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Wembley Woes

Those of you who revel in ominous omens would have appreciated the weather conditions at the start of London’s week. As the capital geared up to prepare for the long awaited return of the FA Cup final – the world’s oldest soccer competition and don’t you forget it – the city wasn’t so much bathed in sunshine but heavy cloud cover. And coupled with the near constant drizzle of rain, this seemed to offer a timely reminder that the rebuilt Wembley Stadium hadn’t gone exactly according to plan.

Truth be told, nobody seems able to remember what the original plan actually was. As costs spiraled ever higher and potential dates for reopening the ground were inevitably pushed back after its demolition in 2002, the nation’s passionate and ever loyal football fans would gather in pubs on matchdays - and on most weeknights thereafter to boot – and simply have to laugh at the shambolic scenario. Nevertheless, plenty of progress has been made in the national game since the last Wembley Cup final took place in 2000. For starters, the victors on that particular Saturday in May (a gloriously sunny afternoon, for the record), Chelsea, has subsequently become the major financial force in the game thanks to an influx of Russian money courtesy of Roman Abramovich.

The foreign imports they and the other 19 teams in the Premier League have brought in have improved the skill level of the sport and technique of the young British trainees on their books. Elsewhere, racism is far less of a problem than it used to be and hooliganism only rears its ugly head occasionally. What’s more, other stadiums have been given the go ahead and built with almost indecent haste; a final reminder - if the Football Association really needed one - that this has not been their finest moment. During the interim, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (built at a cost of less than £200million by the way) has done an admirable job looking after the fixture though only the first and last Cup final held there were matches anywhere near to approaching the classic status the event demands.

And so, despite being scheduled for an August 2005 reopening (if you try hard enough, it seems you can find the original plan) the £757million stadium will welcome the world this Saturday. True, there have been a couple of “ramp-up” events in recent months but never before will the 2,618 toilets – more than any other venue in the world you’ll be, ahem, relieved to learn – all have had a chance to flush. Nor will the claim that every seat at the new Wembley offers more legroom than the Royal Box at the old ground have been put to the test. The Queen, who won’t be in attendance, would surely approve. Instead, she’ll have to leave such matters to her grandson (and FA Chairman) Prince William who will present the cup to the winners.

Soccer’s governing body in England – the Football Association – will surely spin this weekend’s showcase game into an unqualified success. They can get away with such behavior too because all of us fans tend to think back to our childhoods when it comes to the Cup final. For those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 80s, we still can’t get past legendary commentator David Coleman’s shriek of “one nil!” when the first goal would hit the back of the net, Tottenham’s Argentine import Ricky Villa dribbling past seemingly the entire Manchester City team en route to his wonder strike or our endlessly practicing the stepover move which led to Manchester United’s Norman Whiteside dramatically scoring at the end of extra time and thus avoiding the heartache of the dreaded penalty shootout. Those with older memories still wax lyrical about the Stanley Matthews final of 1953, Bert Trautmann playing on – playing on! – with a broken neck five years later or Jim Montgomery’s double save in 1973 that frankly beggared belief.

Yet even memories can’t quite paper over all the cracks. In the past few weeks, thousands of seats have faded from red to pink: it’s all to do with “photochromic degradation" apparently (but you can explain that to the supporters if you don’t mind). Even last Saturday, some supporters attending an amateur match had to be moved from their seats due to rain seeping through the roof. The FA, though, continues to assure us that all will be fine on the day and has ended up with the dream final they scarcely deserved - Chelsea vs Manchester United. Both battled valiantly for the league championship all season long (a battle United ended up winning) and as they were eliminated from the semi finals of the Champions League earlier in the month, this will be the last ball either side will kick in competitive anger until August. Close your eyes and you can almost make out United’s Christiano Ronaldo making fools of the opposing defense with his lightening quick feet. Look further and there’s Chelsea’s imposing Ivorian striker Didier Drogba bearing down on goal. But that is for Saturday. Until then, the next chapter in this compelling competition, we shall all be wondering who will be writing their name into soccer history. Come rain or shine, as the chant from the terraces so nearly has it, there’s only one FA Cup final.

Tel Us More

Just for you, the piece as it was originally intended...

What is the more unlikely scenario: Ireland beating Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup or the game itself being carried live on Israeli television? As unbelievable as both those events sound, we saw them take place with our own eyes last weekend in Tel Aviv. My reporter, Damian Johnson, and I have just spent three days in Israel filming a piece for Football Focus looking at preparations for arguably their most important home game in 50 years. And the sight of Israelis enthusiastically embracing St. Patrick’s Day with the help of their good friend Guinness was merely the first of many eye opening experiences.

