...is so fantastic and overwhelming thing that even the blog gets some time off. Sorry for not letting you know about it earlier, but I can guarantee I have something in my back pocket for you to shate - but that will be a bit later on.
Also I can´t bypass a fact of other priorities in mind so let´s try to bear each others´ moods and situations. And if you for whatever reason can´t, I claim it is your loss :o)
Life goes on with or without one blog, there will always be someone to replace the empty space - but as I have tried to express along the way this is also a theraphy channel for me. And I can assure you I am not alone with the motivation.
But again, many thanks to you for sharing the interest with me as there must be a reason for 672 different users (IP-addresses) from 63 different countries from all continents excluding Antarctica, have come to this site over 2000 times since January this year!!!
Regards from a warm environment with fantastic food, drinks and company - not to talk about the environment and touristic opportunities. Talk to you later!
Viva España, Campiones del Mundo!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
You think football season ended last weekend?
You are totally wrong, now the REAL games begun on Monday and today we have the climax!
Last Sunday was the official opening of Helsinki Cup 2010, a tournament that is arranged for the 35th time in Helsinki, Finland. It is said to be the 3rd biggest tournament in the world, but I'm not quite sure what measures are used. Definitely not the budget.
www.helsinkicup.fi
The team I have been cheering for started their tournament on Sunday with a friendly game against Tanzania Soccer Boys, a team collected from the best players of the schools in one area in Tanzania. Having these guys playing in the tournament is a story of its own...
This is one of the sponsored teams that is brought here with an initiative to improve education level in Tanzania.
Football, education, what's the point...?
Well, it is not like in some parts of the world where Mamas and Papa drive their kids to the scool after a morning shower, watching a bit of tv or playing X-Box, and after a healthy donutpeanutbutterjellypankacewhateveryoufindfromthefridge-breakfast.
Kids put on their colorful customized Crocs and their Nike Vapor football shoes for the lunch break games on a grass field - or if you happen to live in a country with strange weather like Finland or Belgium - on artificial grass.
All the kids have a selection of footballs to choose from, someone even the official World Cup ball. And off they go, play a bit and then go back to the air conditioned classrooms until they have the physical education class in the air conditioned indoor gym - since it is either too hot or raining outside.
They put on their shiny Koby-shoes and dream about the LA Lakers - Cleveland Cav's game they went to see during last holiday break. Or since this is a football story LA Galaxy game with David The Man Beckham playing side by side with Landon Donovan...
These Tanzania boys have a bit different background and circumstances in life...
Many of the parents are farmers or run small "business" locally - and many of these kids really live in mud huts. When coming to Finland, many of them are for first time playing with proper football shoes and a new ball!
When we are talking about 11 years old kids, I bet you don't often see referee fixing the shoe laces of a goalie - and another guy sent to the coach for the same reason. By the way, if your 7+ child does not know how to do it, please stop treating him/her as a baby and teach it, I claim it's all about the effort to teach how to do it. And yes, they are able to make their own bed too ;o)
Actually the referee of the Tanzania game (who seemed to be an advanced level one) was also fully capable to speak fluent Swahili and was hosting the team. No wonder, he is working for the organization that brought the team to Finland...
The guys had a fantastic team spirit - and the best smiles came after the Tanzania team scored goals (and they did it quite many times) - they really had thought well their cheerings and routines after the goal. In the tournament they hammered the average teams and continued from their qualification round, but didn't make it to the finals today.
The friendly was a great experience for both teams - and the trip to the tournament in total especially to the Tanzanian children who have a fantastic opportunity to share this experience back home and encourage other children to learn more about the world!!!
And following the "Say No to Racism!" theme, I think this picture is a good promoter the the theme :o)
PS 4 out of the 5 brave who expressed their opinion about the new lay-out said it's better than the old one - perhaps to please me and keep me writing ;o) Most likely I will change some of it some day again, let's see...
