Sunday 11 July 2010

Octopodes rule (The Digestive issue 4)


When you sit down and decide to write a weekly digest of everything that has appeared in your blog nobody ever says – hey, watch out, that week will go really quickly and soon you’ll be stumbling from digest to digest like some sort of crazy serial eater.

So if, dear reader, you are thinking about starting a weekly digest on your blog – watch out! That week will go really quickly and soon you’ll be stumbling from digest to digest like some sort of crazy serial eater.

Another week has rushed past, my life seems to be counting down in bite sized pieces and here we are The Digestive issue 4 – all the best from the past week.

A past week dominated by tests, those that you can spend fifteen years preparing for and still fail, others that demand only four years of your time but which can also end in humiliation.

But, rejoice, the first was not failed and lead to an almost perfect day, the second that comes to a colourful climax tonight as Spain and Holland battle artistically for the right to raise the World Cup.

Some are champions in their own backyard; some will be champions of the world.

Other than that, thoughts this week have been among the fish, shells and sand of the Mediterranean Sea.

A very fine place to be.

7 comments:

Janet Bianchini said...

Where do the weeks go? Digestive Issue 4 already!!

I have just completed the World Cup quiz. I'm looking forward to a great match with lots of goals, hopefully.

Anne said...

Curious to see how you all comment the final. Call me naive, but I was quite turned off by the number of fouls and lack of goals.

popps said...

Anne, i thought it brilliant - you have to understand the way Spain play is a philospohy.
If you control the ball you win the game.
So they hold it as long as possible and wait for an opening.
Holland decided to defend against this, hope for a lucky break away and if not survive to and then win, on penalties.
Spain decided - we are going to win the game.
So inevitably the game is pass, pass, pass, move, pass, run, move pass, defend , defend , defend, run.
It's like chess.
The joy is watching the movement.
The probing.
Spanish players are so good at controlling the ball the opposition end up committing a lot of fouls.
plus there was an attempt at early intimidation.
And maybe the Ref didn't stamp hard enough, early enough.
Then there ere the subplots - the two opposing players with an opportunity to end as top scorer.
The Dutch player who retires after the game - it was his last.
And the nutmeg.
Possession 67 per cent spain.
33 per cent Holland.
and then there was the question - will the Octopus do it again!!

Anne Hodgson said...

The nutmeg? - Thanks, that all makes sense. Seeing Spain play Germany was a lot more fun, there even I recognized the strategy and was utterly fascinated. With the Dutch it was such a butchershop. So you see, I'm still a trainee football spectator. Thanks for your various tutorials.
I loved the World Cup this time around - again - and also look forward to 2014 :)

Anne Hodgson said...

Oh, it's called nutmeg!

Janet Bianchini said...

I had no idea about the nutmeg! Thanks Anne for the video.

The final could have been more exciting and more goals would have been good.

I just wished I could have been in Madrid to join in all the celebrations last night!

popps said...

janet , well done for completing the quiz - very few did!
Only i,432 days to go until the next world cup!