#artificial football pitch

[charmsandtealeaves]

Hockey and Headaches

Sequel of sorts to this @jilymicrofics  (which will be becoming a micro-oops at some point in the future once I've finished my other current WIPs). Written for @jilychallenge 2024, Muggle May. Prompt: University Football/rugby/field hockey training is open to the public, on a very hot day star player A takes a shower from a water hose and B walks against a lamppost because B might have been staring. Partner @eastwindmlk

Read on AO3.

“I still don’t see why I have to attend a bloody hockey match when I could be having a lie-in,” Peter grumbled, shuffling along a good three paces behind the rest of the group. The bags under his eyes were a deep purple, his hair uncombed, and he still had a ketchup stain down the front of his shirt from the night before, completing his look of hungover dishevelment. 

“Pete, it’s one in the afternoon. You did have a lie in for fucks sake.” Remus rolled his eyes and gave him a disdainful look. 

“It doesn’t count if you didn’t go to bed til 4 am!” Peter bit back.

James was beginning to wish they’d left Peter asleep and drawn a dick on his head, given he had done nothing but whinge since they’d left his place. Pausing only briefly to throw up into some unfortunate person’s hydrangea bush after Sirius had wafted a Gregg’s sausage roll under his nose. 

“Oi! Can you stop bickering and focus on the task at hand, please? We’re here so Remus can introduce me to his hot friend. We’ve just got to spot her first.” James grinned, scanning the crowd of fellow Hogwarts Hockey supporters for a flash of red hair. 

“One, her name is Lily which you know, two she’s not my friend per se. We have a working relationship that I’d rather like to maintain because she’s good so please don’t be an arse. And three, she’s probably already on the pitch by now.”

James stopped abruptly and Peter slammed into the back of him. “The pitch? Wait, you mean she’s on the team?” 

Remus sighed. “Yes, James. That’s why I suggested we ‘bump into’ her here.” He stood on his tiptoes and craned his neck to see over the rows of supporters. “The girls are warming up, so we want to find a good vantage point before the game starts.”

“Right-o, let’s get near the front!” James bounded off, forcing his way through the crowd and not caring who he jostled, Sirius hot on his heels. 

Reaching the pitch guard rail he had a much better view of the players on the field. He spotted Lily almost immediately towards the eastern end of the pitch, her red hair tied back in a ponytail and face scrunched in concentration. She was running warm-up drills with another member of her team, passing the ball back and forth between each other while a third player, a blonde, tried to intercept them.  

There was a spray of sand from the artificial turf as the blonde’s stick skidded across it before connecting with the ball. Lily cursed loudly and rubbed her face against the shoulder of her shirt, undoubtedly trying to free flecks of sand that had lodged themselves in her eye. 

James kept walking east along the guard rail, his eyes fixed on her as she made her way over to the sidelines blinking rapidly and swearing under her breath to where a coach was waiting with a length of garden hose. His gaze was still fixed on her and the hose water that was carefully being trickled down her face and the front of her shirt, when he collided, head first with full force into a floodlight lamppost.

[diemannschaftblr]

@/iMiaSanMia: Joshua Kimmich on becoming Germany's new captain: "Of course I'm proud. It's nice, especially when I see where I come from. As a kid, you naturally dream of playing for the national team. But captain is still unrealistic. Nobody dreams of becoming a captain. That's something very special. I'm also happy that the people around me are happy and that I've been given their trust. I want to repay that. It's not like it's a one-man show as captain."

on his vice captains Rüdiger and Havertz: I've known Antonio since his time at VfB Stuttgart. He was a first team player and I was still a youth player. We looked up to him. Everyone who made it to the first team from the youth was a great role model for us. Unfortunately we never played together at club level. Our relationship is very good. We get on really well. I've known Kai for a long time too. I'm very happy that he got this role. He flies under the radar. Sometimes it's not just about scoring goals. Kai runs a lot and gives everything for the team. We need people like him.

on Stiller and Pavlović: Both have developed a lot. I know Angelo from the second team at Bayern. Unfortunately, he left the club back then. You could already tell back then that he's someone who is brave and wants the ball. He's technically good and has no fear, similar to Pavlo. In his first season, Aleks started against Real at the Bernabeu and wasn't afraid. Both have a similar profile, both are technically strong and play good passes. Both have fun on the pitch.

