The game took place in a spectacular setting, in a largely empty green cathedral with a stunning mountainous backdrop, against a deep-blue evening sky accented with high puffy clouds, the action on the field scattered throughout, the competition angry, the score close — at least for a long while.
Had it been football, the cathedral would’ve been full. Basketball? Almost full. Soccer or volleyball? More full. In those first two, there would have been all kinds of run-up to the game. All kinds of emotion. All kinds of pub. All kinds of coverage. All kinds of anticipation.
Instead … ahead of this game, there was next to nothing, a few small reports here and there.