, with only two matches remaining- first Georgia, then Italy- Scotland only needed only to travel to Tbilisi and defeat lowly Georgia in order to ensure a second place finish in Group B and qualification for the Tournament in Switzerland/Austria.
I have no way of knowing when (or why) Diadora and the Scottish Football Association decided to create this special “alternate” kit, but my guess is that it was around the time that the strong start made it look like Scotland would be sure to qualify for the finals. There’s no other way to say this: given the national team’s recent history, they should have known better. I’m actually not superstitious at all, but in hindsight they might have been better off waiting until the team had actually qualified. This “cherry red” and gold colorway was a combination that Scotland had never worn before and, in what was surely a marketing gimmick (that I fell for, of course!), the kit was issued in a limited quantity and each top was individually numbered. There was also some sort of contest based upon the shirt’s number- you could enter it each week at the SFA website for a chance to win…something. Obviously, I didn’t win anything.
Lucky #38059
How did things go in Tbilisi? I’ll let Andy Hunter of The Guardian tell you:
Scotland were reacquainted with the spectre of glorious failure in Tbilisi as their remarkable threat to the established world order was punctured by the unexpected panache of Georgia…Such a demoralising denouement is undeserving of a fine Scottish campaign…but their downfall was self-inflicted last night.
As if this was not bad enough, Scotland were beaten by a Georgian team missing most of its “stars” and forced to start three 17 year olds: goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze (who kept a clean sheet), scorer of one of Georgia’s two goals Levan Mchedlidze, and midfielder Levan Kenia- who many selected as the “Man of the Match.”
Scotland still had a chance of qualifying if they could win their final match against Italy, but an injury time strike by Christian Panucci denied them even a draw.
The end result as far as this series is concerned: the kit was worn for the Georgia match and never again.
That’s too bad, because not only was it a successful departure from traditional Scottish kits- blue at home and, generally speaking, white, yellow, or red as an away/change strip- and, in this writer’s humble opinion, as handsome a kit as I have ever seen. Simply put, Diadora got everything right from head to toe. The kit is simple without looking “plain.” All three pieces are in the same cherry red and each is accented with small touches of gold. The top has gold flashes on the shoulders (flashes of the same size and shape, though of varying colors were found on much of the training gear from this era), a “double collar” that is also trimmed in gold, and the curving gold piping on the shirt is also found on the shorts and socks. The other small touch that I really like is that rather than just slap the standard multi-colored SFA badge on the shirt (and shorts) Diadora took the time to design a new two-color (navy and gold) badge specifically for this kit and it works perfectly.
There are a few other details this kit incorporates that I appreciate as well: the Diadora branding (both name and logo) are “appropriately sized” and in the same color as the trim so they basically blend into the overall design of the shirt. I also like that both the shirt and shorts incorporate strategically-placed mesh panels. Finally, while I am a firm believer that players should have their shirts tucked in at all times- just ask players I’ve coached!- this shirt’s finished hem looks just fine untucked. This helps to keep it looking good when you’re not wearing it as part of the complete set or wearing it “casually” with your street clothes.
How much do I like this kit? If I thought I could handle the mockery I’d receive I’d wear the whole thing to my weekly outdoor pick-up game and indoor nights!
See you next week!
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