|
EUSKADI 5-1 NIGERIA
Fine festive football in
Bilbao
38,000 fans almost
filled San Mames and were treated to a spectacular display* by Euskadi in the
yearly Christmas game that recovered its festive spirit on its return to 1 The
Cathedral'. Nigeria had promised to come with its full squad but in the end
various of its top players were absent. Finidi George, Kanu and Okocha did not
play for different reasons but Taribo West and Amunike as well as Mutiu from
Real Sociedad were present. The case of Amunike is 'curious as Barcelona have
registered him as physically unfit to play football. The undoubted quality of
the Basque players and their commitment to the colours of the Ikurrma soon
became evident and Julen Guerrero put the home side in front in the sixth
minute. Euskadi dominated from that moment on but the 'Green Eagles' drew*
level after 20 minutes with a goal from the edge of the area from Julius. It
wasn't until the second half and after many substitutions that the team was
able to convert its many chances into goals. Mendieta, De Paula (twice) and De
Pedro all scored in a fine second half display of aggressive, attacking
football that had the crowd calling for more. After the game Mutiu commented
that, "Euskadi's performance hasn 't surprised me as the team has top players
from the Spanish league." The anecdote of the game occurred when Sodje came on
as a substitute and refused to take off his headscarf. Accustomed to wearing it
each game in England, he didn't understand the referee's insistence in applying
the regulations so strictly, |
|
THE ARGENTINE CONNECTION BEGINS TO WORK
Four consecutive victories in the
ACB give credibility to Lamas
With both a trainer and a captain from the other side of the
pond* and with a new, player that promises great things (and who also heralds
from the land of the Gauchos), the latest version ofBaskonia has a diferent
feel. Lamas, Espil and Oberto (as well as No-cioni who is still waiting for his
Italian nationalisation papers) give TAU a distinct touch in a league where the
quality foreigner generally comes from East Europe. By next year, when Nocioni
finally sorts out* his papers and Scola returns from his loan period in Girona,
Baskonia will almost be able to play with a completely Argentine team. On the
court the Lamas era has seen a bad start followed by a solid improvement* that
now makes Baskonia one of the favourites again to win both league and cup.
Lamas has imposed more order in the team's play and Bennet has been one of the
improvements. He now has a reference on the bench* that helps him control the
game (and his instincts) better. Oberto arrived to fill the interior and seems
to have adapted quickly to the ACB. His rebounds and baskets will make or break
the new TAU. More victories like that against Real Madrid and a good
performance in the King's Cup (i.e. winning it) would confirm what promises to
be a winning 'Argentine Connection'
 |
|
UNANUE BEATS EUGI TO WIN THE FOUR AND A
HALF
The Gipuzkoan surprises the
experts and wins easily (22-11)
Many anaylists described the match as a battle between two
different styles. Eugi, from the old school, against Unanue, more aggre-sive
and one-handed yet more spectacular. The anaylists were also unanimous in the
prediction of the result - Eugi to win. On the day the left hand of Unanue was
worth* more than the two arms of Eugi. The initial betting* was in favour of
the Navarran (1,000 to 200 duros) and he started better than Unanue (2-6).
However, it seemed that Unanue wanted revenge for the defeat against Eugi
earlier in the tournament and he started to serve* well and play aggressively
at the front of the court. He played the two walls cleverly and soon the score
was very different - 14-9. Eugi was never at the same level as Unanue and his
face was full of disappointment when the Gipuzkaon finished brilliantly to win
22-11. The representative of the old school congratulated the delighted winner,
who added the short court txapela to his list of titles.
 |
|
|
THE NEW "RUIZ DE
LOPERA"
Manuel Ruiz de Lopera
opened the "Manuel Ruiz de Lopera" stadium on New Year's Day. The president
ofBetis declared that it was the "best stadium in the world." The work on the
stadium will not be completed for another two years. |
|
'VOICE OF
CYCLING' DIES
Pedro
Gonzalez, cycling commentator on TVE, died of a heart attack at his home in
Torrelodones just as the New Year was starting. The commentator, who started
his carrer on Radio Nacional Espanola before becoming the face of cycling on
TVE, had celebrated the New Year with his family at home. Pedro Delgado,
colleague of Gonzalez on TVE, described him as a "kind, hard-working person
owho was agreat specialist in the sport" |
