Cypriot besiktas 6- Golden Codgers 1
Deus non irridetur. Quae enim seminaverit homo, haec et metet. You can't fool God. What a man sows that he will ripe.
The God of football did not show his benign face two days ago , when the Codgers faced the Cypriot Besiktas away from the comfortable home pitch of Sakarya. There -at the University pitch- the God of football could set his trap: he gave to the pitch surface the shape of an old rag, he turned the ball in a bouncing trap and seemed to laugh at the players by making the goal bigger for the opposition and smaller (the Codgers hit the bar for three times and missed four chances by inches) for the heroes. The titanic effort of our modern Ulysses ended up in a hopeless effort in the vagaries of a match which never looked as friendly. Only Ahmet- perhaps because the cream he put on repelled men as well as god- managed to tame the beast and scored one goal. But then the darkness fell upon the Codgers in the shape of 6 goals sounding as a well deserved punishment. Not even the great Can -who was playing his last match for the Codgers for he signed a contract with the professional MTG Magusa (good luck, we will always be your first fans!!!!)- could dispel the enchantment of the defeat casted upon the Codgers.
Will the spell ever be broken? Will the God of football be appeased with this defeat? Will the return to the well-known and friendly pitch of Sakarya be enough to be again victorious? Next thursday will bring with it the answer to all these questions....
Friday 8 October 2010
Thursday 7 October 2010
THE TIME IS NOT OUT OF JOINT ANYMORE...
A long summer of despair and separation, of no ball bouncing on the grass, of waka-waka without Amin shooting or Ravi twinsting and turning is on the verge of being put behind our back. The Codgers are back; the news will elicit joy and envy on both side of the Atlantic, a proof of our growing success, if not as footballers, at least as foot-bohemiennes.
Good news is that the Codgers are still here and ready to play; old faces, old friends: some will be sitting on on their parkbench like bookbend far away from Cyprus (from Qatar to Connecticut); others will fly the flag of the Codgers entering the pitch with new streght and vigour. Once more unto the breach, my friends! Can "El Gato", Ahmet the "Padrino" Usta, Ersan and Ersoy "the lethal Twins", Amin "the Machine" Momeni, Luca "The Sultan" Zavagno and Ali "The Prince of Persia" Levjardipour, will do their best to have fun and to run after the ball with the passion of the long-lost boyhood. Indeed, to borrow a quote from the recent Nobel prize for Literature,Mario Vargas Losas, playing football is like "writing a book: for one hour or so are totally cut off from the rest of the world, submerged in your obsessions and memories".
Long Life to the Codgers!!!!!
Good news is that the Codgers are still here and ready to play; old faces, old friends: some will be sitting on on their parkbench like bookbend far away from Cyprus (from Qatar to Connecticut); others will fly the flag of the Codgers entering the pitch with new streght and vigour. Once more unto the breach, my friends! Can "El Gato", Ahmet the "Padrino" Usta, Ersan and Ersoy "the lethal Twins", Amin "the Machine" Momeni, Luca "The Sultan" Zavagno and Ali "The Prince of Persia" Levjardipour, will do their best to have fun and to run after the ball with the passion of the long-lost boyhood. Indeed, to borrow a quote from the recent Nobel prize for Literature,Mario Vargas Losas, playing football is like "writing a book: for one hour or so are totally cut off from the rest of the world, submerged in your obsessions and memories".
Long Life to the Codgers!!!!!
Sunday 20 June 2010
IRANIAN ARRANGEMENTS FOR RAVI'S FAREWELL
GOLDEN CODGERS 18- EHL 13
The ball turns, the world turns, friends are coming, friends are leaving, but there is absolutely no question, however, that friendship -as the world today- revolves around a spinning ball. It is the passion we shared that brought us to play together for an entire semester; it is the idea that football is a joy for the eye as well as a feast for the body and the spirit that led us to toss around a pitch in all weathers. Now we are challenged by the good memories that Ravi's departure for the States (and tomorrow Matthew and Will's ones) sadly triggers on us; but we must keep in mind the amusement the different styles, expressions of the personality of each player, elicited during the last few months. In days of uniformity and obligatory conformation diversity is felt as more than necessary; and nothing can summarize it better than the last goal of Ravi with the Codgers: Amin to AliReza form Iran who sprinted in zig-zags on the field and set the "glide from Connecticut", who smoothly placed the ball in the goal reminiscing of Truman Capote' In Cold Blood. "IRANIAN ARRANGEMENT FOR RAVI" was the lucid prose Amin used to comment the outstanding goal. A real homage to football, a celebration of its multicolor and peaceful lights and the celebration of friendship and his beauties. No shadows this time: and not only because of the last hurray the Codgers managed to shout on the pitch; but more than ever for the happiness of the cheerful moments spent together.
The blogger speaks not only for himself- I hope- when saying that we played because we were and continued to be; we will always be in that pitch if not in flesh and bones, in sun and shadow; each in its style affirming the right of being different but also equal in friendship. In waving goodbye to all the Codgers there is sadness and melancholy, but nevertheless the unfathomable joy a German theologian found in all children: "I wouldn't explain happyness; I'd toss a child a ball and let him play".
The ball turns, the world turns, friends are coming, friends are leaving, but there is absolutely no question, however, that friendship -as the world today- revolves around a spinning ball. It is the passion we shared that brought us to play together for an entire semester; it is the idea that football is a joy for the eye as well as a feast for the body and the spirit that led us to toss around a pitch in all weathers. Now we are challenged by the good memories that Ravi's departure for the States (and tomorrow Matthew and Will's ones) sadly triggers on us; but we must keep in mind the amusement the different styles, expressions of the personality of each player, elicited during the last few months. In days of uniformity and obligatory conformation diversity is felt as more than necessary; and nothing can summarize it better than the last goal of Ravi with the Codgers: Amin to AliReza form Iran who sprinted in zig-zags on the field and set the "glide from Connecticut", who smoothly placed the ball in the goal reminiscing of Truman Capote' In Cold Blood. "IRANIAN ARRANGEMENT FOR RAVI" was the lucid prose Amin used to comment the outstanding goal. A real homage to football, a celebration of its multicolor and peaceful lights and the celebration of friendship and his beauties. No shadows this time: and not only because of the last hurray the Codgers managed to shout on the pitch; but more than ever for the happiness of the cheerful moments spent together.
The blogger speaks not only for himself- I hope- when saying that we played because we were and continued to be; we will always be in that pitch if not in flesh and bones, in sun and shadow; each in its style affirming the right of being different but also equal in friendship. In waving goodbye to all the Codgers there is sadness and melancholy, but nevertheless the unfathomable joy a German theologian found in all children: "I wouldn't explain happyness; I'd toss a child a ball and let him play".
Monday 31 May 2010
Puskas, Yashin and a middle-age man bicycle kick..
Golden Codgers 11- TTDpt 13
The Codgers lost again. But the commentator today prefers to focus on the the sky above the grey clouds of defeat, and describe three moments of great football; two poems and a scherzo which were written on the pitch of Sakarya in last night match.
