In Praise Of: The BBC

The BBC gets a lot of stick.  Sometimes justified, sometimes not.

Their football coverage is abysmal. Motson has lost the plot. Lineker is a smug twat. Reports also suggest that there are cancerous tumours with more personality than Alan Shearer. And whose punditry extendeds beyond "and then this happened. Then this happened"

BBC3 comedies are generally car crash telly at its worst, but at least they're trying to showcase new talent. Gavin and Stacey would testify to that.

On the hand, their new coverage is generally unequalled. I've never understood the constant praise for Channel 4 - while it may be in depth, as Jeremy Clarkson said to do the news on Channel 4 you just need to put on a paid of funny socks and read the Guardian out loud.

So, when they put on something worthy of the license fee on its own, they should get credit.

Last night BBC2 showed the feature length drama 'God on Trial'.  Based on what is likely an apocrophl tale in Auschwitz, it tells the tale of a group of Jewish prisoners who decide to put God on Trial for the crime of breaking the covenant he was supposed to hold with them.

What follows is almost a play.  More or less filmed in one setting, and featuring eloquent extended speeches as the characters mediate on the meaning of the covenant, their relationships with God – both personal and as a race, the meaning of free will and the writings of the Torah.  Is this simply another test of their faith, or have they been abandoned? 

The writing is first class, and the debate conjures images of the great discussions of Ancient Greece.  The author wrote an article on it in the Guardian previously about how it challenged his own Catholicism, and is well worth a read here

In the end the prisoners declare that God is guilty of breaking their convenant with him.  What shall we do now, one asks, shortly before ‘the selection’ among them are taken to the gas chambers.  Let us pray, they respond.

My Made Up Word Of The Day

velocitise (v) - to make something go really bloody quickly.

"I leaned forward and was velocitised out of my chair at a tremendous rate"

La Liga! Ay!

So, the 29th Olympic Games are over, and if we ignore the host country's questionable human rights record, we can say they were bloody brilliant. And it saddens me that the knowledge I've gleamed off sports like handball, diving, and gymnastics will now hibernate for another four summers.

And as surely as one cosmic sporting event ends, another takes its place. Except its not quite as exciting as it happens every year about 38 times, but nevertheless my favourite excuse for staying in Saturdays and Sundays is back, la Liga returns!

Its been a moderately busy summer, although in the case of Barcelona and Real Madrid perhaps not as busy as would have been expected, but here's a breakdown of the runners and riders...

Last year's champions, Real Madrid, won the league for the second year in a row, partly because of their ruthless efficiency in front of goal, partly because Barcelona were rubbish and Villarreal are a brilliant team until people realise that they're a brilliant team and start tipping them and they crumble like cheap apple pie - Villarreal are to title challenges what Sergio Garcia is to five foot putts in the last round of a major - and partly because in Iker Casillas they had the best keeper in La Liga. Madrid conceded more shots than any team in the league last year, yet conceded less goals than anyone. This tells us two things - Cannavaro is not the defender he was pre-Germany and Casillas is brilliant. It certainly wasn't because Schuster brought the free flowing football antedote of Cappello's 2006-07 vintage. The German seemed ill at ease throughout the season and it was only back in February when a summer departure seemed inevitable. But he is back, and he's bought Van der Vaart. The Dutchman is a good player, but he's likely to be no more that a rotating squad player. Make no mistake, Madrid were gunning for C.Ronaldo, and they've shot themselves in the foot by trying to move Robinho on to Chelsea at the same time. The talented Brazilian felt he was being forced out against his will, and now that Ronaldo isn't coming he feels second choice, and feels like he's being held from moving on. This is a player who's desire is questionable at the best of times, so pissing him off proably won't pay dividends. Madrid have also signed Ezequiel Garay from Racing - an undoubtedly promising centre half who we probably won't see much of this year. They still lack another striker up front - Raúl is enjoying an indian summer of sorts, and Ruud 'van Gol' is still a machine in the 18 yard box but they definitely need further support. David Villa was mentioned but looks to be staying at Valencia, Huntelaar has bags of potential and would be an ideal signing, and Zaragoza's Diego Milito has also been mentioned, but his woeful second half of the season at the relegated Aragonese side could have put most potential suitors off. Overall, they'll be title favourites, but they might get distracted by the prospect of 'la decima' - that elusive 10th European title.