on Germany's new #1 ter Stegen: He's done brilliantly over the years. He always gave me the impression that he wants to be number one. That's part of football. But if it doesn't work out, you have a responsibility towards the team. And he has always done that outstandingly. He's captain at FC Barcelona. That's not very common for a German player. I'm happy for him that the door is now opening for him. He deserves it.

on his role model as Germany captain: You are inspired by the captains that you played with yourself. Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Ilkay Gündogan. I think everyone interprets the role in their own way. But the structure of the team was also different for everyone. You have to approach it individually. Certain tasks definitely have to be completed, which I may not know about yet.

on continuing to play right-back in the national team: I see it as a strength that I can play both positions. It has helped me a lot in my career to get to where I am. That's why I will never close myself off to one position. I hope that we can close this topic soon.

Club World Cup or Nations League next summer?: I would like to play both. In general, I'm a fan of playing many games. When it comes to the Nations League, people always say it's an 'artificial' competition. Personally, I would rather play the Nations League and compete for a trophy than play in any kind of friendly games.

[nectarinesalt]

TICK // 1.1 - gimme danger

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Rating: mature (language, sexual content)

Word Count: 640

☾

There's nothing in my dreams Just some ugly memories Kiss me like the ocean breeze

Now, if you will be my lover I will shiver and sing But if you can't be my master I will do anything

☾

September 1983 - junior year

"Who does your tattoos, Edward Munson?"

The blunt voice behind him took him off guard, appearing out of nowhere. It didn't even sound like a question. More like a matter-of-fact demand. 

Your voice was thick and dripping like honey. Deeper than the voices of other girls in your school. Eddie was so used to the high-pitched, bubblegum-popping, giggling tones of the artificial female species that wandered the halls of Hawkins High.

The cafeteria around him was bustling with all the usual assholes, but suddenly all he could focus on was the figure of you standing behind him.

Finally turning around to lay eyes on the culprit, Eddie was shocked to see you.

He knew you, of course. Or at least knew of you. 

In the back of his mind, he tried to remember if he had ever even spoken to you before. But he would have remembered your unique voice. Eddie's whole life revolved around sounds, melodies, vibrations. 

You were a year younger than him, being a junior while he was a senior. He recalled seeing you in the crowded hallways. Plain hair. A face that said leave me the fuck alone. Weren’t you a part of the French Club or some shit?

His mind was racing, but still responded to you without any sign of hesitation. There were too many witnesses around for him to let his guard down. Bako and Donny, seated at the table with him, openly stared in awe.

Eddie found his vocal cords. "I do some of them. My uncle has a friend that does some of them."

Your disarming gaze bore into him, squinting for a moment. Eddie took a second to glance down at your clothes. Blue jeans. Gray fitted t-shirt. You were plain. No other word for it.

"How much for one?"

"What?"

"A tattoo. How much do you charge for a tattoo."

Again, you didn’t really ask it as a question. It was less of an innocent query and more of a personal space invasion, a solicitation. Your face gave away not a single emotion or even a hint of a personality.

Eddie scratched his head, acting like he was thinking deeply. He glanced at Donny, who looked at him like well, say something, idiot!

"Well, sunshine, that depends." 

That's all he could think of. Why were you suddenly speaking to him? You had successfully ignored each other for the last however many years.

Your shoulders dropped in annoyance, but you still held onto the lunch tray in your hands. 

"Okay, depends on what?"

A wicked grin painted his lips. At the motion of your shoulders falling, he could easily tell that you definitely weren’t wearing a bra. Your tits were smaller than average, basically nonexistent, but Eddie had x-ray vision at the short distance between you and him.

"Hmm… size, the design… location." Leaning over in the plastic chair, he purposely fixed his eyes on your ample behind.

You scoffed at him, "Cool, you're a real Don Juan. Let's get to the point, yeah? I want a quarter sized half moon on my hip. Just the outline, nothing fancy. Need more info?"