The first moment happened when Ravi decided to use the ball as a pen and note down a compassionate and moving kick with his right foot after receiving the ball from Luca at the right edge of the box. Puskas, the mythical Hungarian striker in the 50's world cup, mirrored in the cannonball Ravi shot which landed in the upper right corner of the net, while the keeper was unable even to gaze it.
The second sonnet was written by the Codger's keeper, Can, who trapped and shredded any projectile moving his body as a spider edging on the webs of its net. Yashin, the giant goalkeeper of 60's USSR, was believed to deflect the ball with a glance while remaining motionless; Can, to the contrary, liked to blink his eyes like the wings of a butterfly literally flying from post to post to hypnotize the opposing striker.
Losing with a smile is the main characteristic of the Codgers, their coat of arms...and a smile was painted on everybody's faces when Will commented upon a brave but goofy bicycle kick performed by Luca, the medievalist of the group: "Very good...for a middle-age man...".
A sentence which epitomized the essence of the football as played by these scholars, gentlemen and fans of good football; now that the season is over and the team is going to disband, with almost all the players leaving for other challenges and other countries, only the good memories will be left. The laughs and the cries, the goals and the saves, the losses and the victories will all stay with us forever; as will the twists and turns of Ravi whose testimonial, the last game with the Codgers of the Poet navigating in a Drunken Boat, will be tomorrow at 9. Tears will be shed and dropped on the pitch; but the spirit of the Codgers will never abandon him or us. Forever. A friendship bound in football with the pleasure of a game played together and the 'irreparable melancholy we all feel at the end of the game'.
The Codgers lost again. But the commentator today prefers to focus on the the sky above the grey clouds of defeat, and describe three moments of great football; two poems and a scherzo which were written on the pitch of Sakarya in last night match.
The first moment happened when Ravi decided to use the ball as a pen and note down a compassionate and moving kick with his right foot after receiving the ball from Luca at the right edge of the box. Puskas, the mythical Hungarian striker in the 50's world cup, mirrored in the cannonball Ravi shot which landed in the upper right corner of the net, while the keeper was unable even to gaze it.
The second sonnet was written by the Codger's keeper, Can, who trapped and shredded any projectile moving his body as a spider edging on the webs of its net. Yashin, the giant goalkeeper of 60's USSR, was believed to deflect the ball with a glance while remaining motionless; Can, to the contrary, liked to blink his eyes like the wings of a butterfly literally flying from post to post to hypnotize the opposing striker.
Losing with a smile is the main characteristic of the Codgers, their coat of arms...and a smile was painted on everybody's faces when Will commented upon a brave but goofy bicycle kick performed by Luca, the medievalist of the group: "Very good...for a middle-age man...".
A sentence which epitomized the essence of the football as played by these scholars, gentlemen and fans of good football; now that the season is over and the team is going to disband, with almost all the players leaving for other challenges and other countries, only the good memories will be left. The laughs and the cries, the goals and the saves, the losses and the victories will all stay with us forever; as will the twists and turns of Ravi whose testimonial, the last game with the Codgers of the Poet navigating in a Drunken Boat, will be tomorrow at 9. Tears will be shed and dropped on the pitch; but the spirit of the Codgers will never abandon him or us. Forever. A friendship bound in football with the pleasure of a game played together and the 'irreparable melancholy we all feel at the end of the game'.
Sunday 30 May 2010
A LOSING STRETCH? CHASING CHICKENS SOMETIMES MAY BE HELPFUL
GOLDEN CODGERS 25-EHL 28
During the '24 Olympics, the journalists wanted to know the secret that allowed the Uruguayan players to cast witchcraft turning the rivals in stone and leading them to crushing victory against the opponent of the hour. Through an interpreter they revealed the formula: the players trained by chasing chickens that fled making S's on the ground. True or not the news made to the newspapers all over the world.
Maybe the Codgers won't need to chase chickens but they need to find a way through the swamp of enemy legs and ringlet of feet which yesterday- condemned them to the fourth defeat in a row against the EHL boys. It is true that occult forces are plotting against the Codgers since to Michael (who recently become the proud father of Ara...BEST wishes to him from all the team) and Amin (two papers to be ready by Monday threw a span in the Machine's wheels), who were already lost to the cause, one should add the pulled hamstring of Ahmet who injured himself when the Codgers looked in control (leading by two goals). Limping towards the net, courageous as it is, is not the best way to trouble the EHL defense. The result was the deluge of goals which thundered into Can's net, nullifying the efforts and the goals scored by Will (4), Luca (3), Ravi (10) and Ahmet (8). The damage of another loss could not simply be averted. And the witches of losing still fly over the head of the Codgers. What to find the road to the victory again? Maybe following the chickens could help....
During the '24 Olympics, the journalists wanted to know the secret that allowed the Uruguayan players to cast witchcraft turning the rivals in stone and leading them to crushing victory against the opponent of the hour. Through an interpreter they revealed the formula: the players trained by chasing chickens that fled making S's on the ground. True or not the news made to the newspapers all over the world.
Maybe the Codgers won't need to chase chickens but they need to find a way through the swamp of enemy legs and ringlet of feet which yesterday- condemned them to the fourth defeat in a row against the EHL boys. It is true that occult forces are plotting against the Codgers since to Michael (who recently become the proud father of Ara...BEST wishes to him from all the team) and Amin (two papers to be ready by Monday threw a span in the Machine's wheels), who were already lost to the cause, one should add the pulled hamstring of Ahmet who injured himself when the Codgers looked in control (leading by two goals). Limping towards the net, courageous as it is, is not the best way to trouble the EHL defense. The result was the deluge of goals which thundered into Can's net, nullifying the efforts and the goals scored by Will (4), Luca (3), Ravi (10) and Ahmet (8). The damage of another loss could not simply be averted. And the witches of losing still fly over the head of the Codgers. What to find the road to the victory again? Maybe following the chickens could help....
Thursday 27 May 2010
THE WORLD AT THE CODGER'S FEET...AND THE FEET OF THE CODGERS FOR RAVI
Last friday, football at its finest was seen at the Sakarya pitch, where the Codgers challenged a selection of the best (available at that moment...) players in the world; it was a real feast of colors, friendship and goals, 10 all scored by the Codgers who literally annihilated the Rest of the World Selection (bolstered by Luca due to the defection of Ahmet and Fatih) which included players from Italy (Daniele and Osea), England (honorary) (Marios), Cyprus (Petros) and Tirkey (Ersan). Ravi and Amin got the lion's share scoring 5 and 4 goals each, whereas Will provided the cream on the top of the cake hitting the net with a slimy and wry shot with his deadly left foot.
It must be mentioned, however, that Can bolstered the Codger's victory with two or three saves that could really go down in history for beauty and class.
But new and more challenging moments are waiting for our heroes in the next few days; the Codgers' schedule is quite full indeed:
Friday 28 May 22 o'clock- Sakarya Pitch EHL Boys-Codgers
Sunday 30 May 20 o'clock- Sakarya Pitch Turkish Translation Dept.-Codgers
Tuesday 1 July to be announced- Sakarya Pitch RAVI FAIRWELL GAME
Stay tuned for the chronicle of all these game, and for the pictures of the unbelievable game against the Rest of the World.