Last Sunday was the official opening of Helsinki Cup 2010, a tournament that is arranged for the 35th time in Helsinki, Finland. It is said to be the 3rd biggest tournament in the world, but I'm not quite sure what measures are used. Definitely not the budget.
www.helsinkicup.fi
The team I have been cheering for started their tournament on Sunday with a friendly game against Tanzania Soccer Boys, a team collected from the best players of the schools in one area in Tanzania. Having these guys playing in the tournament is a story of its own...
This is one of the sponsored teams that is brought here with an initiative to improve education level in Tanzania.
Football, education, what's the point...?
Well, it is not like in some parts of the world where Mamas and Papa drive their kids to the scool after a morning shower, watching a bit of tv or playing X-Box, and after a healthy donutpeanutbutterjellypankacewhateveryoufindfromthefridge-breakfast.
Kids put on their colorful customized Crocs and their Nike Vapor football shoes for the lunch break games on a grass field - or if you happen to live in a country with strange weather like Finland or Belgium - on artificial grass.
All the kids have a selection of footballs to choose from, someone even the official World Cup ball. And off they go, play a bit and then go back to the air conditioned classrooms until they have the physical education class in the air conditioned indoor gym - since it is either too hot or raining outside.
They put on their shiny Koby-shoes and dream about the LA Lakers - Cleveland Cav's game they went to see during last holiday break. Or since this is a football story LA Galaxy game with David The Man Beckham playing side by side with Landon Donovan...
These Tanzania boys have a bit different background and circumstances in life...
Many of the parents are farmers or run small "business" locally - and many of these kids really live in mud huts. When coming to Finland, many of them are for first time playing with proper football shoes and a new ball!
When we are talking about 11 years old kids, I bet you don't often see referee fixing the shoe laces of a goalie - and another guy sent to the coach for the same reason. By the way, if your 7+ child does not know how to do it, please stop treating him/her as a baby and teach it, I claim it's all about the effort to teach how to do it. And yes, they are able to make their own bed too ;o)
Actually the referee of the Tanzania game (who seemed to be an advanced level one) was also fully capable to speak fluent Swahili and was hosting the team. No wonder, he is working for the organization that brought the team to Finland...
The guys had a fantastic team spirit - and the best smiles came after the Tanzania team scored goals (and they did it quite many times) - they really had thought well their cheerings and routines after the goal. In the tournament they hammered the average teams and continued from their qualification round, but didn't make it to the finals today.
The friendly was a great experience for both teams - and the trip to the tournament in total especially to the Tanzanian children who have a fantastic opportunity to share this experience back home and encourage other children to learn more about the world!!!
And following the "Say No to Racism!" theme, I think this picture is a good promoter the the theme :o)
PS 4 out of the 5 brave who expressed their opinion about the new lay-out said it's better than the old one - perhaps to please me and keep me writing ;o) Most likely I will change some of it some day again, let's see...
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Countdown is on...
The BIG game will start in 45 minutes and I gotta say the hype around it has been surprisingly big even among people who do not normally follow sports - in Finland that has never played in men's World Cup or Euro Cup...!
The media coverage is understandable, but that people have the topic all the time in mind, wondering where they will follow the final. I will enjoy the home studio - don't have that much interest to go to bars and watch it in a crowd.
The final is expected to gater over 1 billion people, yes 1.000.000.000 people.
The media coverage is understandable, but that people have the topic all the time in mind, wondering where they will follow the final. I will enjoy the home studio - don't have that much interest to go to bars and watch it in a crowd.
The final is expected to gater over 1 billion people, yes 1.000.000.000 people.
Football lunatics - mucha loco!
Vámonos España!!!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Congratulations to the Team Germany...
...even if you were not my favorites for the game. This also means that all medals in these games will stay in Europe :o(
What a football game - that's what I call an entertaining football! During the game it became obvious that no matter who wins the game, it has been a good one and the win is well deserved since both team played instead of boring safe-game...
