Aaaaand we're back. Here at Football Circus we're serious advocates of a winter break for football. Well for football blogs at least. So after a few weeks away, we've finally returned with our very first installment of 2015. And we have a rather Chinese influence this week, with some Aston Villa super fans in Hong Kong and an unlikely hero for the Chinese national team at the Asian World Cup. We also bring you news of Ronaldos, both Brazilian and Portuguese; Balo's back with his first segment of 2015; and in Italy a certain photo-taking Roma legend is causing a stir. So tuck in to the inaugural Football Circus of the year...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"There's nothing quite like it, playing in the dark with the lights on".
- Michael Owen on his love for floodlights...we think.
Hong Kong Couple's Aston Villa-Themed Wedding
How many Chinese Aston Villa themed weddings have you seen far in 2015? We'd hazzard a guess that until now it's been approximately zero. Well that's about to change because this week, we've discovered the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. So, who appeared on Aston Villa's official website, avfc.com.
The Hong Kong based couple are Villa-crazy and felt it appropriate to include the club in their special day. So the pair held a Villa themed wedding, where guests signed Villa jerseys, scarves and jerseys were donned for photo opportunities and there was a general abundance of claret and blue.
What the couple didn't expect was a surprise video from the Villa squad. Stars such as Ron Vlaar, Brad Guzan and Shay Given appeared on screen at the reception and took the opportunity to thank the So's for their continued support and to wish them every happiness for their married life. Looks like the Villains may have just become heroes.
Aussie Ballboy is China's Hero at Asian Cup
Whilst the African Cup of Nations has been featured heavily in the press in recent weeks perhaps due to the mass exodus of African players from the Premier League, the Asian Cup is also currently taking place in Australia. Featuring the likes of Tim Cahill, Shinji Kagawa and Ali Al Habsi, the tournament is making waves down under. One particular Australian in fact, has been very pleased with how the competition has progressed so far...
12 year old Stephen White acted as a ballboy during China's opening encounter against Saudi Arabia. Things weren't looking too good for the Chinese when they conceded a penalty. Their goalkeeper Wang Dalei, who clearly lacked any confidence in his own decision making, turned to the young ballboy before the kick was taken to ask which way he should dive. The boy advised Dalei that going to his left was his best option. Dalei took the youngster's advice and dived left, remarkably saving the penalty. China went on to win the game 1-0, with Dalei being named man of the match.
White was subsequently invited to attend the team's next training session as a reward for his words of wisdom. The team are hailing White as a hero.
Ronaldo Impresses at Poker Tournament
The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure tournament this week featured an appearance from Brazil legend Ronaldo. And the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star was not there just to pose for photographs (although he did a bit of that as well).
Ronaldo's appearance at the tournament was brought to global attention when former World Poker Tournament Player of the Year Faraz Jaka tweeted a photo of the World Cup winner, but was miffed as to exactly who he was.
"Apparently very famous football (soccer) player is @my table.No idea who but every1 takin pics & he just min 3bet me", declared Jaka in barely legible-limited to 140 characters Twitter speak.
Football fans were quick to inform Jaka as to Ronaldo's celebrity. Jaka seemed more impressed however at Ronaldo's way with the ladies as the Brazilian posed for photos with a number of women.
Not that Ronaldo's poker skills were anything to be sniffed at. The former striker finished an impressed 26th out of 816 players, coming out with a cool $42,180. Ronaldo also beat Sergio Garcia's record of 52th set in 2012, which had previously been the record for a sports star at the tournment.
Garcia went on to tweet his appreciation of the ex AC & Inter Milan star's performance.
Ronal-dog
Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d'Or award this week and while on stage to give his acceptance speech, let out a rather odd howl. Quite why the Real Madrid man did so, only he will know. The howl quickly became one of the talking points of the ceremony and within a day, even the dogs on the street knew about it...
A certain Spanish cocker spaniel managed to be trained to respond to 'Cristiano' with a howl of his own and become a YouTube star...
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
We last updated you on Balo all the way back on December 23rd. Since then he has amassed a total of three appearances, zero goals and zero assists. That hasn't stopped him however from being, well, a bit of a creep on Instagram, as highlight by this young Icelandic gentleman on Twitter:
With all the negative press he has been receiving, Super Mario could perhaps do with some career advice. That has come from former manager Roberto Mancini this week in the form of an interview with Corriere della Sera. Mancini managed Balo both at Inter Milan and Man City.
The Inter boss had the following to say:
"He could go the same way as Adriano. For different reasons, but the same result. My only hope is that he will wake up one morning and realise he is throwing everything away.
"At Inter with me, he was a kid. He would do anything, even clean the locker rooms. At City, for 2 1/2 years, he behaved well.
"Mario went out with my children; they were more or less peers and that helped me to relate to him.
"But with Mario, it is not easy. What goes in one ear, comes out the other.
"I think he is doing his best at Liverpool. It just depends on him. He is still young; he has the strength to develop.
"But he must sort out his head. Since leaving City, he has declined in every aspect of his game. I thought he would do well at Milan, but it didn't happen.
"I have no idea what the solution is, but anyone coaching him should be paid double...a Balotelli indemnity".
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Top Totti; Roma Marksman takes Selfie after Goal in Derby
Francesco Totti stole the show at last weekend's Rome derby between his Roma side and fierce city rivals Lazio. The aging talisman and Roma captain scored twice to earn his team a draw, after they had fallen 2-0 behind at the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio had gone ahead through two first half goals, with Stefan Mauri and Felipe Anderson getting on the scoresheet for the Biancoceleste. Totti and co. weren't prepared to take it lying down though and in the second half fought their way back to earn a point. While Totti's brace was impressive, what caught the media's attention was his celebration following the second of his two goals. The captain then ran to a member of the Roma coaching staff who handed him an iPhone, with which he took a selfie. Said selfie swiftly went viral across the internet.
The photo sparked an argument between Lazio president, Claudio Lotito and Roma president, James Pallotta. Lotito was unimpressed with Totti's photo-taking antics and took the moral highground during an interview with Rai Radio2:
"It would have made sense after the game, not during it. My captain would never have done the same".
Pallotta fired back:
"It's a pity Lotito commented on Francesco's selfie in this way. I would have almost preferred a selfie with his face".
Zing. It's on like Donkey Kong.
Later in the week, an idiot fan tattoo'ed himself with the 'iconic' image. Jesus wept.
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Football Circus Returns'; Football Circus makes its long awaited return from the winter break.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Football Tacos; What better football recommendation of the week could we have for our first edition of 2015 than a Twitter account featuring taco-themed football crests. An odder football recommendation of the week, you may not find this year.
Non-Football Recommendation of the Week
- Chasing Yesterday (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds); The latest album offering from the elder Gallagher brother, due for release in March. Two singles have already been released, most recently "Ballad of the Might I" featuring Johnny Marr of The Smiths (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzQYtpjMjSo).
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