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Almost as remarkable as the fact that the Premiership is, this week at least, Europe's strongest league, is this book's claim to be 'the first English language history of the Spanish game'. It's timely too, with interest in the Primera Liga at an all-time high here, what with one Englishman gainfully employed there ( admittedly by the European champions). Long time resident Ball describes 'morbo' as an untranslatable word denoting a rivalry which cannot be extinguished - 'needle' is a close approximation, but it hints at mischievousness too, the 'duende' of Spanish cliche. He cites Paul Gascoigne's flute work during Glasgow derbies as an example easily comprehended in Spain. Using the history of such relationships as a framework, he pursues his theory. The approach has some flaws. The concentration on Spanish football's great fueds, such as Barcelona versus Real madrid and the supposed class war (which he finds little trace of) between bourgeois Sevilla and proletarian Real Betis, overshadows the recent rise of Deportivo La Coruna and other less historic clubs. But this inhabitant of the basque lands adroitly explains the tormented political machinations behind the national side of a country containing two regions which covet independence to the extent of turning out representative sides. His iconoclasm regarding the role of FC Barcelona as a symbol of Catalan identity is refreshing too. Ball accurately points out that the 1973 ETA car bomb which killed Franco's anointed successor Carrero Blanco did more to destroy fascism in Spain than a thousand noisy crowds at the Nou camp. His description of Athletico Bilbao's expedient attitude to their famed 'Basque only' signing policy is equally revealing. Though an explanation of how a recent flood of television money has helped La Liga surpass Italy's Serie A is lacking, anecdotes such as how bercelona's hapless wannabe hooligans Boixos Nois accidentally named themselves 'The Boxwood Boys' after misspelling the word 'bojos', or 'crazy' to compensate. the author also plays beach football with a former international winger, the unforgettable (at least to a generation of giggling schoolboys) Miguel Lopez Ufarte. Touchingly Ball, obviously delighted to live somewhere where football is so good, confesses that he insisted his son be born in San Sebastian to give him a chance of appearing for Athletico Bilbao or real Sociedad. it's hard to imagine an English-domiciled Spaniard returning the favour. This is an excellent work Steve Jelbert. Still at no 7 in the top 10 so not so bad and a pretty good write-up eh fella?? Yours with biceps in trim and on the phone to the Pope Sister Mary Elephant Glenn maya@glennie.karoo.co.uk Hey folks what gives and where goes the thread?? Sunday morning..early dawning... Just got back from a brief sojourn in Eire having supped the black stuff with Padraig, Paddy and Peter...wandered along the Cliffs of Moher...danced a fine fandango and chilled in the Bogs of Bunnanadden with the family Gormanley... Topics up for discussion in the very near future include, 1. Frying tonite?? the story of Randy Weaver and Timothy McVeigh with help from the transvestite bandits of Arkansas 2. Which way to vote, election fever and roll on June the 7th 3. Alaves, Arsenal and the near death experience that is following GTFC 4. Kiwi prodigy takes Cleethorpes by storm, Di Venuto is back with yo-yo type performances and the Son of Rodney carves a niche of his own 5. 4 days camping it up at cambridge with folkies. 6. Hot hot hot........... 7. Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Neil Young at Sheffield 8. Perry Como...........?? Please feel free to add to any topics that are pertinent and need our attention but it's too nice a day to sit in front of this hunk of plastic and pentium Yarbles to all Hairy Maclary
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