Taking his time to answer, mainly because he suddenly found himself entertained by your impatience, he shrugged. 

"Nah. I'll do it for fifteen bucks."

"Deal. How soon can you do it?"

You were all business and no play. Eddie was enticed by your no-bullshit confidence.

A shocking flash of pink passed behind you: a popular girl chatting excitedly with a football player. Neon pink windbreaker, bleach blonde hair in perfect curls. Eddie observed her.

And then he looked back at you. So ordinary yet so different.

"How does this weekend sound?"

You held your hand out in front of him to shake. Your skin was smooth and warm on his callouses.

"Don't fuck this up, Munson. I'll see you Friday."

☾

There's nothing left alive But a pair of glassy eyes Raise my feelings one more time

☾

(song lyrics credit: "Gimme Danger" by The Stooges)

TAGLIST for this series if you would like to be notified when I post new chapters!

[thommi-tomate]

Heiko Vogel (former Bayern academy trainer) on Thomas :

He is absolutely one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever trained

The first time I met him, he was 12, It was before he came to Bayern Munich and he was playing in a youth tournament for his hometown. He was pretty good, so we asked him: ‘Could you imagine coming to us?’ and he said, ‘Yes, of course’.

When he got to the under-15s, I was his coach. It was a very good time, I think, because we were very successful. Our philosophy at Bayern Munich was to play our younger players against older teams. We played with our under-15s in an under-17s league. It was very hard, but I think that was an important concept for us.

We had a lot of brilliant players. Not really fast ones, not players who were amazing athletes, but those who had a good mindset and a very special type of game intelligence

The age difference — and the artificial disadvantages it exposed the young players to — put a premium on that game intelligence; on thinking more quickly, finding better solutions, dealing with physical deficits and, occasionally, older players not averse to roughing up a young Bayern prospect.

To some, Muller is a ferocious player — defined by his will to compete and win. Watching him now, applying himself in the same way that he did before he won everything football had to offer, there is no question that he has, to some extent, remained at the top of the sport by sheer force of will. By luck, too, because he has evaded serious injury and rarely been unavailable.

But he is also a timeless footballer whose qualities are out of step with modern trends. He is not particularly fast or technical and his strength is hardly overwhelming, yet he has so often profited from being first to a loose ball or quickest to anticipate how a passage of play might develop. He does not clip passes around the pitch or play with an obvious subtlety, but managed — at the peak of his career — to be one of the foremost creators in European football.

We would always be limiting touches in training. We would play with one touch, two touches — or with three touches and then with one. It was never the same. Everything would be changing. We would move the goals, too, or play with only one goal, or even three

We would mix up the duels: two vs two, three vs one, two vs three. These are all components that are very important in developing game intelligence — in getting players to be clever. If you don’t have the body to handle the situation, you have to be fit in your mind

One of his greatest strengths is his family. I love his father. For a developing player, it’s very important to have a father like that. He was always supporting him but always in the background. It meant that Thomas had to learn to handle all the situations he encountered for himself. Whether he was playing or not playing — things like that. He knew that his family was always there, but he was alone in those moments.

Then, after each season, his father would have a conversation with one of the coaches or with me. After the season, he’d ask me, ‘What do you think about his development this season? Is it OK? Is it not OK? Can he improve something?’

In that lies the most likely explanation for why Muller has been so important to such a long line of coaches, from Louis van Gaal to Jupp Heynckes, Pep Guardiola to Hansi Flick. On and on, regardless of formation or philosophy, like a footballer impervious to change, happy to live on his wits.

And that adaptability seems to afford him special status. Nobody has anything bad to say about Muller. Rival supporters might envy his medal collection and Bayern Munich’s success inspires plenty of resentment, but little of it is drawn towards him despite being such an obvious symbol of their dominance.

How can that be?

Thomas Müller is Thomas Müller. Sometimes, you see players play a role — you see them perform for the cameras — but Thomas doesn’t do that. He never has. He doesn’t have those insecurities and he is not an actor.

He is what you see, all the time

[waluigitravels]

Waluigi in Germany!

Day Three

Today was his last day in Germany, but he got up to one last big trip! He had to take the tram and then the train to his next destination.

