Long hair on the pitch

Posted 17 Jun 2010

Football/Soccer, People, Weird | 4 Comments 

(1) Let’s define “long hair” for males as hair that is 3 inches long or longer.

(2) Out of the entire world’s male population from the ages 18 – 35, a certain unknown percentage of men will have “long hair” on their heads, according to our definition.

Given (1) and (2), would you estimate that the percentage of male professional soccer players in the world with “long hair” on their heads is greater than the overall percentage of men (age 18 – 35) with “long hair” on their heads?

If so, why? If not, why not?

Spanish Commentating

Posted 14 Jun 2010

Football/Soccer, Language | 6 Comments 

Well, we told you that we’d be distracted by it, and today’s post is a continuation of the quirky World Cup related posts.

As I sat happily watching the matches this afternoon, I found myself longing for a Spanish-speaking channel broadcasting the games. In my opinion, the energy, flair, excitement and clear passion for the game with which Spanish-speaking commentators approach the game is just so much more captivating than any of the English-speaking commentators I’ve heard. Perhaps I’m watching the wrong channels, but for me, I always enjoy the game a lot more when I get to watch it with Spanish commentary.

Somehow, while I am here in India it’s not likely that I’ll be able to satisfy that desire.

Sharing a room with 87,547 people

Posted 2 Apr 2009

Football/Soccer, People, Places | 4 Comments 

I was fortunate enough to have a ticket to last night’s football match between England and the Ukraine. Played at Wembley Stadium (England’s national football arena), the stadium itself is just massive. The official attendance level was 87,548. Take a look at the video to see just how big a room that holds 90,000 is.

By way of comparison, think about how big a room you would need if you were to have a party for 87 people at your house. Or how many toilets you would need. Or how much food. It’s pretty staggering to think that Wembley Stadium can comfortably seat 90,000 – and that doesn’t include all the staff working the match either!

Tuning in the telly

Posted 17 Jul 2008

Daily Life, Football/Soccer | 4 Comments 

So, here’s how I imagine the conversation in Flat 2F, near the Old Street Tube Station:

Wife: Do you really have to watch the football now?

Husband: Yes … and if I could only get the stupid channel tuned in, I could watch it.

Wife: Did you remember to adjust the antenna on the roof?

Husband: (Sighs loudly) Yes!

Wife: Well, Emma and James just told me that they have it coming on perfectly next door. Are you sure you tuned the antenna in the right direction?

Husband: (in a loud voice) Yes!

Wife: Do you maybe just want to double-check? It would only take a minute to pop up to the roof and see.

Husband: I told you, I’ve already tuned it properly.

Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the husband never did get the match tuned in properly that night.

Climate control

Posted 31 May 2008

Commuting, Football/Soccer, The Little Things | 3 Comments 

The other day I was in a taxi (private hire, versus London-cabbie style) with several friends, riding to the England-USA football (soccer) match at the new Wembley Stadium. (Yes, the US lost. No, I wasn’t pleased.) Now this particular taxi was upscale – an S-class Mercedes – but even so, the temperature inside the car became warm and sticky as we zipped down the motorway. This was not comfortable. Yet, us guys endured the discomfort until at last I asked for a window to be cracked to let in some air. ‘Ah, yes, it is a bit warm in here. I thought it was just me, so thanks for saying something,’ mumbled one of the guys in the car.

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