Beach Balls, the EPL Is Awesome

As I have said in the past, this blog is really about commenting on topics suggested by my sister Mary's blog. She appears to be setting the table nicely by talking about things that I like to talk about. One big thing lately is soccer.

So over the weekend, perhaps the most amazing thing that I have seen yet. Beach ball scores a goal for Sunderland - beating Liverpool (1-0). It has to be seen to be believed. But, even better than the goal itself was the announcers. First, the announcers said something to the effect of Darren Bent has been simply on fire. He has completely crossed up Pepe Reina (the keeper for Liverpool) with this outstanding strike. Then, after watching the replay about four times in slow motion and watching Reina get baffled by the ball bounding off the "balloon" at high speed and lunging for the balloon - the announceners basically say it 1) would have probably been a goal anyway, 2) that Reina just needs to man up and 3) that Liverpool simply isn't playing hard enough to complain. So, nothing like - "huh, that's awfully strange that ball just bounced off a beach ball." No instead it was completely and totally Liverpool's fault and no one should question the integrity of this outstanding goal by Darren Bent.

On a side note, Darren Bent was the leading scorer for another EPL team last year. Spurs. I knew this without having to look at any of his historic stats. 'arry ditched 'im this year to upgrade 'is strikers. 'e brought in Crouchy (Peter Crouch), Jermain DeFoe and kept Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Even with Bent having scored six goals in five games for Sunderland (who plays at the Stadium of Light - possibly the coolest stadium name ever), I think 'arry made the right choice.

The key to being an American trying to follow soccer is that you need a support group. Don't try to do this alone. I finally found someone that watches soccer in my office, and I was shocked by who it is. Othello Meadows is a big EPL fan. He likes Chelsea - particularly Didier Drogba - who frankly IS awesome - even if he does play for a Spurs rival. Why wouldn't I have guessed Othello? Because I have known him for literally twenty years, his interest is new found as well - in the last couple of years.

Finally, there is no "the" in front of Spurs. But overall, good effort Mary.