Sports Update – Olympic Flashback + Barcelona Controversy

by silcharles | Posted on Aug 07 2010 | Sports in Beijing 0 Comments | 0 Bookmarked

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Olympic Flashback Charity Drinkathon

Feeling nostalgic for the Beijing Olympics? Want to contribute to a harmonious society as well as your state of inebriation? Join Beijing Boyce and friends for Olympic Flashback drink deals all weekend in honor of the two year anniversary of the Beijing Olympics. A portion of every drink consumed will be donated to CAI, which includes improving sports programs in local migrant schools as part of its mission. The full schedule of events and activities from the Beijing Boyce blog follow:

Saturday, August 7
Paddy O’Shea’s, 8-11 PM
This sports bar will have mixed drinks at RMB25, with RMB10 going to CAI. Enjoy sports videos and the wit of Major Tom. This place was packed during the opening ceremony in 2008.
China Doll, 11 PM-2 AM
“Flaming gold medal” shooters for RMB30, with RMB15 going to CAI. China Doll will show footage and photos photos from its Olympics parties and display its flag decorated with signatures of scores of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including Usain Bolt.

Sunday, August 8
Fubar, 6-8 PM
To honor the Olympic mascots, the drink de jour at this bar in the base of Workers Stadium will be the (literally) pint-sized Fu Wa for RMB25, with RMB15 going to CAI. Fubar will also get into the sporting spirit by holding the five-event “Futathlon“.
George’s, 8 PM on
A hop, skip, and jump from Fubar, this upscale bar will offer RMB30 martinis, with RMB15 going to CAI. It will also show a repeat of the start and finish of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Gung Ho Pizza at George’s, 9 PM. During the opening ceremonies, Gung Ho will provide five pizzas to be set up like the Olympic rings. The pizza will go for RMB10 a slice, with proceeds going to CAI.

Barcelona Controversy

Barcelona has come to town and judging by their lackluster showing in Korea we are really going to be in for a treat (that’s sarcasm). Not bringing any of its World Cup winning stars such as David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol and Xavi is a big problem. I understand these guys are tired and want a bit of R&R before their respective seasons start again, but why would you risk damaging the brand of Barcelona and themselves just for a couple of weeks off? It’s not like they would even have to play hard. Messi played 17 minutes against the Korean All-star team and scored twice in a game they ended up winning 5-2. After their visit the K-League went so far as to release an official statement decrying Barcalona’s "insincere attitude."

I think this exerpt from an ESPN soccernet story says it all:

“while Lionel Messi and Dani Alves were obviously tired at the first press conference the day after, they seemed to neither know or care where they were. Dani Alves said that ‘Brazil played against Korea in the World Cup. They were a very good team.’ Messi, who actually did play against South Korea in South Africa, replied when asked for his first impressions of the country: ‘I didn't see much. I don't know where I am and what time it is. I'm too tired.’”

I saw two Barcelona shirts on the commute to work today. One was an actual kit and the other was a promotional shirt from their last visit in 2007. My commute is one stop and takes 10 minutes and it’s not exactly CBD. The fans are here. And they don’t ask for much. I ask again: why risk the good will of the people and the Barcelona brand by offering a lackluster product? It’s a win-win for everyone if you bring the best players. The team and individual players get exposure to the lucrative China market and the fans don’t feel like they are having their intelligence insulted. But that’s exactly what is happening. Asian fans are not as dumb as you think, Barca. Let’s see how long their memories are.

One thing’s certain: You don’t need soon-to-be movie star Paul the Octopus to know what’s probably going to happen tomorrow even without a supreme effort from a less than full Barca side.

Chinese Buying Liverpool?

The other big story in Chinese soccer is the supposed sale of Liverpool to a Chinese group that is rumored to have backing from the CIC. This story has begun to border on the absurd because of the political implications and has a lot of people commenting who might not normally, including the large media outlets. This plays right into Kenny Huang’s hands as he’s always been about the pizzazz (don’t ask me what pizzazz is…) and less about the substance.

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