Sports fans in shock after a week of upsets

The team that beat them, Italy, pulled off one of the coups of the tournament last night as they beat Germany 2-1 in the semi finals.

There were high hopes for the Germans this year, with many anticipating an appearance in the finals for the tournament’s top-scoring team.

Mario Balotelli ensured that it would be his team facing the Spanish instead in Sunday’s final.

The enigmatic Italian put in a stellar performance that saw him put two goals past keeper Manuel Neuer. German fans will be left wondering ‘Why always me?’ as their team is eliminated at the semi finals for the third time in the last four tournaments.

The Spanish faithful, on the other hand, will remain hopeful that their team can go on to win an unprecedented third consecutive trophy – a feat that no other country has achieved before.

Spanish Shock

The prospect of a Spain win at the Euros may bring some cheer to one of the team’s more high profile fans, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, who crashed out of Wimbledon in the second round yesterday.

The second seed was defeated by Lukas Rosol, a 26-year-old Czech who stands 98 places behind him in the global tennis rankings.

Having only won 18 matches on Tour in his entire career, Rosol was someone that Nadal would have been expected to sweep aside in his quest to win a twelfth Grand Slam.

The Spaniard, who until then hadn’t lost before the third round of a major tournament in seven years, was evidently frustrated.

In his post-match press conference he admitted to being “very, very disappointed”, before adding, with unconvincing nonchalance: “It’s only a tennis match.”

Rosol, who seemed equally as surprised, declared his victory a “miracle.”

Venus Out

Nadal’s exit was not the only shock at Wimbledon this week – the first round defeat of five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on Monday being the other major surprise.

The 32-year old American, who has won seven Grand Slams throughout her career, was beaten by the world number 79, Russian Elena Vesnina.

Williams had climbed from 134th place back to 58th following her six-month hiatus after being diagnosed with Sjorgen’s Syndrome last year, a disease which causes chronic fatigue.

Speaking after the match, Williams remained hopeful for the future, stating that her main focus is now the Olympics – an event which she says she has “fought for this whole year” to compete in.

Beckham Snub

One person who won’t be present at London 2012 is David Beckham, whose exclusion from the Great Britain Olympic football squad has left some baffled.

The 37-year old has represented England 115 times from 1996 to 2009, captaining the country on 59 of those occasions.

Whilst he may not have played at international level for nearly four years, many had thought his credentials would have been enough to secure him a place.

Former England striker Gary Lineker Tweeted in shock: “Never thought for a second that David Beckham would be excluded from GB’s team.”

Prior to manager Stuart Pearce revealing his 18-man squad yesterday, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star had believed he had a “good chance” of being selected.

Pearce’s decision would have been all the more difficult to swallow for Beckham alongside the news that his former Red Devils team mate Ryan Giggs, a year his senior, had made the cut instead.

The 38-year-old Welshman still features regularly for his club and it is likely this would have been the reason behind his inclusion over Beckham, who continues to ply his trade in the less prestigious MLS.

Summer of Sport

Whether it’s Wimbledon, the Euros or the Olympics, a summer filled with so much competition will surely promise a host of opportunities for potential sporting upsets.

Could the Italian football team cause the first major stir by beating favourites Spain this Sunday?

Or will rain-free Wimbledon be the biggest shock we can hope for?