Service with a smile

There was a big big reason to celebrate here at HQ yesterday. Wimbledon, third round, Centre Court....picture it. Feliciano Lopez steps out onto court against Andy Rodick, a player he's lost to seven times,, including reecently at Queen's. Then...BOOM...Ace. A pattern begins. But not just a pattern of big serves, a pattern of some beautiful volleying and exquisite passing shots. Flic is ON his game today. Then sudddenly he's making the eighth seed look very ordinary in the first set tiebreak. Then it happens again in the second tiebreak. In the third set the damn breaks and so does Flic. It's glorious, fist-pumping, vamos-ing, hair shaking glorious. I could not be prouder. I've been supporting Flic for a long time, since number 90 in the world to be precise, but his ranking has never mattered to me, its his game in  all its flowing aesthetic glory. In full flow he's a beautiful sight to behold, he has awonderful languid grace to all his movements and i could honestly write reams about how gorgeous his tennis strokes are. Another highlight of Flic's match was the commentary of the man, the legend Boris Becker. He's fast becoming a favourite a HQ with his left-field remarks. The other day, one of his fellow commentators pointed out Noel Fielding in the crowd, to which Boris promptly responded "the guy in the middle? That's not a woman?!" Then during Flic's match he began musing to himself about the state of Andy Roddick's nails, reasoning that biting them that far down must hurt. The piece de resistance came when he spotted Roddick's wife (a swim wear model, who's been in Sports Illustrated.) His thoughts? "Anyone seen the swimsuit issue? (pause) I HAVE!" Genius.

A good vintage

Something unusual has happened at HQ. I've been watching Wimbledon this week and the most affecting match I've watched and the one that has moved me to blog was on the women's side of the draw. Yes you read that right, there's a wave of feminism going on here at Sports Wall. And its all because of Kimiko Date-Krumm. Mrs Date-Krumm was Venus Williams' second round opponent at SW19 this week. Normally everybody would be commenting on the fact that she is ranked number 57 in the world and Venus is a multiple Wimbledon champion. But there's something else everyone was commenting on. Kimiko Date Krumm is forty years old. She turned pro in 1989. I'll put that in context for you all, that's the year I was born. She retired in 1996 and came back in 2008. That in itself is inspiring. But watching her in the match was something else. Her athleticism was amazing and her shot making ability was absolutely sublime, her ability to change her game to suit the moment was so impressive. It was a display of proper vintage tennis. She pushed Venus Williams all the way eventually going down with a more than creditable score of 7-6, 3-6, 8-6. I hope her match was as inspiring to all the aspiring tennis players out there as it was to me. What a fantastic example she's setting for us all, Kimiko we salute you.

Two Dani-less rounds

I've been slightly remiss about my moto GP postings, largely because there's been a Dani shaped hole in the grid for the past two rounds. I had to tape Catalunya because I was on holiday. I was hoping for a Valentino Rossi win since I was in Italy but fifth wasn't too bad, given he's still in the developing stage with the bike. I spent quite a bit of my day out in Riva skulking around bar canopies, leaning over in a super unsubtle way trying to surreptitiously watch their highlights. Luckily my mum then handily sent me a text informing me that "stinky" had won and Rossi had finished fifth. Stellar.
Then it was the British GP. It was eventful to say the least. Lots of rain meant crashes for Spies, Lorenzo and Simoncelli and lots of sketchy moments besides. Which means its all change in the leaderboard again. Unfortunately stinky is now leading but it does mean narrow the gaps at the top which lets Dani back in if he returns sharpish. A friend of mine attended the GP and has returned with autographs! I haven't managed to find out whose yet and the suspense is killing me, I can't wait to hear all the exciting stuff from the weekend.

The start of crazy season

Well here I am back on the shores of dear old Blighty once more. I've been gone a week and I've returned to find crazy season in full swing with rumours flying all over the place about Samir Nasri. I've heard all sorts of nonsense linking him to Manchester United and even saying talks had been opened but I refused to put too much stock in them given the sketchy nature of the speculation and general lack of official quotes. Then lo and behold today I check twitter and there's a tweet from the man himself saying "Don't believe the newspapers and the rumours I'll let you know if something happens." To me that sounds a lot more postive for Arsenal fans than any of the nonsense printed in the papers. We've also been subjected to speculation about a bid for Gael Clichy from Liverpool and the continued, tedious debate about Cesc Fabregas. I for one hope Gael Clichy isn't going anywhere, I don't understand the amount of criticism that's been flung his way this past year. And as you all know I'm heartily sick of the Cesc saga. I wish they would just settle it already. Either sign him or shut up its that simple. I've also heard tons of supposed transfer targets that i'm not happy with; Chris Samba- NO, Gary Cahill- NO, Oxlade-Chamberlain-no, Gervinho- no. One rumour however, stood out: Falcao. Now that would be a huge and resounding YES.

