[Andrew999]

The delayed Euro 2020 soccer tournament kicks off in three months time.

To create some atmosphere in the build-up, some enterprising Russians have launched a graphic novel series based on the lead personalities in their team entitled 'The Road to Euro':

https://www.sports.ru/football/1094552463-predstavlen-komiks-o-dzyube-ob-obretenii-sverxsposobnosti-v-futbole-et.html

The first episode is now on sale and focuses on team captain Artem Dzyuba.

The plot in a nutshell works like this: There are forces of Light and Dark. Light forces enter your body and help you to develop skills to triumph in Life (in this case, soccer skills). Dark forces try to disrupt your progress by throwing obstacles in your path (eg emotional turmoil or physical injury). Can Artem manipulate the forces of Light within him to triumph over the Dark forces against him?

It's a neat idea - I hope it works for the creators involved.

[paw broon]

While I hope the project is successful, I have to say that I don't enjoy football and I wont be going anywhere near the tournament. I think a mis-spent youth watching Airdrie has destroyed the game's appeal.  Although on the occasions I am unfortunate enough to see a bit of a game on tv, it looks boring.

[Andrew999]

I agree - I'm not a soccer fan either - more of a Rugby and Aussie Rules fan - though I also like arena sports like ice hockey, floorball and handball - and baseball too for some reason (I think it's the maths and the rhythm of the game that attracts me.)

[paw broon]

Ah well, you see, I love cricket and baseball and get roundly slagged off by so called pals when I mention it.
Aussie rules used to be on tv but it's not now - I don't have Sky or BT sports, so don't keep up as well with sports stuff nowadays.  My other big source of sports enjoyment is American football.  I've been following the Bengals since the end of Ken Anderson's time with the team. Early '80's?
The 4th test, India v England is on Talk Sport 2, but it's a hard listen given the batting collapses.  As soon as I'm up tomorrow, on with the radio to "enjoy" some test match cricket with my porridge.

[The Australian Panther]

As I've said before, I'm a Rugby League Man but will watch a Rugby Union or Soccer game if it is an Iternational occasionally. The intensity makes it interesting.
Australia has [embarrassingly] recently been lousy at Cricket and Rugby Union.
During Lockdown, the fact that highly paid Sportsmen and women have been able to move freely from state to state - because of the amount of money involved - while  the rest of us are locked down, has been a major cause of angst.

Meanwhile here are some trick shots by the Australian Kangaroos a few years ago.
Watch Johnathan Thurston''s first kick - Youtube that! 
and then the one at 1:20 - repeated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUhcw7Qd2Bg

Johnathan Thurston's Freakish Goal Kicking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6J9dGdQXKQ

Cheers!

[Andrew999]

Jonathan Thurston is my God - he sits on the throne with Wally Lewis to his right and Mal Meninga on the left (Ellery Hanley was away on a mission that day)