Watch out for the Spurs PDF Print E-mail
Jack Biantan
Wednesday, 08 August 2007

Thats me with some members of the Yids army
LONDON, England - It was the most exhausting weekend of my life here the football capital city of the world.

After watching two explosive matches live in two consecutive days who would not be exhausted? My almost 40-yr-old body was starting to break down and my brain was beginning to fail me. London was also at the apex of its summer heat. Saturday was hot but Sunday was the hottest day of the year.

But in the end I have realized how lucky I was to witness three of the Premiership sides, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in action in just two days. It was dream come true for a football fan from the third world like me.

Last Saturday (Aug.4) Tottenham Hotspurs got one goal each from Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov to extend their unbeaten run of 23 games in friendly matches with a 2-0 win over Torino of the Serie-A, just in our neighbourhood at the White Heart stadium in Tottenham.

With less than a week to go before the Premiership opens, Spur's victory has sent a chilling warning to the top four teams, Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

It has been a long time that the Spurs have been picked as among the top contenders in the EPL. Last year, the Spurs almost made it to the top four and got a spot in the European Champions League. However, they lost their last three games after several players were knocked down by food poisoning after their important match against West Ham.

This year, the Spurs finished the 2006-2007 season also in the fifth spot failing to get into the Champions League again but earning another slot to the European Cup.

This coming season, the EPL has the Spurs to thank for, for making the league more interesting. It is for the first time in many years that Tottenham have spent serious money at the summer transfer market.

So when we went to the Spurs match against Torino in the hot Saturday afternoon, expectations were high. They were so high that despite being a friendly match, the White Heart Lane was full.

My wife Virma
Thats my official photographer in front of the a souvenir shop outside the White Heart Lane
I was with my official photographer, my wife Virma. I love to bring her around because she is an expert in taking souvenir photos.

The more than 36,000 fans which trooped the White Heart Lane with us were not disappointed. We saw a full Spurs squad with newly signed players like Darren Bent, Youne Kaboul, Garreth Bale and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Only team captain Ledley King was missing. King is facing another disappointing season with another knee problem.

In the absence of King, Youne Kaboul compensated in the defense. He was a brilliant signing as he was a pillar of strength at the back and even set up Robbie Keane in the 15th minute to give Spurs a 1-0 halftime lead.

But the cheers were reserved for the flashy Dimitar Berbatov. I was surprised of the attention that Berbatov had since he signed for Spurs last season. He had a sensational season for the Spurs scoring 23 goals. He then added another one in the 64th minute to seal Tottenham's victory.

When I saw him in action, I then realized why he is being adored at the White Heart Lane. He is a very strong and skilful striker and his partnership with Robbie Keane up front has made the Spurs a damn good team. My hair all over my body stood up every time I heard the terraces sang, D-I-M-I-T-A-R B-E-R-B-A-T-O-V.

Tottenham bought the 26-year-old Bulgarian for £10.9 million from Bayer Leverkusen and he is worth every penny.

HARDCORE FANS

The £40 I paid for two tickets was also worth every penny. We got very good seats. Probably, the best. You know why? We were in the South stands of the stadium. We were exactly at the center of the hardcore, YID army. Few meters away, were a few Torino supporters, around 2,000 of them.

It was amazingly boisterous. Every time there was a lull in the match, somebody would lead the chanting and the entire section of around 10,000 men, women, and even children would erupt. Some of their chants were Y-I-D-S OK?, STAND UP IF YOU AIN'T ARSENAL. ROBBO,ROBBO ENGLAND NO. 1. (Referring to goalkeeper Paul Robinson). There were many more chants but lots of them were X-rated.

Torino supporters
The Torino supporters would then reply with their own chanting and God knows what they were chanting about. When Tottenham scored the YIDS army would face the Torino supporters and chant, YOU ARE NOT SINGING ANYMORE.

