The Cutest Mascot ... Yeah?

I have often had the whole, premier-league-being-better-than-the-Spanish League' debate with my friends and always reminded them quite smugly how when we take the quality on display of all the clubs in the EPL and then compare it to the La Liga, we are far superior. The number of English clubs making the semi-finals and finals of the Champions League has been my key weapon for silencing the critics of the English League who think that the premier league is not as exciting. (oh lord, forgive them for the know no better!). But the other day I found something where, the Spanish clubs have quite clearly outdone their English counterparts. Watch the video to see Real Valladolid's new recruit. They desperately wanted to beat Valencia and took the old saying that, ' if you want to beat Valencia, recruit a circus bear,' quite literally. Too bad, it didn't work, but you gotta give it to the Spanish for knowing how to have a 'bear of a time'!


Stamford the Lion, you are still the cutest but this bear puts up quite a fight... yeah?

Del Potro's Dream Run

My tummy hurts, but boy! was it worth it. Didn't notice when I got so involved in the US Open Men's Singles Final between Roger Federer  and Juan Martin Del Potro. The first set was quite a disappointment for all Del Potro fans as easy smugness crept into the  Federer camp. Their man was in sublime form. He had, it seemed, studied Del Potro's game to the T and was completely out playing the ridiculously handsome big Argentinean. It looked like one of those 'no match' matches and I was starting to get so very disheartened by what I thought was going to  be a completely humiliating game loss for the 20-year old. I just didn't have the heart to watch it, but when Federer is at his best like he was in the first set, it's mesmerizing and impossible to look away from the T.V. screen. To distract myself from the game (which I had waited for, for over 5 hours) I decided to chop beans thinking it was already in the bag for arguably the best player on the planet. I don't like one-sided matches (except  when Chelsea are playing and winning), so getting dinner ready side by side, seemed like a bright idea at the time. It wasn't, and not just because I now have a big gash on my index finger which makes typing quite painful. Well, that ought to teach me for not giving my full attention to a match which was destined to end the reign of the 'king' of New York. Anyway, I was one of those rare people, apart from the Argentinians, who was rooting for Del Potro. Federer has won everything out there (and most of them more than once!) so I wanted someone new, someone younger, (someone as gorgeous as Del Potro) to win. You can't claim to be a Tennis fan, if you aren't a Roger Federer fan, so I had made my peace with the Del Potro's chances of winning being a distant dream (even if it was an incredibly wonderful one). Del Potro's early nerves got the better of him, but boy, did he get into another gear towards the middle of the second set when Federer looked like he will romp home with consummate ease.  Coming from behind Delpo forced the tie break and well, somewhere in the game, when the going got tough, Federer got mad. He said a nasty thing or two using the 'f-word' to the chair umpire. This made me support Delpo even more, (I just don't understand unsporting behaviour), and according to me, the more successful a player, the more it becomes his duty to be gracious and sporty (at all times) because they are the people, we all look up to. Reminds me of what Spiderman's uncle said to him in the movie, "with great power, comes great responsibility."
Federer who is a master psychologist had his tactics and his mind-games all figured out in the first set but they started to fall apart later in the game. (Federer, you don't need no games.... you got the sport). Del Potro showed incredible character, skill, attitude and immense talent to win a very entertaining, nerve-wrecking final and we had a new US Open Champion. A Star is born... the new US Open Champion, only the second- Argentinian to win the US Open, the 6'6 20-year old, the incredibly handsome... Juan Martin Del Potro! 
The closing shot of the TV coverage, showed the Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the lights shinning bright and the chairs all empty. It was hard to believe that this was place where such heroic drama had unfolded minutes ago,where hope and despair were separated by only a net, where a twenty year old came in with a dream and made it come true giving hope to millions of youngsters not only in Argentina but all over the world; inspiring them to think big and do something about it. Del Potro was gracious in his moment of victory and praised Federer, calling him the better player. Sport truly is remarkable.
PS: Delpo, does your tummy hurt too?

