Chapter 5260: The Temptation of Money
The last match of Spain's group stage was against Greece. Before this match, Greece had lost both matches and was completely eliminated from the group stage as the champion of the last European Cup. It was extremely tragic. Therefore, most people thought that this last match was a meaningless match, and both sides might play very relaxed and peacefully. After all, for Spain, whether they win or lose, they will definitely be the first in the group. For Greece, whether they win or lose, they will definitely be the last in the group. Neither side had any ambitions, and it was purely a harmless match.
But no one expected that this match would be full of sparks from the beginning. Greece showed a strong offensive* at the beginning, and in the first half, the Greek team broke through the city of Spain and led 1:0. And after scoring, Greece did not shrink its defense, but continued to launch a crazy attack on Spain, as if to beat Spain into a disgrace and defeat it, as if to vent its anger on this "champion" favored by Lin Feng.
"Haha, see, this is the charm of money! Spain was pushed by Lin Feng as the favorite for the 'championship'. They must not tolerate being humiliated by the Greek team in the group stage. They will definitely launch a fierce attack in the second half. Whether Spain wins or loses, this will disrupt their pre-war deployment and make them consume more physical strength!" The CEOs of the Gambling Group laughed.
They were very satisfied with the situation in this half. In the group stage, Spain could not be defeated, but what about the knockout stage? If nothing unexpected happens, Spain should face the World Cup champion Italy in the knockout stage. Spain, who consumed too much physical strength in this game, will find it difficult to pass the Italian level.
Indeed, Greece brought great trouble to Spain. However, in the end, Spain still relied on its strong midfield strength to score two goals in the second half and won with a difficult score of 2:1. Entered the knockout stage with a 9-point advantage in three group wins.
However, why was the Greek team so brave after the game?
It brought so much trouble to Spain. It aroused the curiosity of the outside world. The fact that the Gambling Group secretly sponsored the Greek team did not remain secret for long and was soon known to the outside world. There was an uproar.
The followers of God immediately accused the gambling group of match-fixing and called on UEFA to sanction it, believing that the gambling group interfered with the normal competition of the European Cup. They affected the operation of the European Cup in an unfair way.
However, in the face of the complaints of the "gods", Platini, who has been honored as the president of UEFA, also said helplessly that although the practices of the gambling group were a little bit against the rules, they could not punish the gambling group. Because these gambling groups did not buy Greece to lose to Spain, but spent money hoping that they could play their strength to win Spain. In the football game. No matter who it is, they hope that both teams can do their best to win the game and present a wonderful game to the fans.
The practices of the gambling group seem to be a little against the rules, but can you say it is illegal? This, UEFA has no law that does not allow sponsors to sponsor teams to encourage them to win. If they encourage them to draw or lose, they will be severely punished, but there are no rules for winning.
And Platini understands one thing better. Even if UEFA law explicitly prohibits gambling groups from sponsoring teams to win, they can also have other ways to spend money to make the team win. This is not match-fixing, which will put psychological burden on players or coaches. This is something that has no psychological burden at all. Whether it is players or coaches, even the football association of their country will support it. Even the football association will sign a winning award with the gambling group. If you want to say this, you can only say that Lin Feng has changed the way the football world is played.
UEFA has been eliminating match-fixing, but now people don’t bribe teams to make them lose, but instead bribe teams to make them burst out to win. This completely changes the game method, and it is blatant cheating allowed by the rules of the game. What can UEFA do to stop it!
In the end, all Platini can do is not allow gambling groups to contact the team in person. That’s all. More, Platini can’t do it.
On the side of the gambling group, they laughed. They naturally knew that UEFA could not punish them. So, they didn’t mind the news leaking out. They did this just to see what Lin Feng would do? They really wanted to know what Lin Feng's expression would be when he knew that they sponsored the Spanish opponent!
"Contact the Italian Football Association. As long as Italy can beat Spain, we will sign a 100 million euro sponsorship contract with Italy!" The gambling group announced it to the public without any confidentiality, and publicly negotiated with the Italian Football Association on sponsorship matters.