Waluigi approves of wind power! But what's that in the distance?

He's made it to the Allianz Arena! The official grounds for the Bayern Munich football team, and where Germany played their opening game against Scotland in the 2024 Euros!

The stadium is huge compared to Waluigi! But luckily, he got a tour guide to help him find his way around inside.

This is the pitch, which uses real grass and artificial sun to maintain even growth!

That chair was pretty big for him, so he decided to take a sit in the dugout. He didn't sit on the actual pitch grass though, because he's respectful of the rules.

He loved the tour, and that was his last big event for the trip! After retrieving his bags from the hotel, he made his way to the airport and got on the plane home.

It was a fantastic trip! And I hope you all enjoyed watching his experiences too :})

[arenaofimagination]

Son Heung-min: Famous Love

Heung-min POV

In the dazzling realm of football, where the spotlight never flickers, I find myself entangled in the challenges of love. My name is Son Heung-min, and every kick I make on the field is scrutinized, every goal celebrated, and every misstep magnified. The beautiful game is my passion, my life, but it comes with a price - the scrutiny that extends beyond the pitch, piercing into the delicate fabric of my personal life.

S/n is the heartbeat of my existence, a melody that complements the thunderous cheers of the stadium. We embarked on this journey together, navigating the labyrinth of love amidst the chaos of fame. She is my sanctuary, the one who sees beyond the jersey and into the soil beneath. But as the world fixates on every move I make; our love faces challenges that only the brave dare to confront.

The stadium roars with anticipation as I step onto the pitch, the familiar hum of excitement echoing through my veins. The game unfolds like a well-choreographed dance, and I lose myself in the rhythm of the sport. Yet, even in the midst of this passionate pursuit, my thoughts often drift to S/n. She is the silent spectator, watching from the sidelines as I weave through defenders and aim for the goal.

Love is a fragile thing, susceptible to the harsh winds of public opinion. The media dissects our relationship, turning the pages of our story into headlines that scream for attention. "Heung-min's Love Struggles!" they proclaim, as if our private battles are mere entertainment for the masses. It becomes a constant juggling act - balancing the demands of my career with the need for a refuge in S/n's embrace.

The challenges of love intensify when every move is scrutinized, every smile analyzed. A simple dinner date turns into a spectacle, with cameras flashing and questions probing. We navigate this surreal landscape together, clinging to the authenticity of our connection amid the artificiality that fame imposes. It's a delicate dance, one that requires trust and resilience.

S/n, with her grace and poise, becomes the unsung hero of this narrative. She endures the whispers, the intrusive gazes, and the judgmental glares with a quiet strength that only deepens my love for her. It's a love that transcends the glossy magazine covers and the trending hashtags – a love that finds solace in the quiet moments, away from the prying eyes of the world.

As I score goals and bask in the adoration of fans, S/n stands by me, a pillar of unwavering support. But the distance between the spotlight and the shadows is vast, and sometimes, it feels like I'm reaching across an unbridgeable gap. The challenges of love become more pronounced as expectations and pressures mount. Can love truly thrive under the relentless gaze of a scrutinizing world?

One evening, as the city lights glittered below and the moon cast its gentle glow, S/n and I found ourselves on the rooftop of our secret sanctuary. Away from the cameras, the noise, and the judgment, we rediscovered the simplicity of just being together. The challenges of love melted away in the warmth of shared laughter and stolen kisses. In those stolen moments, we realized that our love was not defined by the world but by the genuine connection we shared.

However, the world is a persistent intruder, always knocking on the door of our private haven. Rumors and speculations swirl around us like a tempest, threatening to tear down the walls we've built around our love. In the face of such storms, we cling to each other, our love an anchor that grounds us amidst the chaos.

I find solace in the fact that S/n understands the demands of my profession. She comprehends the allure of the spotlight and the toll it takes on a person's soul. Yet, understanding does not shield us from the challenges of love when every moment is subjected to public scrutiny. The balance between fame and intimacy becomes a tightrope walk, and at times, it feels like one misstep could send everything crashing down.