It must be mentioned, however, that Can bolstered the Codger's victory with two or three saves that could really go down in history for beauty and class.
But new and more challenging moments are waiting for our heroes in the next few days; the Codgers' schedule is quite full indeed:
Friday 28 May 22 o'clock- Sakarya Pitch EHL Boys-Codgers
Sunday 30 May 20 o'clock- Sakarya Pitch Turkish Translation Dept.-Codgers
Tuesday 1 July to be announced- Sakarya Pitch RAVI FAIRWELL GAME
Stay tuned for the chronicle of all these game, and for the pictures of the unbelievable game against the Rest of the World.
Friday 21 May 2010
TRAVELLING AROUND FOOTBALL IN 6 NATIONS
Special exhibitor match for the Codgers today at Sakarya's pitch. For the first (and last) time, our heroes will face the Rest of the World (a team including players and former players...from Italy, Cyprus, England and Turkey). If we included our heroes in the picture, we are going to follow in the steps of Philias Fogg and travel the around the foot-ball in 6 nations...See you at 18!!!!
Friday 14 May 2010
A TALE OF BRAVE PASSION AND THE RULES OF THE GAME
Golden Codgers 32-EHL 33
The match played by the Codgers- after one week of almost-no-football purgatory- was highly expected to bring the heaven of victory after a ruinous spell of devilish losses. Instead, the game will go down in history for two main episodes which should remind the reader of the past of football. Indeed, in its modern form football comes from a gentleman’s agreement signed in a London tavern in 1863. It was only in the 1872 that the Referee mad his appearance for the first time. Until the the players judged and sanctioned the fouls committed on the pitch; yesterday the spirit of those glorious day has been highly missed on the pitch where the fans witnessed a harsh and unfriendly game. Indeed, the match sometimes resembled a scene of a butchery with Will’s parts ungenerously grabbed and hooked like raw meat, harsh tackles hitting down Luca and stubborn pushes aiming at pinning Ravi down all flying like crows. The match became so uptight that the unanimous pledge for a referee came out almost unanimously from both sides; men were shooting down with wet powder but the Codgers battled like lions, even coming back from nine goals behind almost to make the gladiatorial fight even, but eventually succumbing again for one single goal.
As always happens however, an heroic tale includes and unfolds another epic story: among the seven heroes, the pride of place gallantly belongs to Codgers’goalkeeper , Can, who injured his right wrist badly, but nevertheless decided to keep on defending the goal (literally) single handy. Here, the people who are too young to remember, must be reminded of the impression left by Beckenbauer in 1970 World Cup battled to the final minutes of the semi-final against Italy with one arm in a sling; like Can he will be committed to memory as going from mutilation to the splendour of football!
The match played by the Codgers- after one week of almost-no-football purgatory- was highly expected to bring the heaven of victory after a ruinous spell of devilish losses. Instead, the game will go down in history for two main episodes which should remind the reader of the past of football. Indeed, in its modern form football comes from a gentleman’s agreement signed in a London tavern in 1863. It was only in the 1872 that the Referee mad his appearance for the first time. Until the the players judged and sanctioned the fouls committed on the pitch; yesterday the spirit of those glorious day has been highly missed on the pitch where the fans witnessed a harsh and unfriendly game. Indeed, the match sometimes resembled a scene of a butchery with Will’s parts ungenerously grabbed and hooked like raw meat, harsh tackles hitting down Luca and stubborn pushes aiming at pinning Ravi down all flying like crows. The match became so uptight that the unanimous pledge for a referee came out almost unanimously from both sides; men were shooting down with wet powder but the Codgers battled like lions, even coming back from nine goals behind almost to make the gladiatorial fight even, but eventually succumbing again for one single goal.
As always happens however, an heroic tale includes and unfolds another epic story: among the seven heroes, the pride of place gallantly belongs to Codgers’goalkeeper , Can, who injured his right wrist badly, but nevertheless decided to keep on defending the goal (literally) single handy. Here, the people who are too young to remember, must be reminded of the impression left by Beckenbauer in 1970 World Cup battled to the final minutes of the semi-final against Italy with one arm in a sling; like Can he will be committed to memory as going from mutilation to the splendour of football!
Thursday 29 April 2010
THE BAR THAT DISPELLED A MIRACLE
Cypriot Golden Codgers 13-EHL 14
Football moves in mysterious ways. It may happen that when you face a though and merciless opponent, you spend almost 70 minutes desperately trying to score a goal and watch all your effort being crushed by the keeper or by the defensive wall; it may happen that –no matter how disciplined and organized your defense is, no matter how feline and good the reflexes of your keeper are- you conceded 14 goals; it may happen that you lose a player (Will Dusty Spates) due to a very bad injury with ten minutes to play while trailing behind by four goals; it may happen, at that moment, that even your hard-core fans leave the stadium.
But it is then that almost sparkling from nowhere, when you are in despair, the duty of losing gets miraculously overturned and instead of shrinking back into the box begging for no more balls to hit your net, you went on attack: passion, spirit, childish irresponsibility and a strong belief in team-power. It is then that the Codgers did not start playing equal against equal, no –they played as the big guys against the little. The EHL were in flight and the Codgers in ecstasy. Amin, Ravi and Luca managed to fill the gap and at the very last minute Can saved a certain goal, Matthew cleared and Luca triggered Amin the Machine, who had almost nobody between him and the goal. The shot was powerful and accurate, the keeper beaten but the ball collapsed against the upper bar slipping away while the whistle was blown, leaving the Codgers wondering why they dared to sin against a secret spell that obliged them to lose.
Football moves in mysterious ways. It may happen that when you face a though and merciless opponent, you spend almost 70 minutes desperately trying to score a goal and watch all your effort being crushed by the keeper or by the defensive wall; it may happen that –no matter how disciplined and organized your defense is, no matter how feline and good the reflexes of your keeper are- you conceded 14 goals; it may happen that you lose a player (Will Dusty Spates) due to a very bad injury with ten minutes to play while trailing behind by four goals; it may happen, at that moment, that even your hard-core fans leave the stadium.
But it is then that almost sparkling from nowhere, when you are in despair, the duty of losing gets miraculously overturned and instead of shrinking back into the box begging for no more balls to hit your net, you went on attack: passion, spirit, childish irresponsibility and a strong belief in team-power. It is then that the Codgers did not start playing equal against equal, no –they played as the big guys against the little. The EHL were in flight and the Codgers in ecstasy. Amin, Ravi and Luca managed to fill the gap and at the very last minute Can saved a certain goal, Matthew cleared and Luca triggered Amin the Machine, who had almost nobody between him and the goal. The shot was powerful and accurate, the keeper beaten but the ball collapsed against the upper bar slipping away while the whistle was blown, leaving the Codgers wondering why they dared to sin against a secret spell that obliged them to lose.