Our three days started with “St. Patrik” (that’s how one newspaper put it, though you didn’t feel like correcting the typo but more applauding the effort) and ended by interviewing a Premiership star late at night in a car park. In between, we were warmly welcomed by everyone, be it locals, actors or politicians, treated to some stunning scenery and felt completely safe and at ease. Shortly after arriving, we filmed at a local game taking place in the Israeli Third Division between Nes Tziona and Bnei Tamra. You wouldn’t have believed it was a match of relatively little importance as both sets of fans sang their hearts out. The game pitted Israeli Jews against Israeli Arabs and if you’re looking for sport as a wider metaphor for life then this was ideal: the tackles flew in and both benches offered colourful opinions to the referee but there was no hint of unrest between the sides and handshakes and hugs were witnessed as the whistle blew for full time and signalled a 1-0 win to the home team (scarcely deserved, for the record).

From there it was straight to downtown Tel Aviv and a chance meeting with Zev Eizik, Israel’s leading concert promoter. He graciously allowed us to film inside his club where a monthly residency of some popular local musicians was taking place. Zev is originally from Melbourne but, “fell in love 19 years ago and never went back”. His 2,000 strong audience were a mixture of cultures but contained a crucial constant: the most beautiful women on the planet. They sauntered in, seemingly poured into their jeans and if God had a large say in the creation of the peoples of Israel then these were heavenly creatures indeed. The city itself is a blend between Los Angeles and Athens what with the heavy traffic, frequent honking of horns and tall buildings imperiously peering over its citizens. During the day, you’d be foolish not to take advantage of the beaches, only breaking for the ever popular ‘Business Lunch’ which is a sumptuous two course meal for just over 10 pounds. By night, the bars and clubs stay open until the last customer is ready to leave.

And that last customer probably left at around the same time on Sunday as we set off for Jerusalem to get some shots for the top of our piece (that’s what we usually mean by suffering for our art – an early wake up call). Despite the capital’s history and beauty, it was never going to play host to England as its location to the evident problems would have made it a logistical nightmare for the footballing and local authorities. We spent the majority of the afternoon and evening interviewing politicians and pundits back in Tel Aviv. They were all keen to stress that there would be no security issues and everyone could feel comfortable visiting the country. “We’re asking the English to leave their helmets at home” remarked Silvan Shalom, former Foreign Minister. On the flipside, the Israelis aren’t fearful that hooligans are going to trash Tel Aviv but have faith in the security that is in place day in day (upon entering a bar or hotel you’re asked if you’re carrying a weapon…it’s generally best to leave innuendo at home over here) and the English themselves. The irony at the time was that there was no hint that a general strike would begin, potentially leaving thousands of England fans unable to even visit the country for what is generally perceived to be Israel’s biggest home game since playing the old Soviet Union in 1956. As the strike has now been averted, this won’t be a problem for the likes of Ricky, the manager of Mike’s Place who has ordered considerably more beer than usual for this fixture, as you’ll see if you catch the piece on Focus.

Before leaving, we covered Israel’s training session and press conference at the national stadium, Ramat Gan, which is in a suburb of Tel Aviv. The general mood of the Israeli press was that England would have no difficulty in winning, which seems far removed from the opinions found in our back pages. Getting access to the players was as difficult as it ever was but in a plot twist more in keeping with a movie than, well, a training session the press officer made a phone call, asked me to turn around and speak to a gentleman sitting high up in the stands. This man was Tal Ben Haim’s father and he instructed us to follow him out to where he had parked. Sure enough, Ben Haim turned up and with the rest of the press grilling Israel’s coach Dror Kashtan about his squad selection, we had Bolton’s defender all to ourselves.

Back at the airport and one final surprise awaited us. It was the middle of the night and all was calm when suddenly hundreds of students started to sing. “Safe flight”, said one of the girls passing me by. Behind her, the others carried on, their voices lifting out into the air that the planes would soon travel through. Whilst Israel might be a long way from achieving it, the songs sounded like peace.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A21003698?s_fromedit=1

Hot In Herre

Nellie McKay
Pretty Little Head
By Glen Levy
February 07, 2007

"It's been a long time coming” coos Nellie McKay on double album Pretty Little Head and you have to admire her honesty. Let’s face facts: after three release dates for this follow up to 2004’s Get Away From Me had come and gone, you’d have been forgiven for giving up on her. But McKay hadn’t given up on you and, split with her record company notwithstanding, Pretty Little Head has reared its head and the results are predictably poignant.