But what really struck me most was the show of hatred towards Arsenal, Tottenham's more successful neighbour in North London. Every time the STAND UP IF YOU AINT ARSENAL chants start, everyone would stand up and raise their two hands. When a steward tried to stop a rowdy group of fans from standing while everyone was sitting, the crowd simultaneously then shouted together, THE STEWARD IS A GOONER.

To tell you the truth I enjoyed more the chants and the exchange of obscene words between rival fans than the match. A lot of the fans on my side did not even care about the match. All they cared about were what the supporters from the other side were doing.

Despite of the shouting and the dirty language the match ended with out any violence. It only showed that the English FA's efforts of eradicating violence in the beautiful game have already bear fruits. After the final whistle, the entire South stand gave the Torino supporters a standing ovation.

I watched the Chelsea vs Man United match last Sunday but I do not have space for the story today. I will write about it next. 

BEND IT SWEEPSTAKES

Starting this column, readers who would give comments are entitled to win an England shirt or any legend's portraits by the end of this month. The winner will be announced on the first week of September. This is just a small act of appreciation to my readers. The shirts I am giving are original Umbro shirts that cost me a small fortune. The portraits were bought from a sports memorabilia shop in Ashford, England. GOD BLESS

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Comments (15) >>

Giancarlo said: _

  hello...hindi ko akalain na meron pala website about sa pinoy soccer/football... ang galing talaga...gusto ko manalo ng isang england shirt, wohoooo....
October 13, 2007

Harvey Quimque said: _

 

Dear Jack,

Hi! Do you remember me from the mlsdf toledo? well its been a long time since then..im harvey..well its nice to hear something from you..i remembr before that i wore your super big shoes in toledo hehehe..well i still play football until now and im really wishing to play for the national team...hope i will have a chance..


thanks and good luck

harvey quimque
October 13, 2007

william a fregil said: _

  Hi Jack!
Just dopping by to let you know that REAL NEGRENSE FOOTBALL CLUB above 38 members appreciate much ur column. Hi to Jun,the 2 williams, kaloy, ref, stephen, larry, jon cri,step, roy , nante, bebot worldcup,2julius, felix , martin and Pyok.U r a great team...go ahead continue scoring... its a great score as ur age goes by too!!
October 03, 2007

william a fregil said: _

  Hope to see you in Bacolod City.
September 28, 2007

william a fregil said: _

  Hi Jack,

I am an avid fan of Man U. How I wish we will have a star like rooney and ronaldo, thus star like them likewise the popularity will unite the squander world of football in our country Phils. Why dont we get the likes of Younghusband and fit in our national squad for sometime, there once appearance during last year games in Bacolod united the filipinos. Vietnam, Thai , Malaysia and other teams could not match too with ours if the unity is there all through out the season.
Continue your column , we really like it. Hello to football fanatics out there...join us! Lets put our country into the map of football.
September 28, 2007

W. said: _

  Am I too late for the shirt?
Does this count as a comment? :D

ok, I agree, it's definitely going to be very interesting year with the resurgence of spurs but unfortunately for them, liverpool seems to be one step ahead. In fact, Im hoping they will be ahead of everyone else. :)
September 12, 2007

Anthon said: _

  Just read your column and I really found it interesting. I'm just a newbie in the sport, having been exposed to it only since last year, during the World Cup, but I'm fairly familiar with England's teams, most especially Manchester United. Can't wait to read your column about them.

Right now my dream is to be able to go to the World Cup in South Africa on 2010. Wow, hope I can really fulfill it.
September 08, 2007

Francis said: _

  It could not be overemphasized more than the fact that the world speaks one common language: football. It is the only unifying factor of the world. It is the telling and glamorous heritage of the world. It is the culture of the world. It is the burning passion of the world. Any football ignoramus is guilty of intellectual failure.

To celebrate a goal is no different from a sexual orgasm. It is physically and psychologically satisfying and rewarding. It gives you life. It gives you hope. It gives you confidence. It shows you your genuis. It reflects your human-ness and potentials. Footall is the overall celebration of humanity and human ingenuity.