Saturday 24 April 2010
FOUND THE DEFENSE...LOST THE OFFENSE
Golden Codgers 18-ELH 21
The goal is football’s essence. A miracle, an excitement getting he crowd going wild, a punishment for the sinner which obliges him to repent, a struck of inexorable fate making the players sing from the chest. Yesterday, however, the Codgers lost their scores (literally) and went almost mute. In their orchestra there has been only one real tenor, Can, who showed –once again- his prowess to repel the attacks raining as cavalry strikes to earn the medal of Man of the Match. The Codgers’ keeper sowed panic among the strikers, even saving a penalty and keeping our heroes afloat. But if the sinks of the Codgers’ boat were impermeable, the decks were so full of water to render the cannons unusable. The only way to score seemed to undress (literally as Ahmet proved) the footballs shoes and barefootly ask for forgiveness to the Gods of Football. Indeed, the 1-3-1 tactic proved to be a nice anchor to which hang on, but when the strikers are not doing their job (Will 3, Amin 7, Ahmet 6, Seyit 2) gloomy days lay ahead. Ravi proved to be an asset to which the Codgers cannot truly renounce without losing half of their offensive power: the leading goal scorer was too much of a miss for our heroes. Can he rescue the Codgers from their three-losses-in-a-raw series? Can the impeccable organization and devotion to rational tactics be paired with the fantasy and the genial touches which set the goals in motion? Can the Codgers shine again and ceasing to invoke the evil spirit of defeat? Next Thursday the ball will reveal his secret answer by rolling once again over the pitch of Sakarya.
Long Life to the Codgers!
The goal is football’s essence. A miracle, an excitement getting he crowd going wild, a punishment for the sinner which obliges him to repent, a struck of inexorable fate making the players sing from the chest. Yesterday, however, the Codgers lost their scores (literally) and went almost mute. In their orchestra there has been only one real tenor, Can, who showed –once again- his prowess to repel the attacks raining as cavalry strikes to earn the medal of Man of the Match. The Codgers’ keeper sowed panic among the strikers, even saving a penalty and keeping our heroes afloat. But if the sinks of the Codgers’ boat were impermeable, the decks were so full of water to render the cannons unusable. The only way to score seemed to undress (literally as Ahmet proved) the footballs shoes and barefootly ask for forgiveness to the Gods of Football. Indeed, the 1-3-1 tactic proved to be a nice anchor to which hang on, but when the strikers are not doing their job (Will 3, Amin 7, Ahmet 6, Seyit 2) gloomy days lay ahead. Ravi proved to be an asset to which the Codgers cannot truly renounce without losing half of their offensive power: the leading goal scorer was too much of a miss for our heroes. Can he rescue the Codgers from their three-losses-in-a-raw series? Can the impeccable organization and devotion to rational tactics be paired with the fantasy and the genial touches which set the goals in motion? Can the Codgers shine again and ceasing to invoke the evil spirit of defeat? Next Thursday the ball will reveal his secret answer by rolling once again over the pitch of Sakarya.
Long Life to the Codgers!
Thursday 22 April 2010
Sunday 18 April 2010
THE "CLOCKWORK WHITE"
At 1974 World Cup they called the Dutch Team the ‘Clockwork Orange’, due to the spectacular precision of their precise organization: ”Everyone attacked, and everyone defended, deploying and retreating in a vertiginous fan […] an orchestra keeping so many simultaneous notes on the pitch” . Blaspheme comparisons aside the first half of Codgers game reminded to their fans the well-oiled wheels of a clock: in the shadows of a wonderful mid-spring sunset at Sakarya, it looked like the silhouette of the tactful Mourinho had been cast upon the Codgers’ players. 1-3-1 was the key-code, the signal which Radio-Codgers send to the sky: the outcome proved too much for the young and rampant Can’s seven. Perfect combinations between Amin “Machine” (4 goals) and Ravi (7 goals), amazing sense of position showed by Michael Best (2 goals, one with a stunning voleè after having dribbled a couple of defenders), the diligence in orchestrating the maneuver by Luca (1 goal) , an outstanding performance as main defender by Matthew “The Wall” (man of the match, the sand of Egypt worked miracles out of him….) and the usual “shieldy” prowess of Erdal in goal left the opposition speechless and hopeless: 14-4 the score at half-time.
The second half was close to pure academia with Ahmet replacing Michael and allowing the Codgers to play in a more relaxed mood resulting in a spectacular and enjoying 15-12 final-score which left everybody tired but happy (apart from a small injury for Can).
So, the new tactic proved to be effective and it will be tested again next Friday against the EHL boys, in another episode of this never-ending saga of rivalry and football. Will the 1-3-1 be enough to the Codgers to emerge victorious after three defeats in a row? Will the “Clockwork White” signal be sent again in the air of Sakarya? The answer will be soon provided from this blog in a week or so….stay tuned…same Codgers Blog, same Codgers (finest) hou
The second half was close to pure academia with Ahmet replacing Michael and allowing the Codgers to play in a more relaxed mood resulting in a spectacular and enjoying 15-12 final-score which left everybody tired but happy (apart from a small injury for Can).
So, the new tactic proved to be effective and it will be tested again next Friday against the EHL boys, in another episode of this never-ending saga of rivalry and football. Will the 1-3-1 be enough to the Codgers to emerge victorious after three defeats in a row? Will the “Clockwork White” signal be sent again in the air of Sakarya? The answer will be soon provided from this blog in a week or so….stay tuned…same Codgers Blog, same Codgers (finest) hou
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Playing again on a wing and a prayer (for a better defense)
The Codgers are on the rampage...again. After two weeks of resting and collecting ideas for a better defensive organization, our heroes are due back in action on Friday at 18 o'clock in Sakarya against the Can's Seven, in a exciting rematch of the first game played by the Codgers back in March. Rumors are that the Codgers will adopt an unusual tactic borrowed from Mourinho's handbook of perfect style of playing: a revolutionary 1-3-1; starring Erdal "The Spider" Barkay back in goal (courtesy of Fenerbhace Academy...), Matthew "Custer" Harpster as the taking-no-prisoner defender, Michel "Best" Walsh as full (literally) right-back, Amin "the Machine" Momeni as left-back, Luca "The Sultan" Zavagno as Center Midfielder hopefully trying to detonate the power of Ravi "Catch-Me-if-you-can" Shankar playing as center-forward. On the bench but ready to fly, Ahmet "Che Balconi" Usta.
Looking forward to having a good game!!!!!
Looking forward to having a good game!!!!!