Barcelona are an intriguing propsect. The strike against Rijkaard's team was that he was a good coach to have around when things went well, but that he wasn't the man when a strong foot needed to be put down. Mourinho could have been a great appointment for them - sure the football might not have been quite what they expected (but, how could a team featuring Messi, Xavi and Iniesta ever grind out boring 1-0 wins?), but he would have had a unified dressing room. It remains to be seen what happens to Eto'o, but getting Ronaldinho out can only be good for the squad. His influence on certain players is the reason Dos Santos was moved onto Spurs - while Giovanni is a great young player, he's nowhere near as good as he thinks he is. Deco will be missed more, but Iniesta is a more than capable, albeit different replacement in the centre of midfield. Too often last year the little Catalan maestro was stuck out on the wing to allow the three midfielders to play. Of their new signings the two former Sevilla players stick out - Dani Alves should be able to do what Zambrotta couldn't and merge the full back/winger rule into one position, while Keita will add more steel to the central midfielder. Alexandr "Dribbly McNoscore" Hleb was a strange signing and does exactly what Iniesta and Xavi already do, but without the threat of actually hitting a shot, while Caceres will be a decent squad player. More will be needed from Henry, but if he actually plays up front he might produce. A fit Messia and an older Bojan could rip most teams apart. If Guardiola gets it right, and the ghosts of the last two season are exorcised they could be unstoppable.

Villarreal are perhaps the most interesting of La Liga's top teams. They don't have the strength in depth to really compete on two fronts - it took them two seasons to cope with the Champions League run but on their day they are a job to watch. Pellegrini has done a fantastic job of merging experience (Pires) with young talent (Fernandes), and they should be up vying for Champions League qualification again. Ibagaza and Llorente are excellent signings from other La Liga teams and are both more than capable. Edmilson will add some experience, and should be back at his best. He's exactly the sort of player Villarreal do so well with - struggling at a big club they just need a more relaxed atmosphere to get back on track. Cáceres is a loss, and they'll also be desperate to hang on to Santi Cazorla who's been talking up a move to Madrd.

Atletico coped well with the loss of Torres to qualify for the Champions. Almost entirely because Kun Aguero emerged as a genuine world class player, and formed a lethal partnership with Diego Forlán. Their attacking was never in doubt. Atleti's problem last year was their defending was an effort worth of Shakespeare as it veered from comedy to tragedy every time the likes of Pablo had the ball. A situation unlikely to be resolved by the signing of Heitinga and Gregory Coupet. It all depends on Aguero continuing his form from last year. If he does they'll be up there again, and Kun's name wil be up there with Messi and Ronaldo.

Sevilla never recovered last year from the tragic death of Antonio Puerta. Not only did the team struggle to cope emotionally, but Puerta was a key part of their defence, and in all liklihood would have played at the Euros last summer. Losing Juande Ramos to Spurs shortly after didn't help, and its hard to see how they can come back to the stunning form they showed when they challenged for the title until the last game in 06/07. As well as losing Alves and Keita, midfield enforcer Poulsen has departed for Juve. No really big names have came in - Squillaci from Roma has probably been the biggest signing - and in all liklihood they'll struggle. They have a great strike force in Fabiano and Kanoute, although the Brazilian looked jaded and seemed desperate to move by the end of last season. A good start is key, but Champions League at a push is the best they'll get.

Racing will struggle to match last year's 6th place. They've lost the brilliant coach of Marcelino who took a team predicted to get relegated to Europe a season after he took Recre to the top half of the league, giving them two consecutive seasons at the top table for the first ever time, and beating Madrid 3-0 at the Bernabéu. They're also lost Garay, and its unlikely that history will repeat itself. A return to midtable mediocrity beckons.

