If tomorrow at 2:45 (14:45) you have nothing particular to do, your humble correspondent recommends you tune into the small matter of Arsenal vs. Barcelona. These two teams are known for playing (according to most) the best, most attractive football (soccer) on the European continent. On top of that, Barcelona are considered by many to be the best team on the planet. Their records and numbers really speak for themselves. This is a two-legged affair, however, and the first game being played at Arsenal's Emirate's Stadium (our team is sponsored by Fly Emirates, the national airline of Dubai. I hear they are great to fly with. I will have to try them out. Unfortunately I don't think they are part of my preferred airline alliance, Star Alliance) Wow, was it a heart-stopper. Arsenal went down early 1-0, but roared back in the final stages of the game to win 2-1, the second goal coming after some breath-taking football on our part, and a great finish by our little Russian forward, Andrey Arshavin.
So tomorrow's match will be played at the Nou Camp, Barcelona's home turf. Most are assuming that Barcelona will turn over that 2-1 deficit and move forward in the competition. It has to be said, their form at home is really pretty admirable, they rarely lose or draw there. Also, if you remember from my retelling of my Spain trip, I have visited the Nou Camp, and I can see how it would be intimidating for any visiting side. It is a cavernous stadium, and I think it holds something like 80,000 people. Imagine having somewhere near that number screaming in support of the team you are playing against.
The circumstances look pretty daunting, but I will be pulling, as usual, for the Gunners. Anyway, if tomorrow's match is anything like the first, it will make for some fantastic viewing, well, for the neutral. For anyone supporting either side, I recommend controlled breathing.
In other news, I am getting geared up for my eight-day trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While there, I may also do a day trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, which is just on the other side of the Rio Plata. Apparently ferries run between the two cities. Anyway, for content related to that adventure, watch this space beginning on the nineteenth.
Before South America I ship off for West Lafayette, Indiana on Friday. What's there, you ask? My girlfriend, otherwise, I wouldn't bother. I do have to say though, some really good restaurants near the Purdue campus.......
So tomorrow's match will be played at the Nou Camp, Barcelona's home turf. Most are assuming that Barcelona will turn over that 2-1 deficit and move forward in the competition. It has to be said, their form at home is really pretty admirable, they rarely lose or draw there. Also, if you remember from my retelling of my Spain trip, I have visited the Nou Camp, and I can see how it would be intimidating for any visiting side. It is a cavernous stadium, and I think it holds something like 80,000 people. Imagine having somewhere near that number screaming in support of the team you are playing against.
The circumstances look pretty daunting, but I will be pulling, as usual, for the Gunners. Anyway, if tomorrow's match is anything like the first, it will make for some fantastic viewing, well, for the neutral. For anyone supporting either side, I recommend controlled breathing.
In other news, I am getting geared up for my eight-day trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While there, I may also do a day trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, which is just on the other side of the Rio Plata. Apparently ferries run between the two cities. Anyway, for content related to that adventure, watch this space beginning on the nineteenth.
Before South America I ship off for West Lafayette, Indiana on Friday. What's there, you ask? My girlfriend, otherwise, I wouldn't bother. I do have to say though, some really good restaurants near the Purdue campus.......
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