Each disc shimmers with a soulful, sensual quality and features duets with k.d. lang and Cyndi Lauper. Clearly, these girls just want to have fun. McKay’s opening salvo is to effortlessly rock and roll between hard edged pop (‘Cupcake’, ‘There You Are In Me’) and a looser, more fluid style such as ‘Yodel’ which, you imagine, was heard by new kid on the block Lily Allen who would have made copious notes before burying the record deep in her consciousness as well as her bedroom. The second disc keeps the pace going but delves even further into her mindset with those – by now, infamous - thoughts on cruelty to animals (‘Columbia Is Bleeding’) and family (‘Mama & Me’). It’s fair to conclude that she probably doesn’t need the support of a major label - these songs were made for iTunes as no mainstream radio station would dare play these languid, lush vignettes more in keeping with Broadway than the Top 40. And what with McKay’s recent foray into theatre (alongside Lauper, no less), let’s hope that the next act arrives considerably quicker than this one.

(2)007, We've Been Expecting You

Before I forget completely - hey, I do turn 3-0 this year - some thoughts jotted down about my favourite movies, albums and TV shows of the year. Fairly unorthodox Top 7 stylee can be attributed to the return of James Bond and - the shame of it - it's a third less work for me.

FILM: Yet again, a foreign flick tops my list. And whilst Hollywood continues to have hits and misses, why is so little coming out of Britain? What's even worse is when 'Scenes Of A Sexual Nature' gets released with a stellar cast and that cast is A List precisely because the - ahem - nature of...'Sexual Nature' is that it takes place in one north London location and thus, the waiting limo hangs about while a few lines are rattled off and, voila, one is back in Hampstead or Primrose Hill for afternoon lattes before one knows it. Clearly, that didn't make the list but these did...

Equal 7th: Grizzly Man/Stranger Than Fiction
That's started well then. You couldn't call these equal films but I wanted them both in. The former for its fascinating central character of Treadwell (as well as the bears) and the way in which Werner Herzog's calm narration juxtaposes his subject's clear insanity. And speaking of insanity, Will Ferrell's neatly played role of a guy who believes he's going mad but is actually the main part in a novel was different enough to warrant inclusion. Marc Forster directed it with flair and imagination and it irked me that critics were snobby by stating it ripped off Adaptation. Perhaps so but here's the kicker: it was better than its (possible) source material.

6. Children Of Men
The Bond that could have been, Clive Owen, excelled in this post apocalyptic drama adapted from a book which apparently reads completely differently. It's brilliantly directed, the 12 minute shoot out is genuinely thrilling, Michael Caine, acts, like normally and the fact that Owen is always clothed in a grubby London 2012 Olympics sweater was as funny a metaphor as you could possibly expect about a games that people (in real life) are bemoaning six years before they even take place.

5. Casino Royale
And the Bond that is, Daniel Craig. Bond reborn. Bond rebooted. Call it what you like but Casino Royale breathed new life into the fading franchise and finally consigned Brosnan's Bond to the past. Instead, Craig's ruthless portrayal of 007 was far more in keeping with Ian Fleming's original vision. "Do I look like a give a damn?" might have been his response to that drink question but also served as his manifesto for how to play the part: it seemed like the film was one final throw of the dice (or playing of the cards for those who preferred following the plot) and it paid off in - ahem - spades. Bond doesn't rely on gadgets or innuendo laden one liners but why should he when we're treated to brilliantly conceived action
sequences, a storyline worth telling and Bond learning what being Bond is all about. It's all encapsulated in the moment when he puts on a tuxedo and, while quietly checking himself out in the mirror, knows that this is his raison d'etre. Bond in 2006 then: perhaps shaken but better for not always being heard.

4. Dave Chappelle's Block Party
Probably easiest to read this if you need reminding...
www.glidemagazine.com/3/reviews1200.html

3. 36
Token French film! Not really (though it is French). "They" called it the French version of Heat but, sadly, no one saw it. You know the drill: the good guys aren't what they seem whereas the bad ones are. Read the rest of this and then rent it on DVD, s'il vous plait.

2. The Departed
It's not quite up there with the original, Infernal Affairs, but it came pretty damn close. Leo, Matt, Alec, Martin and Jack battled it out on screen but we'll see if the real battle can finally be won in a couple of months if Martin Scorcese finally bags a Best Director Oscar. What a shame that Clint Eastwood has not just one but two movies competing for the Academy's attention. Will it be The Aviator vs Million Dollar Baby yet again or could Clint's double whammy actually nullify each other? Watch this space.