Of Brats and Gentlemen

I guess no one living in India can escape Cricket and if you are Indian, chances are you wouldn't want to escape it. So, its no wonder, that when there was no Football match and while I waited for the US Open Mens Final (woohoo!), I started to watch the incredible Sri Lanka-India one day (50 over) Compaq Cup Final. Just realised, while I was typing the last sentence, that cricket is complicated and not just because of its many rules and funny sounding positions (the silly point!); but also in terms of the various formats of the game... 5-day Test cricket for the people who consider themselves 'real' connoisseurs of the game, the 50-over one-day match (my favourite form of cricket) and now the most recent 20-20 game (the circus!) . But what's considered complicated by some (no game can make you feel dumb, faster than cricket), is considered great variety by others. I am glad to be from a cricketing nation 'coz I took to the game like fish to water and its always been easy for me to understand it. I tried explaining it to a friend of mine from the Sweden and well, he was convinced that it was boring and people who liked it were boring too. This reminded me of what Richard Gere said about Opera in Pretty Woman "People's reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic; they either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul". 
Cricket is like that too. So I am glad I was born in a country where Cricket comes with the territory.
India won the match and the Compaq trophy. Their performance was faultless. Sachin Tendulkar's batting was super and the ballers performed wonderfully, bowling out Sri Lanka in just 47 overs and everyone was happy. There were handshakes and smiles and hugs and cheer after they had won. I was glad they won but I really didn't like the way they behaved on the field with each other. They didn't look like a team when the going was (somewhat) tough. Pouting, blaming, cribbing, frowning, saying nasty things to each other when they were fielding. It was like watching spoilt heiresses rather than world class sportsmen! In contrast the Sri Lankans were composed, classy and together even when they lost the game and the tournament. C'mon you guys, what is the point of  winning matches being bratty, someday, its going to catch up with you. Probably explained why India has gotten to so many finals (twenty at least) in the last few years  but only won a handful of them (three-this being the third). It probably would have been better if the classier team had won.  After all cricket is supposed to be a 'gentleman's game'. Or may be it's time to introduce the gentleman to yellow and red cards.     

A Gift for Chelsea Supporters

On my way out for a cup of coffee and a session of weekend football review with my mates. And since, most of my friends are guys and don't spend hours styling their hair, don't understand how important putting together the perfect outfit complete with accessories is, and how, if you change one thing everything else has to be re-thought-out ... they are never late! It was no surprise then, when my phone started ringing 20 minutes before the time we'd set-up to meet (they think it helps!... Guys it doesn't). As my phone got lyrical with 'Blue is the colour', it reminded me of my favourite readers ... the Chelsea Fans... nah, I love all of you and promise to put up a special gift for all of you soon but this one is for the Chelsea fans....

Click here and download 'Blue is the Colour' ringtone for free and show your True Blue spirit

PS: Ironic how its been uploaded by someone who quite obviously is a Liverpool supporter. :)

Gosh! I better run, am incredibly late and the phone's been ringing non-stop (it so nice, with this ringtone, I almost don't mind being hounded to hurry up!) . Enjoy the ringtone and have a great evening everyone.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

5 games, 5 wins! Top of the table and the only team in the Premier League this season not to have dropped points so far. I am so proud to be a Chelsea fan, especially after seeing last night's match. Just love the new and improved 'boys in blue' under Coach Carlos, who never give up and keep trying to get the win until the very last minute (would be kinder to your fans guys, if you kinda didn't leave it sooo till the end). But then it wouldn't be my Chelsea, if they didn't keep the excitement up in their matches. That would be another club something United, I think they call themselves. They come in, score a few goals in the first half and usually kill the match. Pity their supporters who almost never get their share of excitement!(yep, those guys can do nothing right by me!).
I have a little ritual after Chelsea win a match (have one after they lose as well, but don't think I'll talk about that here)... I watch for the results/discussion shows to hear the pundits (even the ones who were betting against them) sing praises about my team and see the goals all over again. Its easier to watch the opposition score and even admire the goal when you know that your team has already won... much less stressful and very enjoyable. Also, sometimes I like to feel like I am the kind of person who is always calm and composed and that a silly 'game' couldn't make her scream and jump about like a cat on a hot tin roof.
So, imagine my horror when all the shows weren't focusing on Chelsea, the 'table leaders'!
Every show was discussing Manchester City's Adebayor and not because he had scored a hatrick like Yossi Benayoun did for Liverpool and not because of Manchester City's 4-2 win over Arsenal! It was because Emmanuel Adebayor had managed to get his head on a ball and 'unfortunately' scored for his new club. So in all humbleness, he felt he should celebrate right in front of the Arsenal (his former club) fans to get some 'love'. Arsenal Fans,according to him, had not 'loved' him enough, when he played for them. Fans whom he felt it was okay to begrudge, now that he was at another club.
I really enjoy Arsenal's style of football and used to count Adebayor as one of the better footballers in the league and as a very nice, good person. With this one gesture of his last night, he has managed to convince me that he is neither. And I am not even a real Arsenal supporter! I can only imagine, how hurt the Arsenal supporters must have been and I can understand (not saying it was right) why they started to hurtle bottles and other stuff at him.
Was such incitement really necessary? If he really wanted to teach his former club a lesson for not recognising his talents enough, why didn't he simply try scoring a hatrick. Guess that is tougher to do than, say running across the field to celebrate! He was shown a yellow card and will probably get a ban/fine. I guess he lost his temper and he's only human and probably (read definitely) not very bright and fans will (like fans always do) forgive him and the incident will be forgotten. But if it's true that he went in with intent to hurt Robin Van Persie when he caught his cheek with his studs (and one cannot not think of the very public fight the two had last season),the game is definitely better off without Mr.Adebayor. All in all, this certainly isn't the kind of thing that is going to get him 'love' that he so desperately seeks.