Hi Jack, I am so glad that you had the chance to witness the real atmosphere of the celebration of football in England. Some fans are so compassionate about football in such a way that they are ready to give their lives just to dedend their favourite teams. I really wish that Philippines would see the light and welcome the unexplainable richness of football culture. Almost every man, from boy to grandfather, knows the game.
August 17, 2007

rommel said: _

  I won't give my piece on your column this week.... but I am going to say something very special.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOAQUIN....
40 YRS OF LIVING... HEHEHEHE.
KEEP THOSE CHOLESTEROLE DOWN BIG BRO....


LOVE AND CARES,

ROMMEL
August 15, 2007

Sophia Meza said: _

  Jack,
I loved your column. First of all, i used to not be a big soccer fan, but now i love it. I enjoy watching the games and i agree with you when you talk about the rush and the feeling, when your at the games or at the stadium. I never realized the passion, until your watching your team. I went to the Boca stadium in Argentina and the people there are crazy. Die Hard fans. It's such a rush just being in the stadium, then when game day came against River it's has a madhouse, which gets somewhat dangerous. I enjoyed your column, and look foward to learn more about soccer and read more or your stuff.
August 13, 2007

ino said: _

  jack,

i read your column everytime. Thanks for all the football stories and sharing your live football match experience in Europe. It is indeed a dream come true for any football fanatic. I just wish someday, the Philippines will experience the same aura of football in UK, even just half of it. But anyway, to more personal comment, i think your face, as shown in the picture, does not reflect your real age. What do you think?
August 10, 2007

Erik Gomez said: _

  Jack, LOL Virma is doubling as your official photographer... she took got shots though. I saw some of it that you posted in multiply. Would you mind if i grab some for my blog. I may be writing some over the weekend. I got a few hours in my hand this Saturday and Sunday despite my very busy schedule. Anyway, it's really great reading your article. Love your comments on the chanting and die-hard fans. I guess this is what football is all about a beautiful game that completely enjoyed by the fans of both team. I am happyI can forgive the bad-language as long as there violence involved in the pitch and/or the stands. More power and keep those articles coming. Good luck to your beloved Spurs.
August 10, 2007

reddevil said: _

  Hi Jack,

Again, I am green with envy, you having watched manchester united at wembley! Well, its once again a huge lift for us here with your coverage and also that of Eduard in the LA Galaxy debut of David Beckham. Nice photos too. Berbatov is definitely a great talent and more and more people are taking notice. I heard Manu was really interested in getting him and when they werent able to, they went after Tevez. It would have been a massive loss for the Spurs.

I would also like to add to dino's comments. ESPN/Star Sports have been like that for the past couple of years. They have a different line up of games for the Philippines and the rest of Asia. Thats why they announced it, for the other asian countries. Its terrible, we end up geting delayed coverage of baseball and snooker games when they can show these fantastic match ups live. Last two seasons, they have not showed the man-utd-chelsea games or the man utd-liverpool games. Of course they showed these same games in all the other countries in Asia. iam sure espn-star has advisers here in the Philippines. I email them all the time and they simply ignore me because i dont think too many other people complain. So dino, got to their website, espnstar.com and click on the "contact us" link (programming section). Ask your friends to also. We want football, not these bloody snooker, baseball and x games. Who the hell watches that in the Philippines?? Sorry Jack..iam digressing but I am just glad someone else feels the same way about it.
August 09, 2007

RON said: _

  The unbelievable atmosphere in the stadium emphasizes the difference between watching the game at home or live. That atmosphere also defines the very nature and existence of the "beautiful game" itself. It looks beautifully played when you are watching it but a lot of action is going on in the pitch.
August 09, 2007

dino said: _

  manU vs Chelsea meaning the community shield match? haha, I didn't like how ESPN announced the match on TV one week prior to the fixture, only to quietly pull it out. I don't know if other countries in SE Asia got it, but heck I was anticipating that match even if the Community Shield is a pretty minor win. Still though, Van Der Sar must feel really confident taking a penalty shootout 3-0.

How I wish I could be there in England to watch a match.
August 09, 2007
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