The only minus for the game I would give to the German fans(?) in the audience; There is NO EXCUSE for the booing when the other team isin attack. Be it for one individual player or for the team, no excuses - just like for there is no excuse for racism or attentionally hurting another player!
Well, another minus came after the final whistle; I bet that Uruguay would have been happy for winning th e game - unlike the Team Germany that looked like finishing a warm-up game against local 2nd division team. Yes, I 110% understand and symphatize that you wanted to win the tournament - just like 30+ other teams - but please show a little passion too!
Many thanks for the Uruguay and Germany teams for the love of football game - and for the fans a serious reminder that IT IS ONLY A GAME!!!
Team Uruguay, you can keep your heads up - you showed you are a strong team, what a finish with 10 cm from overtime!
Congratulations Team Germany!
PS I heard Spain is arranging a big Welcome Home -party for the team no matter what the outcome of the final is. That's what I call loyalty and support!
What a football game - that's what I call an entertaining football! During the game it became obvious that no matter who wins the game, it has been a good one and the win is well deserved since both team played instead of boring safe-game...
The only minus for the game I would give to the German fans(?) in the audience; There is NO EXCUSE for the booing when the other team isin attack. Be it for one individual player or for the team, no excuses - just like for there is no excuse for racism or attentionally hurting another player!
Well, another minus came after the final whistle; I bet that Uruguay would have been happy for winning th e game - unlike the Team Germany that looked like finishing a warm-up game against local 2nd division team. Yes, I 110% understand and symphatize that you wanted to win the tournament - just like 30+ other teams - but please show a little passion too!
Many thanks for the Uruguay and Germany teams for the love of football game - and for the fans a serious reminder that IT IS ONLY A GAME!!!
Team Uruguay, you can keep your heads up - you showed you are a strong team, what a finish with 10 cm from overtime!
Congratulations Team Germany!
Kiitos!
Suomesta on käynyt sivulla 250 eri kävijää = IP-osoitetta, henkilökunta kiittää luottamuksesta ja jatkaa samaa luokatonta linjaa.
PS Ethän unohda huomisiltana kliimaksin saavan teeman mukaista profiilikuvaa ;o)
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PSS Now we have got over 1900 page visits and total number of unique visitors is 600 - Many thanks from the production line!
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PSS Now we have got over 1900 page visits and total number of unique visitors is 600 - Many thanks from the production line!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
...to the 3 brave persons who bothered to say what they think, highly appreciated!
Let's see if we can double the opinions by Sunday eve since I prolonged the reply time. If I'd take the traditional controller-approach, I'd just publish that 66% of my readers think the new layout is better than the old one, and nobody says they do not care. Sounds good, hah!
Does it really matter to me what the outcome is?
Well, not that much since I am also amusing myself here. I guess I am the most frequent visitor on the page so it's ok that I have some decision power.
My loyal reader gave me feedback about the tag list that has become enormous. True, it is looooooooooooooong but on the other hand I have no clue if anyone is using it. Other than me since I've used it to find links to some old stories I have been referring to.
Be brave and say what you think about the lay-out, if not for any other reason but to let me know you exist ;o)
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Football World Cup is facing the grand final this weekend. I am very pleased to see Holland and Spain playing in the final - even if only 50% of them are on my top favorite list. Still, if it goes to "wrong" way I am not that sad since thanks to the time spent in Holland for work and pleasure (including Queen's Day) - and not least to the Dutch friends, I will not cry if the trophy is taken home by the team in orange.
Gotta say the bronze game is not that much of an interest to me, other than I wish the winner comes outside of Europe.
Let's see if we can double the opinions by Sunday eve since I prolonged the reply time. If I'd take the traditional controller-approach, I'd just publish that 66% of my readers think the new layout is better than the old one, and nobody says they do not care. Sounds good, hah!
Does it really matter to me what the outcome is?
Well, not that much since I am also amusing myself here. I guess I am the most frequent visitor on the page so it's ok that I have some decision power.
