Sports Madness Week - 2

I know I'm rambling on a lot....but what to do? I love sports -playing them as much as watching them on tv or live. This time, I'm hooked to the Winter Olympics games. I know the time difference is a compromise with me having to stay up till late in the night. I know I was crazy to catch the opening ceremony at 3 in the morning, but it was well-worth the wait with breathtaking shows and displays. Hats off to the Italians and the organizing committee for putting up a great stage and capping it off with fireworks that lead to the lighting of the Olympic torch in the Stadio Olympico (yes, it's Lazio's and Roma's homeground.)

Of all the events, I grew to like the speed skating events. It's technical, it's skillful and it's a grace to see them skate on the skating rinks. I didn't realize South Korea was such a powerhouse with their world top-ranking athletes both in the men's and the women's. Another delight was the 5000m relay event where you have 4 skaters exchanging the race every 1,5 laps. It requires sublime change-off timings, skills and great technicality. I also caught glimpses of the slalom events, curling, high jumps, bobsled, dance skating, snowboarding, and the ice hockey games. I know I'll be waiting for the 2010 Vancouver games and following it more now that I know it's very interesting. =P

Also, mid-week, came the most anticipated matches of European football competition. It pits top English teams with top Spanish teams - Arsenal vs. Real Madrid and Chelsea vs. Barcelona.

I watched the Arsenal team reduced to its youngsters and make-shift backline. Regulars - Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole to Makeshift - Ebuoue, Toure, Senderos and Flamini. The oldest being Toure and the rest 21 and below. Surprisingly, they held up the Madrid Galacticos splendidly with teamwork and great concentrations. Marshalled by the giant German keeper Lehmann, the backline was stiff and sturdy, no signs of those shaky defending that costed them the losses in the EPL. The midfield also worked industriously with Gilberto, Ljungberg, Hleb, Reyes, and Fabregas, pouncing on every mistakes and every loose balls that were up for grabs. The front was commanded by the charismatic Thierry Henry who was not only an inspirational captain, but a world-class striker in his own right. Ronaldo meanwhile was left to find his own form and looked so lost in the game. He lost the ball to Henry who muscled and gazelled through 2 defenders before slotting in the only goal of the game to the far post of the outreaching Casillas. Casillas was the only true hero other than Beckham for Madrid for the score could have been worse off by 2 or 3 goals. Beckham had chances but misses and great defence frustrated him as you see him furl a piece of turf. Great competitiveness indeed. Even Raul came in late to help but couldn't get much support to the team. Robinho looked nowhere like the wonder-kid and looked more like a teen lost in a big boys game. Zidane couldn't get a touch, Reyes playing with the ball and outwitting Cicinho like a pro against an ordinary player, Gilberto and Hleb should be commended for locking down Zidane and Guti to their sub-par game and the whole Madrid team played like an amateur team, compared to the Arsenal team that produced great team-work and chemistry, holding on their own against the heavily-favored Madrid team at their homeground. Hopefully the return leg will produce another great showing from the Arsenal team.


Meanwhile, the other match pitted Chelsea against Barcelona - finesse vs. flair. The build up against this match was carried over from the last year's bitter loss suffered by the Barcelone camp. The pitch was left to deteriorate badly and looked like a muddy field, and drew complaints from the Barcelona side. It started great with Barcelona completely dominating possession and openings. Yet, no showing for goals. Nonetheless, the brilliant play of the young Argentine teen, Lionel Messi prove that Barcelona don't only rely on Ronaldinho or Eto'o. The electrifying teen terrorised the right flank which eventually caught on Del Horno's nerve and earning him the red-card for the bad challange. Crespo was nowhere effective and Drogba was only a slight improvement. Yet, second half saw the Chelsea team taking the lead through an own-goal by midfielder Motta. Valdes was unlucky to bump into motta as the ball trickled into the goalmouth. Equally bizzare is how Chelsea managed to concede the goal in the same manner. The usually firm and dependable captain Terry managed to flick a Ronaldinho free kick over the falling and grasping Petr Cech. As such the score was level in no time. Barcelona got hungry after the first goal and to show for the blunder, Terry cleared two sure goals from Ronaldinho and Eto'o. Even Messi managed to curl-in a left-footed shot that bounced off the bar. Then the moment of magic came alive at the feet of Ronaldinho - getting the ball in the middle of the park, he danced through the Chelsea midfield, zoom past a couple of players before releasing the advancing Henrik Larsson. Albeit the heavy pass, Larsson managed to pull back, passing it back to Marquez who delivered a beautifully weighted curved lob that met Eto'o's powerful glancing header past Cech. Scoreline read 2-1 and lasted til the end of the game. Deserving winners and hopefully they manage to contain Chelsea in Nou Camp in 2 weeks time.

So, the first legs saw two wonderful game...a teamwork with inspirational captain marvel winning against All-Star stud team, and flair and beautiful soccer (as the new Nike ad shows and ambassadored by Mr. Cantona) winning against finesse and confrontational money-rich team. Some scorelines that disappoints: Liverpool - Benfica (0 - 1), Werder Bremen - Juventus (3 - 2) the Old Lady facing some tough luck in Germany. AC Milan - Bayern Muenchen (1 - 1) Bianconero getting a last minute penalty, Inter - Ajax (2 - 2)

Two weeks time, I'll be having heavy eyes and deprivation of sleep again. But hopefull it'll be rewarded by amazing games with desired results... =P Arsenal drawing or winning in Highbury, Chelsea -hopefully losing- in Nou Camp. Liverpool beating Benfica and Juventus going on with a W. Hopefully Muenchen wins because I don't want to see another Juventus - Milan. And that's it for a sports madness week. Oooo did I forget to mention that Lions won against Iraq 2-0? hahaha....I think I'm slowly being turned Singaporean. and in the weekend, Asian Aeropsace will be a breathtaking experience with Airbus A380 on show, Apache (the meanest military chopper ever!!) F-15s, a couple other fighter jet and some other "smart" planes. Can't wait. Til the next report, I'm off cause my paws are hurting from typing =P