Later, the Italian Football Association also announced that they had reached a sponsorship contract with William Hill, Ladbrokes and other top ten gambling groups. If Italy beats Spain, the Italian Football Association will receive a sponsorship contract worth 100 million euros from William Hill and other top ten gambling groups. All players and coaches can get 1 million US dollars per person. As for the remaining funds, they will be used to invest in the training of the Italian youth team.
This contract undoubtedly makes the battle between Spain and Italy more exciting.
"Too shameless!" Melissa said angrily.
"Boss, we must protest to UEFA!" Melissa roared.
"It's useless. This is their legal way. They want the team to win, which is reasonable and no one can blame them." Lin Feng shrugged, looking helpless. Lin Feng was also quite surprised by the behavior of the gambling group. These people are not stupid.
A sponsorship contract of 100 million euros is a considerable sponsorship contract for the Italian Football Association, but what about the gambling group? Compared with the 346.2 billion euros in bets they received, it is a drop in the bucket. They don't care about this money at all. It is not impossible for them to take out 10 billion euros.
And no one can blame them.
"Then boss, what should we do? We will also sponsor Spain!" Melissa gritted her teeth.
"Haha, it's not necessary. There is no point in competing for money!" Lin Feng said with a smile.
"Then we will do nothing?" Melissa was unwilling.
"No, of course we have to do something!" Lin Feng smiled.
Then, Lin Feng contacted Fabregas, who has become the core of the Spanish midfield with his outstanding performance in Tottenham Hotspur.
"Fabregas, you know the situation. Tell your teammates that I will not provide any financial support. Because, compared to Italy fighting for money, you are fighting for honor! I believe that you don't need financial stimulation! Bill Shankly once said that football is not about life and death, football is above life and death. How can money taint football!" Lin Feng said with a smile.
"Boss, don't worry, we will win!" Fabregas roared.
Then, Fabregas told all the players what Lin Feng said. After hearing it, the Spanish players burst into amazing momentum and high morale.
"Fuck those Italians who were tempted by money and fell!" The Spanish players roared.
Naturally, the title of Italians who were tempted by money and fell began to spread in European football. This title naturally made the Italian players extremely angry. So, they decided to teach the Spaniards a lesson on the court. Let them know how powerful the Italians are.
This game was played in a tense and suffocating atmosphere with global attention. Now Spain's lineup is extremely strong, and the outside world was not optimistic about Spain. But after the group stage, the outside world suddenly discovered that Spain's lineup was terrifyingly strong.
Spain's formation was 4231, originally 4141, but with the rise of Fabregas, he and Alonso sat in the back waist at the same time, forming a double insurance, while the midfielders were Xavi, Iniesta and Silva who rose in Barcelona. As for the striker, Torres was in charge. Such a lineup has extremely strong interception and penetration capabilities in the midfield, and Torres has a single-knife breakthrough ability.
If it weren't for Italy's concrete defense, if it weren't for Italy's explosion under the stimulation of money, Spain would have solved Italy long ago. But in the end, under Italy's united defense, although Spain occupied 70% of the ball possession rate, it was finally tied throughout the game, and continued to tie in overtime, and was finally dragged into a penalty shootout by Italy.
"Penalty shootout! This time, Spain is in danger!" The betting group laughed.
They also realized the horror of this Spanish team. The entire midfield was too terrible. At present, no national team in the world can compare with the midfield of such a Spanish team. They suddenly found that Spain really had a chance to win the championship. At least, Spain's normal odds of winning the championship were on par with Germany and Italy. But the penalty shootout was something no one could have predicted.
"Seek sponsorship! Tell the Italians that as long as they beat Spain, all players can get an additional $1 million bonus, and goalkeeper Buffon will be rewarded with $1 million if he doesn't save a penalty!" The betting group roared.
Although UEFA forbids anyone from contacting the players at this time. But the betting group naturally has a way to transmit their rewards to the ears of the Italian players.
The penalty shootout begins! The Italian players are like chicken blood. The fierce light in the eyes of all the players makes people tremble.
"Lin, it seems that the betting group has made another move, and they should have added bonuses! How about us, do you want some rewards? I might be able to contact their coach." Prince William said.
Lin Feng waved his hand.
"Football is not about life and death, football is above life and death! For Spanish players, they have not won anything in the competition, they have not won any honor. Therefore, their desire for honor is greater than their desire for money! I believe they will win!" Lin Feng said calmly. (To be continued)