The Anonymous Widower

Austria versus England at Under-19

I’m watching the England Under-19 footballers against Austria on Eurosport. Much better than Capello’s crap in South Africa! They’re winning 2-0 at half time, with two goals from West Ham’s Frank Nouble.

It’s now 3-1 with ten minutes of the second half gone. England seem skilful, keen and disciplined.

In the end they hung on for a 3-2 win.

July 18, 2010 Posted by | Sport | | Leave a comment

What a Disappointment!

The Russian football is not being shown! Sad, but in the grand scheme of things, not really! But suppose there was an elderly Muscovite, living in the UK, who was not very well and had been really looking forward to watching Spartak Moscow! ESPN have just made his day!

July 17, 2010 Posted by | Sport | , , , | Leave a comment

I Suppose I Could Watch the Golf

Weekends are bad for me, as I can’t drive, there is no pub within walking distance, so except for the stud staff, the paper lady and the postman, I won’t see anyone else for two days.

Not that I’m that bothered, as I will walk a bit in the fields with Lizzie.  The weather doesn’t look that good, so I’ll probably just watch the television.  Sport is mainly golf, although I do see that there is an exciting clash in the Russian Premier League, between Spartak Moscow and Rubin Kazan on ESPN, who report English football as bad as ITV. So I know that their Russian offering will be totally rubbish, with the commentators probably  in a cosy studio.

I do have other creative things to do though and I will report as the day progresses.

July 17, 2010 Posted by | Sport, World | , , | Leave a comment

Nepotism – Tajik Style

This report says it all.

You may not be able to read it unless you have a subscription to The Times, but if you can’t just type “Zarrina Rakhmonova” into Google. There are several reports of her becoming a TV newsreader, in Tajikistan, where her father is president.  Apparently, her brother, Rustam,  is a professional footballer and a Member of Parliament.  It would be interesting to see if he ever gets a red card. Incidentally, the national football team has a FIFA ranking of 135.

July 16, 2010 Posted by | News, Sport, World | , , | Leave a comment

Only The Irish!

I love Ireland and the Irish.  My father always claimed that there was an Irish ancestor in our blood, but I’ve never found them, amongst a real mixture, of which any London mongrel would be proud.

In July 1990, our horse, Vague Shot, travelled to Ireland to run in the McGrath Stakes in the Irish Derby meeting at the Curragh. He was second and that paid the expenses of the trip. The Derby though was unusual that year in that Hamdam Al Maktoum’s filly, Salsabil, was attempting to defeat the colts. I remember that I flew myself, C and a friend, Gillian, over in my Cessna 340A to the main Dublin Airport.

I think we had lunch at the Regans close to the course andTadey and Moira came with us to the races in the afternoon. I remember that Tadey helped saddle Vague Shot and the horse duly delivered. I also remember C and Moira having a bet on Belmez in the Derby at outrageous each-way odds. When Salsabil won, they couldn’t find the ticket as their selection had been third, but Moira talked the Tote into paying out anyway.

So we had had a good day on the hospitality, racing and betting fronts.

We then left to go back to the airport in our hire car. Normally, this was an easy journey of about an hour, but as we approached the airport, the traffic had slowed to a crawl and people were parking on the roadside and running towards the airport. In the end we did the same and after half-an-hour we had dumped the keys with the car hire company and had walked to the general aviation terminal.

I asked what was going on only to be told, that the Irish team were returning from the 1990 World Cup and that Dublin had also given Nelson Mandela the freedom of the city. Only the Irish would organise three major events on the same day. But I think they had a great party!

There were people running about all over the airport hoping to greet the footballers on their return, so taxiing the aircraft was difficult and in some ways a bit dangerous for the trespassers.  In the end however, we scraped out of the airport almost in the dark and delivered Gillian to Stansted. The terminal was all locked up, so what about security? Finally, we arrived at Ipswich and went home for supper.

July 14, 2010 Posted by | Sport, Transport/Travel | , , , , | 1 Comment

To Say That Some Must Have Paid Thousands To See This!

The World Cup Final has been a thuggish affair, with just a couple of clear chances, that anybody on their money should have put away with ease.

Now here’s an idea. I support Ipswich and have therefor seen most of the teams in the Coca-Cola Championship.  Suppose you created a team of the league, from the best players regardless of their nationality and gave them a manager like Huddink, Hodgson or perhaps even Sven, for a one-off  game against either Spain or The Netherlands, you would have had a much more enjoyable game, probably with a deserved winner. And it wouldn’t necessarily be the better-paid team, as Championship sides don’t always lose cup matches against clubs from the Premier League.

If you think, I’m biased towards the standard in the Championship, feel free to do the exercise with the Second Division of any European League.

We would certainly see more skill and commitment and probably less fouls and bookings too!

But some people must have paid thousands to see this rubbish!

I see though that Howard Webb has just sent off a Dutch defender. So that means the match will get worse as the Dutch play for penalties.

July 11, 2010 Posted by | Sport | , , | Leave a comment

Are the Dutch PLeased With An English Referee?

The BBC’s panel of experts think that a couple of the Dutch team should have had an early bath!

But then you see much tougher football every day in England. And then the referee and his assistants are all English!

If they had been from l;ots of other countries, there would be a different situation at half-time.

July 11, 2010 Posted by | Sport | , , | Leave a comment

The Dutch Are Hanging In

But for how long?

I think I’ll put some money on penalties!

There seems to have been litle mention in the build-up to this game, that The Netherlands was once controlled by Spain. It’s not history I know too well, but I seem to remember that the Spanish Armada was going to pick up Spanish troops under the Duke of Parma  from Flanders for the invasion of Great Britain.

Perhaps, just as the first Elizabeth supported the Dutch in their fight against Spain, we should do the same today.

July 11, 2010 Posted by | Sport | , , | Leave a comment

The Place To Be Tonight

I am not far away from Stansfield, a small village between Haverhill and Bury St. Edmunds.

What is unique about the village is that its pub, the Compasses, is owned and run by a Dutch couple.

We went on Friday and it looks like tonight will be the night for a visit, especially as they look like they can cope with my dietary requirements and serve Aspalls Cyder.

July 11, 2010 Posted by | Food, Sport | , , | 2 Comments

No More ITV Football Hopefully!

It would appear that the second semi-final and the final of the World Cup will be on the BBC.

So I won’t have to watch the worst football coverage I’ve ever had to watch.

July 7, 2010 Posted by | Sport | , | Leave a comment

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