The Codgers may have lost, but indubitably they have the most smiling and pretty Vice-Manager ever (thank you Buket for timing the changes as a swiss clock!!!!!!)
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)