Football (Soccer) Thread

[Sheilbh]

Obviously it is bad but the mum locking herself into a church and going on hunger strike (to support her sex pest son) and there is now a protest outside the church, it is taking a very Almodovar turn

That's just Spain 

The mother played by Marisa Paredes, Rubiales by Luis Tosar, Jorge Vilda by Banderas - Penelope Cruz is involved, somehow.

[Zoupa]

Chelsea lol.

Spurs are quite enjoyable to watch so far. We've got our Tottenham back!

[Barrister]

So we have a new international student again.  We're back to Spain - a girl from Seville.  It's only been 24 hours but she seem sweet.

Now every time we have new international students they bring us gifts.  Normally it's something like chocolate.  They don't have to of course, but it's something someone must be telling them they need to do, since they all do it.

But this girl (Maria) went all out.  Amongst other things she brought me (and specifically me) a jersey from Sevilla FC.  It's an away, I think it looks really sharp.  I know next to nothing about La Liga (or soccer), but I'm touched.  I decide that I'm going to be a fan of Sevilla for this season, just for fun.

I check the standings.

Oh.

Ah well - if I can survive my favourite team not existing for 15 years, I can survive trying to follow a crappy La Liga team.  Looks like La Liga is even covered by Canada's TSN - if I can figure out the online streaming aspect I might try to check out the game of Sevilla vs Athletico Madrid tomorrow morning!

[HVC]

It'd be funny if she was a fan of the rival team

[Barrister]

Well it'll be easier than trying to follow my former "favourite" team - EC Bahia from Brazil.

(which I only claimed as my favourite because my sister-in-law is from there.  It's not like I wouldn't check the Brazilian league standings more than once or twice per year)

[Josquius]

Following an underdog for reasons of actual connection, no matter how slight, is the proper way to do it.


Yesterday Sunderland walloped Southampton 5-0.
Which is bizzare. So far this year we've struggled against fairly Meh teams, but now we crush one of the leagues favourites.
Amongst the scorers was a 16 year old which isn't unheard of but always blows my mind.
Our top signing the summer was Jobe Bellingham, brother of the other Bellingham. He's only 17 and already pretty much core of the team.

[Sheilbh]

It'd be funny if she was a fan of the rival team

Although probably better for BB. At least given Sid Lowe's motto about their rival, "always watch Betis".

[celedhring]

Sevilla are a very good team, certainly one of "best of the rest" in Spain after Barçadrid. BB is catching them at a bad point in time though. Yet, they still are the reigning EL champs and will be playing in the CL.

[Josephus]

Ah well - if I can survive my favourite team not existing for 15 years, I can survive trying to follow a crappy La Liga team.  Looks like La Liga is even covered by Canada's TSN - if I can figure out the online streaming aspect I might try to check out the game of Sevilla vs Athletico Madrid tomorrow morning!

They're a decent team. I think they are the current UEFA Cup holders.

[Admiral Yi]

Barçadrid

Nice

[Barrister]

Sevilla are a very good team, certainly one of "best of the rest" in Spain after Barçadrid. BB is catching them at a bad point in time though. Yet, they still are the reigning EL champs and will be playing in the CL.

That's good to know!

Like I said (and will continue to say) I know nothing.  I just looked at the standings and saw Sevilla at the absolute bottom, even though admittedly it's quite early.

Are there any good websites in English that follow Spanish football?

[Sheilbh]

It won't cover anything but I'd recommend Sid Lowe for the Guardian who is an outstanding writer on Spanish football.

I feel like the Athletic would probably be best for covering all the games but I'm not sure...

Edit: *won't cover everything

[Barrister]

It won't cover anything but I'd recommend Sid Lowe for the Guardian who is an outstanding writer on Spanish football.

I feel like the Athletic would probably be best for covering all the games but I'm not sure...

I used to have a subscription to The Athletic for their hockey coverage.  I really should re-up.  Hell just for their Winnipeg Jets writer, Murat Ates, it was worth it (yes he's a Turkish guy living in Winnipeg and writing about hockey - I love Canada).

[HVC]

The true Canadian experience. Atta-Turk!

[celedhring]

In my experience, The Athletic's coverage of La Liga is rather poor, particularly outside of the Big Two. As pointed out Sid Lowe at The Guardian is excellent, though.

I'm told this is also a decent place, but I don't follow it myself: https://www.football-espana.net/category/la-liga/sevilla

Also, if you are willing to put up with online translation, muchodeporte.com is the goto place for Sevilla/Betis stuff.