To be continued...

McCommunism

I thought about doing something in relation to China and the Olympic Games, but Naomi Klein writes far more intelligently than I ever could here.

I'm quite conflicted. On one hand I love my sport and the Olympics is the pinnacle of that. For two weeks I'm glued to the big events like athletics, but I also develop a passion for others - track cycling (where the GB team should sweep the board), rowing, canoeing... You name it, hell even they gymnastics can be pretty interesting (when they're vaulting, not dancing). Everything apart from dressage. Which is clearly not a sport.

But they're in China. A country which takes the worst of authoritarian totalitarianism and capitalist consumerism. Its a insult to describe their human rights record as questionable. Its a moral disgrace. Its perhaps going over the top to invoke the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but its certainly not going too far to say this is the biggest Olympic propaganda exercise since. China is the new kid on the block - the debutante. The IOC may have said at the time the Olympics would put China under international pressure to change its ways, but we all know that's not going to happen. They're a disgrace.

Its not fair to put pressure on the athletes to boycott or protest. But if any do they'll have my support.

I wish someone would damage me existentially...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/05/internazionale.napoli?gusrc=rss&feed=football

the world, clearly, has gone crazy.

next time someone makes a disparaging mark about my hometown, their ass will be in court so quick that they'll be in contempt. or something.

The sense of humour gods strike again

Walking up Montjuic in Barcelona to discover that the Olympic museum is closed Mondays.

Glasgow Politics

I confidently predict Labour will hold Glasgow East in the upcoming election.

It should be noted that I've carried out no polling, nor have I spoke to any constituents or even carried out any analysis whatsoever.

Its based purely on the fact that the surname of the SNP candidate is Mason. That won't go down well out Parkhead way.

Great Ironic Moments in Music # 436

An Irish flag waves at T in the park whilst Feeder play a song entitled "We Are The People".

I'm not sure what's worse - that they wrote a song called that without knowing about how the phrase is generally used, or that they played it in Scotland. Surely they wouldn't be stupid enough to play it in Belfast the next time they play there?

Sid Lowe on the victorious Spanish

Imagine if you take an exoricism, but instead of one person having their demons, erm, well exorcised, imagine a whole country.

It seems thats what its like in Spain at the moment, where apparently a whole nation (well the middle bit at least - the support of Catalunya and the Basque Country remains up for debate*)

The always entertaining Sid Lowe writes about it here.


* How many Basques does it take to support Spain? Just one, as long as none of his friends find out.

Euro 2008

And so it comes to an end. After 22 days, and 30 games, there is but 1 remaining. And within a few hours, either Germany or Spain will be crowned deserving champions. Because, normally, that's who wins. Even in 2004 when Greece won and coined the term anti-football, as well as garnering respect and loathing in equal measure, sometimes even from the same sources.

But, the night is darkest before dawn, just as it was when the clean sheet fest that was Italia 90 led to the introduction of the backpass rule. Euro 2004 proved that you could win a football tourament without attacking, and Euro 2008 has proved that you can win one without defending. Looking at the defences, and particularly centre backs, before the tournament began, goals always seemed on the cards. The French had an ageing out of form Thuram and an error prone Gallas. Fabio Cannavaro was the reason Italy won the World Cup in 2006. When looking at the Dutch team, it wasn't the defenders that stood out. Even the finalists aren't steady at the back - Mertzelder and Mertesacker look unsteady and perpetually error prone, whilst Puyol and Marchena are accidents waiting to happen. While it easy to salute Puyol's ability to make the last ditch tackle and his full blooded commitment to every challenge, fewer mention that if he had any positional sense he wouldn't have to do so in the first place.

All this has lead to the most glorious tourament since at least Euro 2000, if not Mexico 86 (so I'm told), so here's a few standouts.

Player of the Tournament.