Post-Season Break

Big early morning greetings to everyone from Newcastle Airport. That's right I'm out of HQ for a holiday. Where are you going, I hear you ask. Well I'm going to the beautiful home of all things Calcio. Ruth's Sport's Wall is decamping to Bella Italia for a little break. So if things are quiet for a few days that's why. Anyway, the football season ended on a little high with justice prevailing and Barcelona (and football) winning the champions league against Manchester United. Also football triumphed in the Premier League with Wigan staying up instead of Birmingham's anti-football. I've been watching more of the French Open, in particular Mr Nadal, who I must say is starting to look more assured as he progresses. I also enjoyed the endurance clash between my favourite catalan lion David Ferrer and Baby G Monfils. Five sets of showpiece tennis, get in. Now we're down to the serious part and I'm hoping to catch some of it on Italian TV. I'm pretty sure they show Moto GP there as they might have a rider or two in the championship. Anyway, ciao for now

F for fabulous at the French

One of my favourite sporting events has come round again this week. Its time for the red clay of Roland Garros and that means one thing; the French open. I think I had forgotten (only slightly) how much I actually enjoy watching tennis. Its beenn  a cracking tournament so far. The first match I watched was Roger Federer's opener against  Feliciano Lopez. If you've seen any of this blog before you'll know that this was entirely because of Flic Lopez and literally nothing to do with Roger. Flic is an absolute aesthetic dream, he has a beautiful, graceful languid quality to his movements. He brings out the 'Death in Venice' in me he really does- I read the book recently and adored it, I totally identify with so much in thhat noveel. Anyway, point is he's a wonderful player to watch. Unfortunatley he didn't win but that doesn't mean I  didn't enjoy it. I always enjoy watching hima nd cheering him on whatever the result. For some reason I feel the need to be a lot more vocal when watching Feliciano and I yell at the TV during near enough every point in his matches. Luckily HQ was empty yesterday so I didn't look like a total loon. I also watched Rafael Nadal's first round match which was a lot closer and more worrying than  I'm used to from him. As we speak I'm watching his second round match which the eurosport commentator (male) has pronounced 'F for fabulous.' I have to agree. There's been some breathtaking shots from both him and his opponent, particularly at the net and this third set is turning into a hell of a contest. I caught two of my favouritte players in action briefly too; firstly Gael 'Baby G' Monfils. I love his all action, mission impossible style of tennis and how wonderfully expressive he can be (those eyes!) Secondly David Ferrer. I love the sheer energy this man has, I love how he prowls on the baseline like a sexy Spanish lion and I love his fiery temperament. And you know, he's a real hard-working professional. Ahem.
It hasn't all been boy-watching. Unusually for me, I tuned in to the women's competition too and watched Kim Clijsters. I like Kim. I have a lot of respect for her and she seems a classy lady. Unfortunatley she lost today. Oh well back to the boys then.

My (Europa) Cup runneth over

As you all know I'm a big fan of the Europa League competition. I just plain love watching it as its full of random players that I like to keep an eye on and I really love to adopt a team in the competition every year. My record in this respect in pretty damn good. Last year I adopted Atletico Madrid. First and foremost for Tomas Ujfalusi, the guy cracks me up no end and I love his hardcore attitude. Secondly Diego Forlan, the man  is a machine. And thirdly Quique Sanchez Flores a man who rocks knitwear like no other. This year I was torn  in the early stages between Napoli (Edinson Cavani oh yeeeeah) and Porto. As I've said previously I've really enjoyed watching Porto in Europe this season. Their passing is incredibly quick, they flow so well as a team and they play beautiful incisive attacking football. the final on Thursday was pretty cagey at first but they totally deserved their win. It was veery fitting that Falcao scored the goal that won them the trophy too given that he has  been far and away the star of this yeear's competition. The rapturous celebrations were pretty special too. I loved the sombrero he acquired from somewhere. And his sweet joint lifting of the trophy with birthday boy Helton. So here's to a great competition this year and this great tradition continuing next year. Roll on the next round of boywatching