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It’s On Again!
By Toyin | August 13, 2009
It starts again this weekend and particularly for the fans of the Premiership; adrenalin starts pumping all over again. Can we ever get enough of it? I mean football, European leagues specifically has taken a new dimension within the comity of lovers of the game. As a matter of fact, the less than three months break from real action has taken its toll on some of us-we became bored to the bones!
After the euphoria of players moving from one team to the other and the crazy amounts of money involved, it’s time to get on the field of play and set the ball rolling. I’m sure most of you guys out there still expect your various teams to make one addition or the other. Don’t worry; the window won’t close until midnight on August 31, 2009. By then, some of the clubs, especially the ones in England and Germany would have played at least four matches.
Early pacesetters in the champions league would have played the qualifying legs for the group stage of the competition and something tells me we might have some shocking results in the process. While Arsenal and Celtic are paired together, other teams across Europe will trade tackles to determine who qualifies for the honey pot that the group stage has become in the past six years. This season, I will attempt to make quality previews of major matches in Europe as well as Africa.
One thing that never cease to amaze me is the level of interest in the game in Nigeria. It’s unbelievable what fans do to support their teams. I remember the finals of the champions league between Chelsea and Manchester United a couple of seasons back when some fans of the former bought a cow, painted it red and claimed it represented the Red Devils. It was meant to be slaughtered for the big celebration after the match. Unfortunatley, Chelsea lost and the boys had to sell the cow at a ridiculous discount to the Mallam they purchased it from. I guess the defeat removed their teeth and they couldn’t afford the ‘luxury’ of chewing meat afterwards!
Earlier in the day when I got back from my office and was taking my usual stroll to my brother’s salon to relax with friends, I met some young ladies on my way who wore Chelsea jerseys. One of them caught my attention as she was dressed in an indecent manner and had her buttocks exposed. But that’s not the catch; her buttocks were painted in white and blue!
Just like in Europe where organized betting system is in place for the strong hearted, many fans in the country place bets on their teams to win this or that. They even wager on which team will win the first corner kick, take the first throw-in, play he first free-kick etc; amazing! To really show that they are as tough a fan as it comes, some place a bet with their mobile phones!
So, we are back on familiar territories and the excitement will continue to brew until it reaches a crescendo and pulsates the hearts of many addicted to the game. I can’t wait to talk, laugh and scream again!
The promise that the season holds in stock for most of these clubs will only crystallize towards the mid season but the fans never fails to rub it in even when only a few matches have been played. When the business end of the league appears on the horizon, some learn to quiet down and face the reality of the failure of their teams for another season. Others gloat and rejoice over their ‘achievements’ and won’t allow the rest of us to rest!
Welcome to the beginning of another roller coaster ride in the world of football; welcome to the ‘main’ sport: Football- the best of them!
Topics: Biz Football, Bundesliga, Crazy Fans, Premiership, Success Pills, Who Will Win |
August 17th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
We are in for exciting times again and the start of the EPL didn’t disappoint. What with six away wins? It’s adrenalin time again and may the best team win!
August 17th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
For me, I hope this season will be for Arsenal; up Gunners!