Sunday 4 April 2010
Friday 2 April 2010
THE OPEN VEINS OF CODGERS’ DEFENSE
Golden Codgers 28- EHL 34
THE OPEN VEINS OF CODGERS’ DEFENSE
Golden Codgers 28- EHL 34
In his Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare turned to football to formulate a character’s complaint: “Am I so round with you, as you are,/ That like a football you do spurn me thus? You spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither,/If I last in this service you must case me in leather”. Indeed, unfortunately for the Codgers, yesterday match mirrored into these Shakespearian words. The ball spurned them at least 34 times, and the defense was roundly abysmal in its performance; moreover if not the leather certainly the posts of the net cased our heroes denying at least 5 goals and pinning them down for the second defeat in a row. Indeed, the pillar of Codgerian back was missing (Matthew is in Egypt to cure his injured tendon), but this cannot explain the terrible performance of the people who was supposed to take his place. It is, indeed, true that in the early, heroic, days of football no one played a particular position in the field and everybody ran happily after the ball, each wherever he wanted, but –no Shakespearian as it may be- modern football requires less improvisation and more technocracy to keep people in line. In other words, more discipline and less dream-maneuvering. Oddly enough the Codgers showed the usual glowing and gliding splendor from the belt up (Ravi scoring 10, Amin and Ahmet 6 each, Will 2, Luca 4), and a goal-keeper (welcome back Can!!) who had fingers of steel and a bravery to be eternally graced; nevertheless their defense was very Italian, only because it resembled a colander for gnocchi.
In other human trades decline comes with old age, but in football decay comes with being grinded by an opposition which proves the effectiveness of shouting correct instructions and developing decipherable tactical schemes. We do not believe that football is a science and the field a laboratory, but without a decent display in defense the Codgers won’t need the genius of Einstein but the miracles of the Virgin of Fatima to win again.
THE OPEN VEINS OF CODGERS’ DEFENSE
Golden Codgers 28- EHL 34
In his Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare turned to football to formulate a character’s complaint: “Am I so round with you, as you are,/ That like a football you do spurn me thus? You spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither,/If I last in this service you must case me in leather”. Indeed, unfortunately for the Codgers, yesterday match mirrored into these Shakespearian words. The ball spurned them at least 34 times, and the defense was roundly abysmal in its performance; moreover if not the leather certainly the posts of the net cased our heroes denying at least 5 goals and pinning them down for the second defeat in a row. Indeed, the pillar of Codgerian back was missing (Matthew is in Egypt to cure his injured tendon), but this cannot explain the terrible performance of the people who was supposed to take his place. It is, indeed, true that in the early, heroic, days of football no one played a particular position in the field and everybody ran happily after the ball, each wherever he wanted, but –no Shakespearian as it may be- modern football requires less improvisation and more technocracy to keep people in line. In other words, more discipline and less dream-maneuvering. Oddly enough the Codgers showed the usual glowing and gliding splendor from the belt up (Ravi scoring 10, Amin and Ahmet 6 each, Will 2, Luca 4), and a goal-keeper (welcome back Can!!) who had fingers of steel and a bravery to be eternally graced; nevertheless their defense was very Italian, only because it resembled a colander for gnocchi.
In other human trades decline comes with old age, but in football decay comes with being grinded by an opposition which proves the effectiveness of shouting correct instructions and developing decipherable tactical schemes. We do not believe that football is a science and the field a laboratory, but without a decent display in defense the Codgers won’t need the genius of Einstein but the miracles of the Virgin of Fatima to win again.
Saturday 27 March 2010
Waiting for the goalkeeping-Godot
GOLDEN CODGERS 28-EHL 33
Football must not be and will never be a rational game. But Football is indeed "beauty and duty". If the Codgers always sublimate the game, sometimes playing as naturally as a cat with a ball of yarn, it must be admitted that organization and role-playing must be part of this very theatrical sublimation. Organization is the word the Codgers could not decline yesterday during the match against the hard-working and certainly not-pushovers EHL boys, who crushed our heroes 33-28. Far from imposing their usual style of football, the Codgers could not decide who was playing where along the pitch leaving Matthew alone against three or four men- advancing like a compact phalanx- one time too many . Moreover, one must admit that although if he does not score goals like Ravi (9 hits yesterday) or Luca (4), Amin (5), Ahmet (5), Michael (3) or Will (2), a goal-keeper is a much-needed character in the game-play. The rest of the players can blow a goal and then almost immediately redeem themselves, but when flying balls irredeemably enter the net with almost not professional expertise to save them, problems arise. Put it simple, the Codgers need a doorman who could help the other tenants to live and prosper in the building....let's hope they will find one by next Thursday when the rematch (when Michael and Matthew will both be unavailable) is scheduled, otherwise, as the real goalkeepers are condemned to watch the game from afar, the Codgers will watch their next victory from afar....
Football must not be and will never be a rational game. But Football is indeed "beauty and duty". If the Codgers always sublimate the game, sometimes playing as naturally as a cat with a ball of yarn, it must be admitted that organization and role-playing must be part of this very theatrical sublimation. Organization is the word the Codgers could not decline yesterday during the match against the hard-working and certainly not-pushovers EHL boys, who crushed our heroes 33-28. Far from imposing their usual style of football, the Codgers could not decide who was playing where along the pitch leaving Matthew alone against three or four men- advancing like a compact phalanx- one time too many . Moreover, one must admit that although if he does not score goals like Ravi (9 hits yesterday) or Luca (4), Amin (5), Ahmet (5), Michael (3) or Will (2), a goal-keeper is a much-needed character in the game-play. The rest of the players can blow a goal and then almost immediately redeem themselves, but when flying balls irredeemably enter the net with almost not professional expertise to save them, problems arise. Put it simple, the Codgers need a doorman who could help the other tenants to live and prosper in the building....let's hope they will find one by next Thursday when the rematch (when Michael and Matthew will both be unavailable) is scheduled, otherwise, as the real goalkeepers are condemned to watch the game from afar, the Codgers will watch their next victory from afar....
Monday 22 March 2010
Could Poetry be the Language of Football?
After a week of footballic silence (during which the Codgers received the indirect blessing of Italian well-known tactical awareness- courtesy of Luca who was in Salerno), that was interrupted only by some unbelievable rumors concerning Ravi (apparently an offer to buy him arrived from the Tourism Department Team only to be unanimously rejected by the Codgers' board), we are happy to announce the return of our heroes in action: next Friday (26 March at Sakarya pitch). The opposition -again- will be the ELH team for what is going to become a never ending saga of football and passionate rivalry.
To conclude, many people wrote to the blogger asking for the origins of the name Golden Codgers; so we are very very happy to provide all our fans with the answer, courtesy of the unbelievable literary knowledge of William 'Dusty' Spates.
For us poetry is definitively the language of football;
There all the GOLDEN CODGERS lay,
There the silver dew,
And there the great water sighed forlove,
And the wind sighed too.
Man-picker Niahm leant and sighed
By Oisin in the grass;
There sighed amid his choir of love
Tall Pythagoras.
Plotinus came and looked about,
The salt-flakes on his breast,
And having stretched and yawned aw...
[Yeats]
To conclude, many people wrote to the blogger asking for the origins of the name Golden Codgers; so we are very very happy to provide all our fans with the answer, courtesy of the unbelievable literary knowledge of William 'Dusty' Spates.
For us poetry is definitively the language of football;
There all the GOLDEN CODGERS lay,
There the silver dew,
And there the great water sighed forlove,
And the wind sighed too.
Man-picker Niahm leant and sighed
By Oisin in the grass;
There sighed amid his choir of love
Tall Pythagoras.
Plotinus came and looked about,
The salt-flakes on his breast,
And having stretched and yawned aw...
[Yeats]
Saturday 13 March 2010
OVERCOMING, ADAPTING AND DELIVERING.