Its so sad when such a disgraceful incident makes all the headlines and all the wonderful positives and highs of the games get lost in the mess. In all, an incredible 32 goals were scored in the premier league last night. That is how we should remember it. Or maybe as the day that Chelsea retained top spot (just the way it should be), Yossi Benayoun scored a hatrick for Liverpool, Manchester United came from behind with only 10 men to beat Tottenham, 32 goals scored in all in the premier league and the day that Manchester City beat Arsenal 4-2.

Make football happy .... Make fans happy.

Chelsea, Yeah?

Oh what a beautiful day! Innit? Something about a weekend that fills you with positivity, even a person like me who doesn't have a regular job, looks forward to it and I have a sneaky feeling football has got everything to do with it. But today, I  think will be an exceptionally good day for I found something stellar....and God knows we, 'the mighty fans of the mighty blues', could use some positive news after that nightmare of a ban . Also, we lost Deco to injury for a week or probably more, I just couldn't take any more of the bad news so didn't read the news about his injury... only the headline and I was ready for some chocolate! (Oh boy, could I blame FIFA for the pound I put on?)
I went on a quest for positivity, and like always when you go looking for positives (or trouble), you find them. It was right there on my desktop- the fixtures list. The common perception of all the 'haters' (read people who are rooting for Chelsea to slip-up) is that Chelsea will have a tough time coping in January when our African players are off to play the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Hah! (and my sincere apologies for dashing your hopes... Not!). Here are our fixtures for January: Hull City (A), Sunderland (H), Birmingham City (H) and Burnley (A). Blimey! Surely the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard,Michael Ballack Ashley Cole, Carvalho, Deco, Joe Cole, Nicholas Anelka must be terrified of Burnley!  Another feel-good factor in this fixture list...imagine how it must be bugging Sir Alex. Also, we are going to send Stoke packing today. Chin-up all ye Chelsea fans for its a beautiful day.

This video never fails to amuse... positivity, yeah?

Derby Derailed

I am absolutely gutted. Carlos Tevez is injured and is almost certain to miss next week's Manchester derby. I mean did nothing good come out of the Argentina-Brazil match? Ever since, Tevez signed for City, I have been the relishing the prospect of the derby (had the date circled out on my calender, the 'do not disturb' sign handy, put champagne on my shopping list, the works!)! I don't know what the details of Tevez contract were and why Manchester United didn't or couldn't hold  on to such a wonderful, hard-working, absolute dynamo of a player. But I did feel the pain when Tevez who I think is a rare footballer and is respected, loved not only by his club fans but by all football fans regardless of their club loyalties. Fans who are lucky enough to have him play for his club 'love' him and those who don't have him (fans like me), are terrified of him but still love him. Carlos is also one of those footballer who tells the press exactly how he feels, call it naivety, lack of media savviness, insanity but its admirable all the same. He made it amply clear in interviews, time and again with tears in his eyes how badly he wanted to stay at United and how much he loved it there. He didn't want to leave England and how he wanted his kids to grow up there. He contributed to the United cause from the day he was signed till his last game as a United player. He kept hoping, I think till the very last day that United would renew his contract but  Manchester United were mean to him.  I was happy that he signed up for Manchester City (would have been happier if he was a Chelsea player though), and really wanted Tevez to make United pay for letting him go. To make them lose some more points. I think a lot of City fans will be feeling as disappointed and some United fans letting out a sigh of relief for they know what a Carlos Tevez (in a good mood) can do to the opposition let alone a revenge seeking Carlos Tevez. The silver lining is that there is always a next time and may be that will be an even worst time for United to slip up (can't help but think how nice a 6-point slip up will be). Oh well, shouldn't get so greedy but Carlos, you owe me 3 points off United (and may be you could take it a little easy on the 5th of December). Get well quick.