With all condolences to my future-yet-to-be-determined wife I think I just gave away my rights to my first born son. I am still learning this language, but I heard the guy say "me das" and "primer hijo" in the same sentence. I know it's crazy to offer your first born son for anything, right? Well this isn't just anything, this is a ticket to a La Liga futbol game. These tickets are hard to come by. Sevilla is the local team in the city where I am studying and they are in the top division in Spain. Real Madrid is also in the top division in Spain but they are perhaps the best known club team in America because of their recent additions of Cristiano Ronaldo (from Portugal) and Kaká (from Brazil). Still haven't heard of them? How can I say this so everyone understands better.
Soccer here is as big if not bigger than college football in the South. Seriously. I was in a restaurant/bar (all restaurants serve beer and all bars have food so there's really no difference) watching the Sevilla game on TV last Sunday. There was actual tension in the room throughout the game and when Sevilla would score the place went absolutely nuts. Even when they scored their final goal to lead 4-0 the place went crazy. I can't even imagine what it must be like to actually be in the stadium.
Two teams that perennially lead La Liga (the top Spanish division) are Barcelona, who won everything last year, and Real Madrid. This year they are still at the top of the division, but one spot behind them is Sevilla. Everyone is talking in Spain about how this might be the year that Sevilla upsets one of them and takes 1st or 2nd place.
The best comparison I can think of is from the Big 12 South in college football. Every year Texas and Oklahoma are the favorites and it almost always comes down to their game in October that decides who will represent the South in the Big 12 title game. Suppose one year Texas Tech was right behind them in the standings and still had to play both of them. Assume Texas is coming into Texas Tech this weekend and if Texas Tech wins they will control their destiny over Texas. How rowdy will that stadium be before kickoff and during the game if it stays close? That is exactly the way Sevilla will be this weekend. And I will be on the 5th row to experience it!
I don't really think Sevilla is as good as Real Madrid. I watched RM on TV last night and they make precise passes with their feet that Steve Nash would have trouble making with his hands. How they stop a ball dead like they are catching it is beyond me. But, if Sevilla keeps the game close throughout I think the stadium will get louder and louder, RM will get tighter, and this gives them a better chance.
Oh, and like college football they don't sell beer in the stadium because they feel like the fans are crazy enough. How cool is that. I have explained our tactics of modifying cokes in stadiums but most around here have never done that.
Again, my mistake on the first born son thing but I bet you all understand now. The guy that sold me the ticket had a bunch of 5 year olds running around. Oddly enough the last time Sevilla had a game this big was about 6 years ago. What a coincidence.
I think you have been out of the South too long. NOTHING compares to an SEC showdown... but with that said, I am glad you got a ticket and I wish your first son well with his new father. LOL
ReplyDeleteWell with gene selection you can make sure you don't father a son. Modifying a coke? I know not of what you speak. Who would alter what is arguably the most perfect beverage on Earth? ;-)
ReplyDelete