And across the pond in Boston, an attempt was mounted against Hicham El Guerrouj's indoor mile world record, set 21 years ago in Rome. The sensational 21 year old Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha was brilliantly paced early on, but was left to his own devices a long way out. Pacing plays a huge part when it comes to chasing these records. ElGuerrouj's time was also paced. If it doesn't load, go to YouTube and type in. "Bruce Lehane Invitational Mile" It'll be the 13 minute 33 seconds tape.
I just noticed some fixtures in the Highland League, either today or tomorrow. The 4 teams mentioned were Cove Rangers, Rothes, Nairn County, and Forres Mechanics. However, had a look at the 18-teams that make-up the current league, with map, (courtesy of Google), as I had not a clue where these places were! http://www.myfootygrounds.co.uk/LeagueMap.asp?League=SCOTHIGH How's about Clachnacuddin? Fort William and Wick must feel awfully lonely, maybe Brora too?. Also, wouldn't have thought Forres had that many mechanics in town for a football team?
When I was travelling around Scotland on Head Office Relief (HOR) for HM Revenue and Customs I visited some of the cities and towns which formed the 'homes' of some of the clubs in the Highland League. Some wee stories follow: Aberdeen; pretty much like any other mid size city in Europe. A lot of money flooded into Aberdeen during the early years on North Sea Oil exploration. Some beautiful old houses made of silver grey granite. Wick; strange place with a very slow pace. The only similar attitude to life I have come across was while on holiday in Ocho Rios in Jamaica. Discovered a hotel bar where the barman slept in a corner of the 'space' and there was no draft beer. I understand the guy just visited an off-license or cash'n'carry and bought in beer and spirits and sold them at a profit to pay for his own booze and grub. Peterhead; great 'digs' with the prison officer who was involved in the rooftop siege and his wife. I met many ex-offenders from all over the UK, particularly Liverpool, who chose to stay in P'head instead of returning 'home' to face the music. Strangely overflowing with really good looking females. It was the only place I have visited in the UK which not only had a very distinct dialect but seemed to have a language all of its own. Inverness; the best place I ever visited while on HOR. Very friendly people both in the office and throughout the town/city. I stayed with a lovely old woman who charged £8.50 for full board. She even let me stay in her house while she away on holiday. Great pubs and beautiful scenery; I would recommend the train journey from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and onwards by ferry to the Isle of Skye. These days were easily the best I experienced while labouring for Her Majesty's government.
After seeing Ajax Amsterdam against FC Bayern at The Allianz in the Group Stage I guessed somebody was going to take a pumpin' at sometime in this year's Champion's League. Bravo Ajax!
......and a big well-done to 'Tottingham', effectively silenced Dortmund with a very clinical display. Dortmund seem to be handing the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich on a plate too?
The BVB forwards seem to have misplaced their shooting boots! I would not have minded Dortmund progressing to give them a second target which might have produced less concentration on the Bundesliga. I now believe that if FC Bayern win the 'big one' at the Allianz Arena on Saturday 6th April the Bundesliga will be ours for the seventh season in a row! With the proposed strengthening of our squad in the summer we should be able to reach 'ten in a row'. The problem, if there is such a problem, does not lie with FC Bayern but with the other very wealthy clubs in Germany.
We had a champion called Ajax Kenny. He was much loved. In 1937-8-9-40, he raced 46 times for 36 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds. Sadly these days, he's often mentioned not so much for his success, but by one of his defeats. In 1939 he was entered for the G1 Rawson Stakes over the mile, in Sydney. As he'd just come off the back of 18 wins in a row, he scared off opposition. If he could win the Rawson, he'd equal the Australian record of 19 wins in a row. He went to the start of a 3 horse field, a 1-40 favourite over a horse called Allunga who I think was about 15-1 and Spear Chief, the 40-1 outsider. Ajax went straight to the front but was pressured by Allunga. On the turn for home, Allunga hoisted the white flag.The pride of Queensland, Spear Chief then moved out from behind and began to lay down the challenge. Ajax fought all the way down the straight, but eventually cracked in the shadows of the post. To this day, the mighty Ajax is remembered as the shortest priced favourite to be rolled in this country. Here's the well remembered joke from those days. Two punters, strangers to each other were watching a news reel at the cinema. A replay of the Rawson Stakes appears on the screen. "I'll bet ya' a fiver that Spear Chief wins." Said one. "It's a bet." Replied the other. Of course Spear Chief wins. As the loser attempts to hand over the fiver, the winner said. "I can't take your money mate, I saw the race yesterday." To which the loser replies." So did I, but I though he'd be improved by the run."
Champions League, 2nd Leg: PSG 1 - ManU 3 (Agg. 3-3, ManU go through on away goals). This is getting to look like the ManU of old? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, you a ****ing genius! to entire team and trainer. Quote: Pat Nevin (Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live) "I'd put it as more than history, I'd put it as magical. Not only have they done it but they have done it with a team that's missing 10 players, world-class players, with a stand-in manager, who's adapted and changed and played tactics that you wouldn't have considered."
Mr. Self Centred reporting: If FC Bayern defeat Liverpool then bring it on............ Tottingham, Ajax, Manchester United or Porto!
Wow, Kenny, have you kicked out Man. City and Barcelona already? As discussed before, I certainly give Bayern a big squeak, but it is a big 'if' as Oddy pointed out. Also, German football 'politics' are in uproar at the moment, a real ****storm in fact. As you know Löw has kicked-out Boateng, Hummels, and Thomas Müller from future national team selection. However, as one respected sports journalist pointed-out after the last WC debacle, it is Grindel, Bierhoff, and Löw who should be kicked-out, mainly for pretending they knew what the problems were in the said WC debacle. The truth is, they had not a clue, and still haven't. 80 million odd other 'national trainers' in Deutschland agreed with him too!
I intentionally listed only the four teams already through to the Quarter Finals as I saw nothing to fear from what I viewed over the past two evenings. If we get passed Liverpool I would love to draw Manchester United who were gifted their first two goals last night. I still burn for revenge for Barcelona 1999. Barcelona and Manchester City seem the strongest clubs at the moment however I am counting on our ever increasing better form if we come up against one of these two or either of Athletico Madrid/Juventus in the next round. It is said by commentators and pundits down south that FC Bayern have been at a disadvantage in recent years as the Bundesliga has been won by April and thus 'we' cannot raise our level for the latter stages of the Champion's League. I wait with interest to see if Borussia Dortmund's league challenge and our apparent improvement over recent weeks mean we will reach the final. Do I fall into the cliche of the overconfident and big-headed FC Bayern fan?
Day 1 of the March Basho. These guys don't look like athletes, but looks can be deceptive. I love these guys. Especially the *****lian born Grand Champion Hakuho Sho who is works into his twilight years. His status with the sumo world is immense. Hakuho has more career wins than anyone else, has the record of 86 wins from 90 bouts in a calendar year, a feat twice achieved, most career championships, tied with most consecutive championships, tied for most play off wins, longest reigning Yokozuna and holds the record for the most undefeated tournament championships. I'll be watching every bout Hakuho Sho has left in his career. To show how dominant Hakuho is, there is only one other Yokozuna currently in the sport, and he's won 5 championships, Hakuho has 41. Athletes like him come along once in a blue moon.
Day 3. Hakuho never ceases to surprise. He just seem to know much more about the sport than others. Sumo genius maybe?
