The Thriller in Sevilla
Been wondering why you haven’t been able to buy tickets for Sevilla away? No, there hasn’t been a clandestine ticket allocation of 2,000 corporate hospitality seats, although there may yet be, it’s all been about Sevilla’s request to UEFA to have the game switched to another date. Thursday 5th April is holy day out there in southern Spain and it is the day that Seville holds its Easter procession. They claimed they wanted the date changed because of the logistics of having so many tourists in town but I’ve a feeling it was closer to the image of a beautiful, cultural, atmosphere being slightly marred by the background noise of thousands of English hooligans singing ‘The Road to Amarillo’ (Spurs version) and pointing at the local archbishop with a chorus of ‘Yiddo! Yiddo! Yiddo!’
Regardless, UEFA have rejected the towns request and all of you have already booked your flights and hotels can breathe a beery sigh of relief. So, just got to wait for Spurs to release the frickin’ ticket details. I’m personally looking forward to high-jacking a float and spraying bagel vomit all over the crowd and their expensive video cameras. I’ll show them how cultured us Brits can be.
In the mean time our own football governing body has decided it will take no action over Didier Drogba’s alleged stamping of Mr Timothy Smith. However, they didn’t say that rhinoceros headed striker didn’t to it:
“We have looked at every angle and there is nothing that we have seen which warrants any disciplinary action against any of the players.”
So maybe they thought nearly having your leg broken by a professional footballer is a good deterrent to any would-be striker strikers. Can’t say I’d be too thrilled if I was Mr Smith but then you start a fight, you have to accept that you might get hurt. It was good to hear about our players’ response to the Chelsea defeat. Robbo said:
“It was quiet in the changing room, everyone was bitterly disappointed. We all felt we were on top and didn’t get what we deserved.”
“Quiet in the changing room” very visual that. You can just imagine bowed heads as the players sat by their pegs, no one wanting to catch eyes. Somehow it helps to know that the players feel it like we do. Maybe they’re not loyal forever but they do care.
The Bagel was rather upset to see the lack of loyalty from Dimitar the Great, in Monday’s press actually. Berbatov said:
“Sir Alex was watching me along with United’s head scouts, and there were talks but in the end I came to Tottenham. I have nothing to be sorry about. And maybe in the future if I play good games here they can watch me every Sunday or Saturday.”
It’s the horrible end to that basically says, ‘I’ll go and play for Man Utd if we don’t get into the Champions League.’ It sent a chill down my spine when I read that. It means that he’s just using us to get what he wants. I feel so cheap.
At least he’d have the grace to move to United rather than either of the London top four and his agent has come out pretty much confirming all this:
“He has a good contract and he will be at Tottenham for at least next season.”
Champions League football is a bit of an ask by the end of next season, particularly if Platini has his way and turns the Big Four into a Smaller Three. To begin with I was hurt and angry but then at least Team Berbatov are being honest about it. There’s going to be no Bosman screwing and it’s not like we can feel led on. He’s 26. He’s just entering his prime. He’s good enough to play at a higher level and it’s something that we cannot deny him. At least we’ll make enough millions to buy the next Dimitar Berbatov and that fact that he’s been such a good bit of business should instil some considerable faith in our scouting and transfer departments.
Now, I’ve got rumours to tell y’all about but it’ll have to wait for another time. Take care, now and I’ll see you soon.
Oranges and bagels,
The Bagel.
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March 24th, 2007 at 11:47 am
The stadium of the Sevilla FC is in Nervión’s neighborhood, near the center city (3 kilometres). I am sure that is not going to exist any problem. The local government is preparing zones of hospitality for the fans of the Tottenham, and 41.000 associates of the Sevilla FC will come early to Nervión’s neighborhood to eat, to drink and to prepare the match (In Andalusia, South of Spain Thursday, the 5th of April is festive).
I believe that you do not know the processions of Holy Week of Seville. The religious festival includes 60 processions, and between the midday of the day April 5th and the night of the 6th (friday) there are celebrated 20 processions that cross separately the center of the city. A million persons re-join for the narrow streets of the ancient city.
IT’S A SAFETY PROBLEM.
We all are going to amuse!!!
March 25th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
You’re right. I do not know the processions but what’s another 41,000, many of whom are residents anyway, when we’re talking about more than 1 million people?
The Bagel.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
In the processions, some persons are active participants, but the great majority they are walking and looking. A person can see an hour the procession along the evening, to go to the stadium and to turn another procession along the night, etc. In the religious processions of Seville many persons drink enough!!
The metropolitan area of Seville has 1,5 millions inhabitants approximately. The half they are fans of Sevilla FC, and another half they are fans of the Real Betis (there is a great rivalry). But the geographical area of fans of Seville FC and Betis is Western Andalusia (South Western of Spain).
End of sociological information. A match Sevilla FC-Betis is very interesting to do tourism in Seville!!
Regards
March 26th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
It sounds excellent. I hope Tottenham do right by The Bagel and give the man a ticket.
Otherwise a Sevilla-Betis derby sounds worth flying out for some time.
Has that fixture been played already this season and which side do you support Mr Santi?
The Bagel.
March 27th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I’m support of Sevilla FC!!. This year has been played the andalusian derby. Four times: in “la liga” and in “Copa del Rey” or King’s Cup(similar to FA Cup). Sevilla won and plays the semi-finals April 18th (after eliminating Tottemhan in UEFA Cup??????). Glasgow is an interesting city to visit next May!!!
The problem of Sevilla: It has team to resist three competitions and two matchs per week in April and May??
Good luck!!
Santi
March 28th, 2007 at 12:16 am
Glasgow is an interesting city, doubly so when the Spurs come to town as we shall be doing later in May.
Looking forward to this quater final tie. There’s a feeling all around that this is going to be the tie of the competition. Sevilla are the reigning Champions but we’ve won every game in Europe so far and we intend to keep it that way.
Looking forward to going toe to toe Mr.Santi. May the best team win.
How would you feel about giving us the low down on your players; the one’s we should watch out for? Kanoute we know but an eductation on the rest of your squad would be most appreciated.
The Bagel.
March 28th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
It’s a pity that Tottemhan and Seville they can’t realize joint visit to Glasgow.
The Spanish football is more favorable for Kanouté, but I believe that he is tired now. Other problem of Sevilla is Dani Alves’s injury (he will play on Thursday??). But the forward surprise can be Kerzjakov (russian). Puerta, Navas, Adriano (Brazil), are very rapid in the wings. The defense is good, only 24 goals in “la liga”and Palop (goalkeeper) is excellent. The midfield is very interesting: Poulsen is strong; Renato and Maresca are creative and are good shoot. There aren’t stars, but if 17-18 players of high level (8-9 international players).
In Seville, they can accuse me of to spy in favor of the English football!!!
Here they say that Tottenham has a great squad: his weak point is the defense. I believe that Spurs has a great advantage: the match of return is in London.
Santi
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I have got a ticket to Sevilla FC- Tottenham at 5th april.
Are you interested?
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
[...] The Bagel himself is well and truly sorted and looking forward to a three jolly beginning tomorrow but there is a gentleman by the name of Juan who may be trying to get rid of a ticket. [...]
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:25 pm
i have 2x tickets spurs end vs seivlla i’m in london please contact me for more info 07984190725