Green lagoon
Had FDs lived when people worshipped the weather, they would have been treated like deities: the moment the match kicked off the rain stopped. The fact the it started again few minutes later takes nothing away from the narrative of FDs’ supra natural powers. This is what believing is about.
The pitch was a green lagoon with water and grass mixing in perilous patches so big and deep to strand even players like FDs. The 13 sailors boarded the ships with no hesitation confident to navigate the marshes and ultimately show the victory flag from the highest mast, attacking every time the enemy was in sight , in total disregard of tactics and prudence.
The odd number of players created a problem in finessing the teams’ balance as it turned out later in the match. The most coveted role was goalkeeper as only Alessandro answered the call of duty and his performance was worth every penny the Oranges paid to secure his services. Buffon conceded: ‘Had Alessandro decided to play professionally I wouldn’t have a World Cup to my name’. Fair enough though a bit of an obvious comment.
The Orange started one man down but with Johannes in their ranks exuded confidence and early on took the lead with Julien who made the most from a casual assist from Giancarlo. They also squandered few opportunities which they were made to regret by the annoyed Colours.
The turning point was when Francesco, playing with a red shirt too similar to orange, turned it inside out. He then went on to score a double, along with dribbles, assists and nutmeg.
One by one the Colours’ fans, oblivious to the incessant rain, did the same ritual hoping that the turning of their shirt could change their fortunes. There are tales of fans who were welcome back home, instead of the grumpy wives, by the likes of Bella Hadid and Naomi Campbell. Can anyone think of a simpler gesture to turn his own life?
All of a sudden the Orange found themselves 1-4 down with Nizard running riots in the opposition box with the tireless Bijan proving the ammunitions and Hannes miraculously saving everything going his way.
Orange badly needed someone to add stability to defence and able to push forward when required: Thomas fit the bill and when the vast price tag for the switch was spelt out the Orange didn’t flinch and added him to the rank.
It was indeed a bargain as the pendulum swung in Oranges’ favour with Johannes close to score the goal of the season from long distance and then riding a poker. Julien came close to that with a a ‘coup de chapeau’, otherwise known as hat trick o tripletta. Andrea M and Giancarlo rounded up the bonanza for a final 9-6 as the Colours were also denied the consolation of the golden goal.
Giancarlo’s goal was a replica of that scored by Francesco Totti against Sampdoria: on a curling in pinpointed corner by Hannes Giancarlo from the far side with his weak foot lashed in a volley the keeper intercepted but was unable to save. The only difference being that while Totti run away in delight, Giancarlo ended up in a paddle only to be rescued by the local fire brigade, luckily few hundreds yards away.
As for the Man of the Match voters were spoilt for choice and the likes of Johannes, Nizard, Bijan, Giancarlo and Francesco attracted enough votes to comfortably win the next UK election. But it was a household name to grab the award.
In sharp contrast to current overdressed keepers sporting fancy brands, Hannes ruled the muddy goal in shorts, short sleeves, short socks, no gloves, no cap, no nothing enjoying every dive and tackle, making unimaginable saves to keep his mates in contention. A new definition of heaven is on the make: the cop is English, the lover Italian and the (muddy) goalkeeper is German, in fact Hannes.
ORANGE-COLOURS 9-6
GOALS
ORANGE: Johannes (4), Julien (3), Giancarlo, Andrea M
COLOURS: Nizard (4), Francesco (2)
TEAMS
ORANGE: Alessandro, Giancarlo, Andrea M, Julien, Ali, Johannes, (Thomas)
COLOURS: Hannes, Massimo, Bijan, Thomas, Andrea R, Nizard, Francesco
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