1. Pan's Labyrinth
Was anyone prepared for Pan's Labyrinth? Such a stunning achievement that either of its two plots - bleak drama played out against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and the fairytale that took place at night - would have effortlessly been film of the year in its own right. Put it like this: no one ever need sit through those interminably dull Lord Of The Rings movies when this is on offer.

MUSIC: Nothing really rocked my world but I haven't got round to hearing much of the internet's end of year faves TV On The Radio, The Hold Steady or Joanna Newsom so I'm more than prepared to be corrected. In brief, then, in a single sentence, this is what was rotated on the trusty old ipod...

Equal 7th: Jenny Lewis And The Watson Twins/Cat Power
Sultry American country alt-rock fronted by two women you would happily spend the night buying - or at least blagging - drinks for so long as you got serenaded at the end of the evening.

6. Charlotte Gainsbourg
Captivating tunes from this chanteuse (who had a little bit of help from her mate Neil Hannon, formerly of The Divine Comedy).

5. Lupe Fiasco
This year's Kanye West (who is involved with the record) made you smile and think, often at the same time though let's hope future material doesn't contain a 12 (yep, 12) minute thank you as a final track.

4. Kate Havnevik
If Sigur Ros tracks contained legible lyrics then it would sound like this; bonus points to one of my colleagues for using it as a music bed when we give table copy at the end of Match of the Day.

3. Amy Winehouse
More women in this list as the quite frankly terrifying Amy Winehouse is deserving of a top 3 placing due to the energy and vicious vocals contained within: and in 'Rehab', we had a tie for single of the year alongside Camera Obscura's 'Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken' (which probably edges it out as it has a better title).

Equal 2nd: Muse/Beck
I couldn't split the fearsome British power trio whose latest album was possibly the BIGGEST sounding rock operatic record of the decade with the consistently inventive Beck, who continues to evolve and make the coolest music on the planet.

1. Captain
It's entirely plausible that you haven't even heard of Captain's 'This Is Hazelville' but, quite simply, I didn't listen to anything as much as I did of this band's 1980s inspired, feel good and downright enjoyable pop fest.

TV: Yep, once again, America ruled the roost when it came to the box (what did you expect me to say?). Here's the one sentence rundown...

7. MOTD2
Alright, I have no honour as - gulp - I actually work on this programme (but not at the moment so I can get away with putting it in, right?!?) but we should celebrate a football highlights show that doesn't show more than 10 minutes of any given game and, in presenter Adrian Chiles, we should cherish someone who is utterly at ease with not having any of the supposed qualifications needed to front a football programme (i.e having previously played the sport. Though, yes Gary, you're very good as well).

6. The Daily Show/The Colbert Report
On Comedy Central, they're shown back to back and if More 4 had any balls, they would do too here as they go hand in hand; instead I guess you should check out YouTube for evidence of Colbert's genius (you presumably know all about Jon Stewart) and you could do far worse than put 'Colbert speech to George W. Bush' as a starting point.

5. Prime Suspect
Even ITV can do it when they put their mind to it as the epic series finally came to its conclusion as Helen Mirren's DC Jane Tennyson was "put out to grass" (her words, not mine) once and for all.

4. The West Wing
Yes, it lost its greatness as soon as Aaron Sorkin left (though that's like criticizing The Beatles for releasing material after Lennon's death) but sentimentality reigned supreme right to the end with a return to form with its writing and real life tragedy when John Spencer passed away: RIP to both.

3. The Sopranos
Part one of the last ever season started in predictably thrilling fashion (though we really didn't care for the Tony coma and alternate reality storyline - yeah, we get it) and by addressing Vito's sexuality, HBO continued to push boundaries and go where other mob dramas literally wouldn't dare.

2. Bleak House
I know, I know, it was released in 2005 but, crucially, we didn't catch up with it until this Summer and were blown away by such a contemporary retelling of the Dickens classic; and in Charles Dance, we were treated to a classically evil villain (how scary? This scary: when we sat near him at the theatre recently, we were frightened!).

1. The Wire
It's the undoubted talk of blogs everywhere and David Simon's tale of the Baltimore drugs scene (shown on HBO, natch) worked because the show gives equal airtime to all the brilliantly written characters; every episode of season one was an undoubted classic (favourite scene being the 5 minute two hander between the detectives working out how a murder took place, just uttering the lone word 'fuck' as they pieced it together) and as soon as this sentence is complete, I'm going to order season two.