My loyal reader gave me feedback about the tag list that has become enormous. True, it is looooooooooooooong but on the other hand I have no clue if anyone is using it. Other than me since I've used it to find links to some old stories I have been referring to.
Be brave and say what you think about the lay-out, if not for any other reason but to let me know you exist ;o)
----
Football World Cup is facing the grand final this weekend. I am very pleased to see Holland and Spain playing in the final - even if only 50% of them are on my top favorite list. Still, if it goes to "wrong" way I am not that sad since thanks to the time spent in Holland for work and pleasure (including Queen's Day) - and not least to the Dutch friends, I will not cry if the trophy is taken home by the team in orange.
Gotta say the bronze game is not that much of an interest to me, other than I wish the winner comes outside of Europe.
Viva España!!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Happy Birthday USA!
I am jealous of my god daughter (+ her sister, brother, and sister-in-law) who gets a chance to spend 4th of July celebration in New York - perkele, I'd love to be there too!!!
Still, I'm happy to be here in Finland. The day looks like to start with a football/soccer player delivery to a tournament (where I unfortunately can not follow the games, saw one today and loved it again), then take the visiting team to local market place and most likely to visit Suomenlinna, the fortress island in front of Helsinki. This is part of the Unesco World Heritage.
Few words about the football World Cup;
Don't cry for me Argentina, let's keep the tears in heaven! But why against Germany and 4-0...?
Vámonos España, kick some Paraquay ass or I will cancel my Andalucia trip!!!
Don't cry for me Argentina, let's keep the tears in heaven! But why against Germany and 4-0...?
Vámonos España, kick some Paraquay ass or I will cancel my Andalucia trip!!!
Oh boy oh boy, where is the World Cup going to...
Dear American friends,
The ones that are aware of the Football (soccer) World Cup that is going on in South Africa, might be aware of the fact that Team USA is out after fairly good performance. I noticed that at least your former President Bill Clinton made it there supporting USA.
However, if you have wondered why there were so few American supporters in the audience, the picture below might explain why they didn't find their way to the stadium.
The ones that are aware of the Football (soccer) World Cup that is going on in South Africa, might be aware of the fact that Team USA is out after fairly good performance. I noticed that at least your former President Bill Clinton made it there supporting USA.
However, if you have wondered why there were so few American supporters in the audience, the picture below might explain why they didn't find their way to the stadium.
If you at this point wonder what's the point I'm trying to make, you should get yourself a map. Bigger then your home state ;o)
Yesterday one of my (3) favorite teams dropped out after a peculiar performance. Brazil was leading the game and then they make an own goal, Dutch finish a good one from a corner kick, and when Brazil is 1-2 down something snaps between the brain and leg of a Brazilian player: He kicks a Dutch player on the ground and gets a well deserved red card.
Out of the game and Brazil is trying to catch up with 1 player less. Well, effort was good but my favorite cheerleaders are out from the tournament :o(
Well, my two latino favorites are still in: Spain and Argentina.
Argentina was actually my first World Cup favorite at the age of 10 or something, purely due to their shirts that I loved.
Since I got to understand football a bit more, Brazil has been the team and during the past ~10 years Spain has somehow gotten my heart and support. Not least due to visiting the country both for leisure and business for about 20+ times.
This support was crowned 2 years ago at the Euro Cup; We were in Spain for holiday during the games and while Spain won the Cup and I can tell you the Spanish had the party LOUD!
Before that, I have some bigger games to support: My son is in the middle of a tournament.
C'mon guys, HYVÄ HONKA!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy Birthday Canada!
Today is the Canada Day - 143rd birthday of Canada, congratulations!
I have the pleasure to enjoy part of the day with people who carry the Canadian passport so let's see what type of celebration is to come.
I bet it will be far from the Finnish version on 6th December.
...we Finns tend to take these things quite seriously
(perhaps for reasons dating back at 1918 and 1939-1945).
(perhaps for reasons dating back at 1918 and 1939-1945).
Cheers - Santé - Kippis - Hölökynkölökyn!
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