Andrei Arshavin brought his undoubted talent to the table, and the only surprise was that people were surprised by him. Anyone who has more than a passing interest in football outside the Premier League already knew that he was a gifted ball carrier. Suspended for the first two games, he was Russia's best player against Sweden, before giving the individual performance of the tournament against the Dutch. However, he was countered well by Spain, and a few pieces of genius aside never really looked in the game.

Player of the torunament for me then is one of the men who shackled him brilliantly. Marcos Senna may not be the glamour name in the Spanish XI, but without him they would not be in the final. He has been the lynchpin that has allowed the undoubted midfield genius of Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Cesc to do their thing. He has pulled the strings magnificently, not letting the opposition play, and releasing those in front of him into space with exquisite passing. Simply put, he is the player that Michael Carrick wishes he was, and even at the age of 32 would grace any stage with aplomb. It may be called the Makele role, but only one man in this tournament has been fit to grace it.

Individual performance of the tournament

Already mentioned above, but Arshavin was magnificent against the Netherlands, ripping them to shreds, and going past men at will.

Team performance of the tournament

A difficult one - Spain's semi final destruction of Russia, Germany tearing Portugal apart, Russia against the Dutch in the quarters. But the Netherland's destruction of France by 4 goals to 1 was a thing of counter attacking beauty. While their performance a few days before against Italy was a game to behold, the 3-0 victory was somewhat harsh on the Italians. There was no such luck involved 4 days later.

Goal of the tournament

Almost impossible to call - Sneijder's counter attacking goal against Italy, Ballack's moment of magic in an otherwise dull match against Austria, Ibrahamovic's strike against Greece, or even Nihat's second against Czech Republic but for me it was Sneijder's impudent strike against France that was the single best goal.

Lesson's not heeded

Never write off Turkey. Switerland, Czech Republic, Croatia, all thought they had them beat, but the Turks showed admirable determination to get to the semis, and were incredibly unlucky to go out in the semis after outclassing an off colour Germany.

Tactical call

Van Basten showing an admirable set of cojones by bringing on Robben and Van Persie to stop France getting the upper hand in a game where Holland were already 1-0 up. It made the match.

Biggest Disappointment

Easy. France. An idiot for a coach, it was a tournament too many for Thuram, Makele and Henry, and one too soon for Toulalan, Nasri, and Benzema. With the players coming through, they could be a real threat in South Africa in two years time.

Team of the tournament (in the fashionable 4-2-3-1)

Casillas (GK) - a majestic save against Italy kept the Spaniards in the match.

Lahm (RB) - better on the left, but sums up the tournament by being sumptious going forward and lacklustre at the back. A wonderful goal against Turkey.
Zhirkov (LB) - utter class, great coming forward and comfortable in possession. Would be an asset for any side.
Pepe (CB) - comfortable on the ball. A stand out defender (except at set plays)
Chiellini (CB) - not the fastest, but looked solid. Didn't play against Holland, but looked comfortable against France, Romania, and Spain.

Senna (DM) - for all the reasons above
Deco (CM) - the best Portuguese player in the tournament. Rarely wastes a pass, and seems to ahve more time on the ball than any other player. Makes the central midfield role look easy.

Arda (LW) - summed up his game, but beating his man within 5 seconds of kick off against Switzerland and capped a fine performance with a wonderful goal. Fast, skillful, with a massive bag of potential.
Sneijder (RW) - another contender for player of the tournament. Wonderful in posession, and scored two of the most memorable goals of the tournament.
Arshavin (SS) - an irrepressible genius. Makes everything look easy, and sure to be plying his trade on a bigger stage.

David Villa (ST) - started with a bang with a brilliant hat trick, before winning the game against Sweden. Quiet against Italy, but few strikers have brilliant games fighting their way through banks of 4 and 5, and was injured before getting into his stride against Russia. Even then, no real competition in terms of strikers.

Whoever wins tonight will ultimately be remembered as the champions of a truly great tournament, which will be a yardstick for years to come. Spain deserve it, and their midfield could have a field day against a weak German defence. Equally German's height at set plays will be factor, and Puyol and Marchena will need to be at their last gasp best.