GOLDEN CODGERS 17- EHL 15
Unfortunately (or maybe not....), the blogger is now in Italy to find some new talents and keep up to date with the new improvements of fooball tactics, so it is with a little bit of sadness tha I leave the report of Friday's match to Ravi who -apart from being an excellent and talented player- is also a poet and a endless lover of good football. I think nobody could have done it better!!!! Long Life to the Codgers!
The Codgers still stinging from their first defeat of the season and missing their emotional vocal leader, Luca, as well as their recent MVP, Michael and their catlike keeper, Erdal, took the pitch on Friday with some trepidation against the ELH lads. And upon arrival it appeared their ranks were even thinner. Matthew was nowhere to be found and only four Codgers found themselves together – Ravi, Amin, Will and Ahmet. After ten minutes of wrangling, the Codgers also took Fady and another lanky member of the opposition so that the game could get going. From the start, the game moved at a crisper pace though initially appeared to have the makings of a defensive showdown. Back and forth the ball flew, being redirected and cleared only to meet with the same fate on the other end. Will “Dusty” Spates started in net and charged out undaunted by the swinging legs to jar loose the ball on a number of occasions.
But soon enough the scoring got started, with Ravi making a few defenders miss and slotting home two quick scores, one of which nutmegged the keeper. But undaunted, the student squad equalized, and then went on top by three, led primarily by a new addition built like a fireplug who began hammering it home from all trajectories. Will abdicated the net at this point and Ahmet took over and the Codgers slowly stabilized buoyed considerably by the presence of Matthew who arrived late but keen to make his entrance felt. With a substitute in hand, the Codgers began to look spry and spritely, Methuselahs transformed by the fountain of youth. Amin made some slashing runs up the side and pounded in a couple of goals. Dusty Spates tallied for the second game in a row. Fady, hard to miss in neon green, put home his first goal on a through ball from Ravi, then replaced Ahmet in net, proving his worth by stopping nearly every ball in the air. Matthew came in to provide some much needed help in the back and Ahmet in his Man U jersey channeled Gary Neville with his blazing runs down the flank, feeding Amin and Ravi who began to look again like a well-oiled machine, slotting home goals in a variety of ways: half-volleys, side footed, off crosses and on individual runs. Our other student player proved to be a skillful presence in the midfield, controlling and distributing the ball with loping strides.
After a while, the Codgers took a comfortable lead, up by four goals with about ten minutes left. But as has happened in the past, a certain complacency set in and the students stormed back, scoring first one, then two, then three, then finally four goals in a row to equalize the game at 15 to 15! A real barn burner and the Codgers were sweating at this point, fearing the distant wrath of their fearless leader, ensconced no doubt at some Venetian trattorie with a plate of moscardini and a fine chianti. But on a ball played back lazily, Ravi pounced and taking the orb tantalizingly close to the end line, he pivoted to rip the roof of the net at an improbable angle for the game winner. A mere moments later, Amin put in the insurance tally, so cleanly banging it home that the rear post clanged resoundingly like a church bell ringing for vespers. The Codgers, even missing a core of players, were once again victorious! Final score: 17 to 15. Goals scored by Ravi (9 goals), Amin (6), Will (1), Fady (1)
Unfortunately (or maybe not....), the blogger is now in Italy to find some new talents and keep up to date with the new improvements of fooball tactics, so it is with a little bit of sadness tha I leave the report of Friday's match to Ravi who -apart from being an excellent and talented player- is also a poet and a endless lover of good football. I think nobody could have done it better!!!! Long Life to the Codgers!
The Codgers still stinging from their first defeat of the season and missing their emotional vocal leader, Luca, as well as their recent MVP, Michael and their catlike keeper, Erdal, took the pitch on Friday with some trepidation against the ELH lads. And upon arrival it appeared their ranks were even thinner. Matthew was nowhere to be found and only four Codgers found themselves together – Ravi, Amin, Will and Ahmet. After ten minutes of wrangling, the Codgers also took Fady and another lanky member of the opposition so that the game could get going. From the start, the game moved at a crisper pace though initially appeared to have the makings of a defensive showdown. Back and forth the ball flew, being redirected and cleared only to meet with the same fate on the other end. Will “Dusty” Spates started in net and charged out undaunted by the swinging legs to jar loose the ball on a number of occasions.
But soon enough the scoring got started, with Ravi making a few defenders miss and slotting home two quick scores, one of which nutmegged the keeper. But undaunted, the student squad equalized, and then went on top by three, led primarily by a new addition built like a fireplug who began hammering it home from all trajectories. Will abdicated the net at this point and Ahmet took over and the Codgers slowly stabilized buoyed considerably by the presence of Matthew who arrived late but keen to make his entrance felt. With a substitute in hand, the Codgers began to look spry and spritely, Methuselahs transformed by the fountain of youth. Amin made some slashing runs up the side and pounded in a couple of goals. Dusty Spates tallied for the second game in a row. Fady, hard to miss in neon green, put home his first goal on a through ball from Ravi, then replaced Ahmet in net, proving his worth by stopping nearly every ball in the air. Matthew came in to provide some much needed help in the back and Ahmet in his Man U jersey channeled Gary Neville with his blazing runs down the flank, feeding Amin and Ravi who began to look again like a well-oiled machine, slotting home goals in a variety of ways: half-volleys, side footed, off crosses and on individual runs. Our other student player proved to be a skillful presence in the midfield, controlling and distributing the ball with loping strides.
After a while, the Codgers took a comfortable lead, up by four goals with about ten minutes left. But as has happened in the past, a certain complacency set in and the students stormed back, scoring first one, then two, then three, then finally four goals in a row to equalize the game at 15 to 15! A real barn burner and the Codgers were sweating at this point, fearing the distant wrath of their fearless leader, ensconced no doubt at some Venetian trattorie with a plate of moscardini and a fine chianti. But on a ball played back lazily, Ravi pounced and taking the orb tantalizingly close to the end line, he pivoted to rip the roof of the net at an improbable angle for the game winner. A mere moments later, Amin put in the insurance tally, so cleanly banging it home that the rear post clanged resoundingly like a church bell ringing for vespers. The Codgers, even missing a core of players, were once again victorious! Final score: 17 to 15. Goals scored by Ravi (9 goals), Amin (6), Will (1), Fady (1)
Wednesday 10 March 2010
The Sin of Losing
TOURISM DEPARTMENT 14- GOLDEN CODGERS 6
"Football elevates its divinities and exposes them to the vengeance of the believers". Well maybe the Codgers are no divinities but the vengeance was served tonight as cold as an ice cub by the devilish Tourism Department's boys, who literally annihilated our heroes overplaying them in every inch of the pitch. The Codges tried everything to stay in the game, even managing to come back from a terrific 1-3 partial to draw 3-3 (courtesy of Amin and Ravi). But then the courageous boys in white could not simply play equal against equal. Amin's notorious forward runs were nip in the bud, a spell was cast over Ravi's magic twists and turns, Will fought like a gladiator and he even hit the net (first score with the Codger for Dusty Spates!!!) but the beasts of the circus eventually overwhelmed his bravery, Ahmet's pace and power could not detonate a single time, Luca was simply powerless and, eventually, Can was left too many times alone to face the fury of the adversaries who fired missiles which easily hit the target. In other words a Waterloo of epic proportion that brought the Codgers back on earth after a long winning streak: like Icarus their wings melted down when they tried to touch the sun.
