Sunday Morning Football, Vol. 1

To give you a little flavor of my Sunday mornings, I thought I'd write a brief post. I'm always sitting here at my computer between 11 and 1 because there are always 6 La Liga (that's the top football league in Spain) games going on then. It seems that every week something out of the ordinary happens, and hopefully I will be able to illuminate some of the more interesting things that go on through this weekly column.

I'll first begin by talking about the Getafe - Gijon game. Getafe have been consistently good in La Liga over the course of the last few years, qualifying for European competition at least once or twice, making it to the finals of the domestic cup and boasting a solid defense. In contrast, Gijon were promoted last year. Yet they have surpassed many people's expectations, lying in 11th going into this weekend, largely due to the fact that they haven't drawn a game in 19 outings this season.

That was probably more background information than you wanted, but you'll have to live with it. So what was so fascinating about this game, you ask? Well, a rather young forward by the name of Roberto Soldado came on for Getafe to replace Manu in the 13th minute because Manu picked up an injury. He promptly scored two minutes later. Wow, quick return. Well he wasn't done. He scored again in the 57th minute and again in the 72nd minute. The substitute grabs himself a hat-trick. Hat-tricks are rare to begin with, but to see one from a substitute is especially uncommon. Unfortunately, I don't work for ESPN so I don't have 15 computer guys running around in the back getting me the statistics on the last time it happened! Anyway, maybe the coach will think of starting him next time.

Additionally, I wanted to highlight one player from the Bilbao - Almeria game. Bilbao started a central defender named Aldekoaotalora Ustaritz. Bilbao traditionally recruits all the best Basque players. If they were judged on the unpronounceability of their names, Aldekoaotalora Ustaritz would undoubtedly be one of their stars.

The games just ended and Málaga have ensured themselves of being within 2 points of Champions League football at the end of the weekend! That would be a lovely surprise next year. And to think that at the beginning of the season, I was just hoping they'd stay in the top division!

Until next week...