Maybe the Codgers missed some of their key players, maybe the lack of their vice-Manager Buket sow disconcert in their ranks, or maybe simply the Gods of football turned their back upon them, but the impartial commentator must admit that the Tourism Department deserved their win.
However as passionate lover of the game, the Codgers do not believe that "we are because we win", and that failure is the only sin that cannot be fixed: so we can be sure that- like the Arabian Phoenix- they will be ready to resurrect for their ashes. We could see them in action again next Friday aware and proud to have been the losers in a world that too always punishes failures badly!
"Football elevates its divinities and exposes them to the vengeance of the believers". Well maybe the Codgers are no divinities but the vengeance was served tonight as cold as an ice cub by the devilish Tourism Department's boys, who literally annihilated our heroes overplaying them in every inch of the pitch. The Codges tried everything to stay in the game, even managing to come back from a terrific 1-3 partial to draw 3-3 (courtesy of Amin and Ravi). But then the courageous boys in white could not simply play equal against equal. Amin's notorious forward runs were nip in the bud, a spell was cast over Ravi's magic twists and turns, Will fought like a gladiator and he even hit the net (first score with the Codger for Dusty Spates!!!) but the beasts of the circus eventually overwhelmed his bravery, Ahmet's pace and power could not detonate a single time, Luca was simply powerless and, eventually, Can was left too many times alone to face the fury of the adversaries who fired missiles which easily hit the target. In other words a Waterloo of epic proportion that brought the Codgers back on earth after a long winning streak: like Icarus their wings melted down when they tried to touch the sun.
Maybe the Codgers missed some of their key players, maybe the lack of their vice-Manager Buket sow disconcert in their ranks, or maybe simply the Gods of football turned their back upon them, but the impartial commentator must admit that the Tourism Department deserved their win.
However as passionate lover of the game, the Codgers do not believe that "we are because we win", and that failure is the only sin that cannot be fixed: so we can be sure that- like the Arabian Phoenix- they will be ready to resurrect for their ashes. We could see them in action again next Friday aware and proud to have been the losers in a world that too always punishes failures badly!
Monday 8 March 2010
The clock is ticking but with less and less arms...
The unusual Wednesday Night Game, which smells of Champions League's glory, is getting closer and closer, but the Codgers have already lost three pillars of their recent winning streak (or wisdom if you like...); the absence of Michael and Erdal was a well-known fact, but we have just received the broken-heart news concerning the loss of Matthew (who will be, however, part of the starting line-up for the usual Friday afternoon tea-game against the ELH boys). But the Codgers have seven lives, one spare goalkeeper (Can, who will return in goal after his good performance in the second Codgers' game) and a wonderfully fit reserve right full-back (Ahmet who is going to undress his Trapattoni's clothes to fit into the white Codgerious outfit). No players on the bench (so maybe this time Buket's skills will not be necessary...) but a good evidence of the big heart of the Codgers family......
Good game to everybody and stay tuned for the commentary of Wednesday game against the Tourism Department.
Good game to everybody and stay tuned for the commentary of Wednesday game against the Tourism Department.
Friday 5 March 2010
THE LANGUAGE OF FOOTBALL PASSION
GOLDEN CODGERS 17- ELH 16
“Skill is the art of turning limitations into virtues”: this motto belonged today to the Codgers more than anybody else. Overwhelmed by an angry opposition, stubbornly willing to pay our heroes back after last week defeat, the Codgers found themselves 1-3 down after 15 minutes, when Matthew naively conceded a penalty hand-balling a cross from the right pretending to be Kobe Bryant. Lucky enough Erdal in goal resembled Yashin, stopping at least four thundering blasts from short distance and showing feline reflexes.
But the never-say-die spirit of the champions was there; maybe the brilliance of the first two games was gone, maybe the white, glimmering, shirts (the new outfit of the Codgers) were confusing more than helpful; maybe Amin was not the usual machine and Matthew not rocky as ever, but the game was turned around anyway by the Codgers who fought like underdogs and found in Michael the reincarnation of his compatriot George Best: 5 goals scored either with calm and precise shots from the right side of the area or with tenacious and unstoppable progressions from the left wing. Everyone attacked and everyone defended, moving like the arms of a vertiginous fan: this, inevitably, took its toll on the coolness of the players who squandered many chances to add more ticks to the scoreboard. Nevertheless, Ravi- who often acted as adjunct defender- managed to hit the net six times and Amin –who regained his robocopical confidence- scored an hat trick with three powerful projectiles fired from sidereal distance; Will, tireless as midfielder, imposed his stature, forcing the opposition to use any possible trick to stop him- including grabbing his lower parts a couple of times. No goals for Will but a marvelous cross for Luca who literally flied to head the ball in the back of the net for the first of his two goals; in time also Matthew recovered from the initial turnaround and became the usual reliable defender who takes no prisoner even managing to set in motion the counterattack that gives Erdal (replaced for a short while by Michael in goal) his deserved moment of glory.
The crowd (special mention here for Buket acting as a precise vice-manager and dictating the substitutions every ten minutes and for Ahmet who could not play today but came disguised as Trapattoni) went wild at the referee’s final whistle which left the Codgers tired to death but triumphant once again.
So, the Codgers have deservedly won their third match in a row and are now waiting for a very special Wednesday Night Game against the Tourism Department Team. One thing is for sure, though: seven lions are difficult to be beaten!
“Skill is the art of turning limitations into virtues”: this motto belonged today to the Codgers more than anybody else. Overwhelmed by an angry opposition, stubbornly willing to pay our heroes back after last week defeat, the Codgers found themselves 1-3 down after 15 minutes, when Matthew naively conceded a penalty hand-balling a cross from the right pretending to be Kobe Bryant. Lucky enough Erdal in goal resembled Yashin, stopping at least four thundering blasts from short distance and showing feline reflexes.
But the never-say-die spirit of the champions was there; maybe the brilliance of the first two games was gone, maybe the white, glimmering, shirts (the new outfit of the Codgers) were confusing more than helpful; maybe Amin was not the usual machine and Matthew not rocky as ever, but the game was turned around anyway by the Codgers who fought like underdogs and found in Michael the reincarnation of his compatriot George Best: 5 goals scored either with calm and precise shots from the right side of the area or with tenacious and unstoppable progressions from the left wing. Everyone attacked and everyone defended, moving like the arms of a vertiginous fan: this, inevitably, took its toll on the coolness of the players who squandered many chances to add more ticks to the scoreboard. Nevertheless, Ravi- who often acted as adjunct defender- managed to hit the net six times and Amin –who regained his robocopical confidence- scored an hat trick with three powerful projectiles fired from sidereal distance; Will, tireless as midfielder, imposed his stature, forcing the opposition to use any possible trick to stop him- including grabbing his lower parts a couple of times. No goals for Will but a marvelous cross for Luca who literally flied to head the ball in the back of the net for the first of his two goals; in time also Matthew recovered from the initial turnaround and became the usual reliable defender who takes no prisoner even managing to set in motion the counterattack that gives Erdal (replaced for a short while by Michael in goal) his deserved moment of glory.
The crowd (special mention here for Buket acting as a precise vice-manager and dictating the substitutions every ten minutes and for Ahmet who could not play today but came disguised as Trapattoni) went wild at the referee’s final whistle which left the Codgers tired to death but triumphant once again.
So, the Codgers have deservedly won their third match in a row and are now waiting for a very special Wednesday Night Game against the Tourism Department Team. One thing is for sure, though: seven lions are difficult to be beaten!
Thursday 4 March 2010
THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
People's expectations are growing bigger and bigger for tomorrow's game: the Codgers will have to face the challenge of the ELH boys in the re-match of last week game; a two hours match that will leave only the bravest and the finest as triumphant. Tomorrow more than ever the winner takes it all!!!
But tomorrow the Codgers will also write history by wearing their new outfit (white shirt paired with multicolor shorts) which should basically allow our heroes to recognize each other while on the pitch!!!
Starting line-up will be as follows:
Erdal(gk.), Matthew, Michael, Will, Amin, Luca, Ravi.
Stay tuned for the commentary and the highlights which will be posted tomorrow evening
But tomorrow the Codgers will also write history by wearing their new outfit (white shirt paired with multicolor shorts) which should basically allow our heroes to recognize each other while on the pitch!!!
Starting line-up will be as follows:
Erdal(gk.), Matthew, Michael, Will, Amin, Luca, Ravi.
Stay tuned for the commentary and the highlights which will be posted tomorrow evening
Friday 26 February 2010
CYPRIOT GOLDEN CODGERS 13-ENGL.LANG.and FRIENDS 12
There is something poetic in watching 6 people (some of whom are fathers or husbands or marines-to-be [right Matthew?]) hanging on the fences of a football pitch desperately trying to avoid the flood bordering the field all around. Rain was pouring, but nothing could keep them away from the ball waiting for them at the center of the field...and there they were, the Codgers at their finest: another match...another victory! The surface was slippery and the adversaries hostile and ready for the battle; and a battle indeed was, but with our heroes always in control, although the team of the terrible twins Ersoy and Ersan managed to come from behind and fill a two-goals-gap for four times. But Ravi was again unstoppable: 5 goals, 2 assists and his return ticket to the US canceled (too good to be given back to San Jose' Earthquakes) always on the move and on his toes like a young Cassius Clay; Amin was a machine made for football, starting as full-back but ending as relentless adjunct forward: 4 goals (two of them with killer shots from distance) for the iron man from Iran; Will again the indestructible midfielder with license to steal balls as thieves could smoothly pickpocket wallets: his legs are swirling like windmill's arms, a real nightmare for any opposition; Matthew was solid as a rock in defense and cool as a cucumber in front of the goal when in one of its rare Custer's cavalry runs he asked for a return pass from Ravi and killed the goalkeeper with a stunning flick of his left foot: first goal for the Codgers and hurrah for the charismatic archaeologist from Iowa; Luca added to Codgers' glory 3 goals, one of which the result of a terrific volley from 25 meters that lobbied the astonished keeper; eventually, the youngest of the Codgers, Can, guaranteed calm and tranquility in goal by saving his net at least twice with remarkable interventions combining pure bravery with instinct.
So the Codgers did it again and cannot wait for the re-match scheduled for next Friday at 17 o'clock: let's hope for a better weather and a little bit of supporters: the Codgers are, indeed, a true joy to behold!
Thursday 25 February 2010
The Blogger is also a reporter and an historian...and a gentleman and an objective fan of good football "in its sun and shadow"; so, since we have just received the first complain in the history of Codgers, it is my intention to rectify parts of the previous posts. Indeed, Amin requested public recognition for his efforts in the first match: 3 goals scored, although all during the first half of the game (i.e. before being sold to the opposition due to an unforeseen injury of one of the adversaries).
Amin had also he capability of amazing the female (and portion of the male....) part of the supporting crowd. We must admit that his pace and stamina really impressed the impartial observers and guaranteed to him a place in all next Codgers' games.
Speaking of which, the match scheduled for today, has been postponed to tomorrow (Friday 26 February at 17 at Sakarya football pitch). The Codgers will be without Michael and Erdal but can count on the presence of Matthew and Will(who miraculously recovered from his injury)and Can as a goalkeeper. Things being so he starting lineup for the Codgers will be: Can, Amin, Matthew, Will, Ravi, Luca. The opposition ("English Language and Literature and Friends") will count players of the caliber of Fatih and the terrible twins Ersen and Ersoy.
Good football to everybody and see you tomorrow at 17 at Sakarya or later on this blog for the match commentary!!
Amin had also he capability of amazing the female (and portion of the male....) part of the supporting crowd. We must admit that his pace and stamina really impressed the impartial observers and guaranteed to him a place in all next Codgers' games.
Speaking of which, the match scheduled for today, has been postponed to tomorrow (Friday 26 February at 17 at Sakarya football pitch). The Codgers will be without Michael and Erdal but can count on the presence of Matthew and Will(who miraculously recovered from his injury)and Can as a goalkeeper. Things being so he starting lineup for the Codgers will be: Can, Amin, Matthew, Will, Ravi, Luca. The opposition ("English Language and Literature and Friends") will count players of the caliber of Fatih and the terrible twins Ersen and Ersoy.
Good football to everybody and see you tomorrow at 17 at Sakarya or later on this blog for the match commentary!!
Saturday 20 February 2010
CYPRIOT GOLDEN CODGERS 18-CAN’S SEVEN 17
Amazing performance of the Codgers who stunned the youngster and fitter Can’s eleven, winning what will be known from now on as “the battle of Sakarya” by one goal. Remarkably, the lethal touch was mainly shown by the new kid in town, Ravi (Visiting Professor from
Next match of the Codgers is scheduled for next Friday 26 February at 17 o’clock in Sakarya against a team of ELH graduate and undergraduate students.
"We lost,, we won... either way we had fun" [E.Galeano]
Friday 19.02.2010 at 17.00 o'clock, at Sakarya Football pitch close to the wonderful old city of Famagusta (Northern Cyprus), there has been the first match of the Cypriot Golden Codgers, the local spin-off of the glorious Birmingham Golden Codgers [http://goldencodgers.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/hello-world/#comment-2].
The Codgers are a selection of some of the best instructors and MA students of the Departments of History, Archeology, and English Language and Literature of the Eastern Mediterranean University of Famagusta (T.R.N.C.)
The Team:Ravi Shankar (U.S.A.-India), Michael Walsh (Northern Ireland), Erdal Barkay (Cyprus), Ahmet Usta (Turkey), Luca Zavagno (Italy), Matthew Harpster (U.S.A), Amin Momeni (Iran) and William Spates(U.S.A.)
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