The insecurities creep in, fueled by the whispers of critics and the relentless comparisons. Does my love for S/n pale in comparison to the love the world showers upon me? Am I enough for her in the face of constant adoration from fans? These doubts become the shadows that linger even in the brightest moments of our love story.

As the seasons change, so do the challenges. The highs and lows of my career mirror the ebbs and flows of our relationship. There are moments of triumph, where love feels invincible, and there are moments of despair, where the weight of expectations threatens to suffocate us. In those trying times, we learn to communicate, to listen, and to hold onto each other with a fierce determination.

Love, it turns out, is a marathon rather than a sprint. It's a journey of endurance, resilience, and unwavering commitment. The challenges of love in the spotlight are not a sign of weakness but a testament to the strength of the bond that S/n and I share. Our love is not defined by the applause of the crowd but by the quiet conversations in the stillness of the night.

Through the victories and defeats, the cheers, and jeers, we discover the true essence of love – a flame that flickers but never extinguishes. The challenges of love in the spotlight become the threads that weave a tapestry of resilience, commitment, and, above all, authenticity. In the end, as we stand together, hand in hand, we realize that our love story is not just ours but a testament to the enduring power of love in the face of the world's relentless gaze.

If you guys have any requests, don’t hesitate on making them!

[stxrshxpxd]

🌷 fic friday;

“pretty face, but not much more to him”

footballer hugh grant x reader

“Hugh! Hugh!” I yelled in a mock high pitch, jumping up and down on the spot as he came towards me on the side of the pitch. He was sweating profusely and laughing under his panting breath.

“Sign my tits!” I half yelled and went to pull my shirt up just as he reached me, grabbing a hold of my wrists and laughing harder.

“You’re such an idiot,” he giggled and rolled his eyes. I faked a fainting spell at his hands touching me and fell onto the sticky hot chest of my footballer boyfriend.

“Are you really going to throw all your weight on your poor limping boyfriend like that?” Hugh looked down at me and I shook the character of the obsessed fan, chuckling as I stood up but I kept my arm around his waist.

“Was it that bad?” I asked with genuine concern, glancing down at his bloodied knee. He had tripped over one of the opposing players diving in front of him and landed right knee first, apparently hurting it beyond a nasty scrape.

“It feels okay, but I’m beginning to think something twisted a bit.” He shrugged, walking with me as his sweat traveled onto my hand and arm. “I’ll have Gary look at it in a minute.”

Impulsively I threw a glance at their physiotherapist who sat with one of Hugh’s teammates’ busted ankle in his hands further down the side of the pitch.

“Go do your thing,” I rolled my eyes with a smile as we were approaching the little herd of teen girls on the very lowest end of the stands, and I gave him a push in their direction.

“I just did my thing!” Hugh laughed in protest and swiveled around to face me again, pointing his arm out towards the pitch. He turned around to greet the girls with the pens and giddy smiles. Really he loved to be the heartthrob of the team, I knew he did. I watched fondly from afar as he signed their arms and photos and notepads all the while giving them charming smiles and comments and the odd hug.

He came hopping back and I caught him in my arms again, giving his cheek a kiss as I gazed down at his knee that looked to be swelling slightly now. He turned his face and pressed his lips against mine, making my eyes shut and forcing the salt in his sweat onto my tongue.

“Grant, mate! Chop, chop! Crucial physio minutes. No time for snogging pretty ladies!” Gary called and clapped his hands, flashing a grin at me. I chuckled and gladly handed Hugh over.

“Y/N, you’ve chosen a real klutz,” Gary muttered as he assessed the knee in his hands, twisting and poking and pressing. “Pretty face, but not much more to him,” he teased and Hugh exhaled, falling down to his back. I held a giggle in my throat and poked my toes into his bicep, making him wrap his arm and hand around my calf. Hugh laid and watched Gary’s continued assessment and I stood and watched Hugh’s pretty brown locks spill out over the vibrant artificial grass under him, his eyes pale in the sunlight and his cheekbones glistening with sweat. Pretty face, indeed.

[chelseafcwmemes]

“When you travel around the world, you are often reminded of how lovely Denmark really is” Part 1

Pernille Harder grew up in central Jutland humility. The popular national team player loves the Danes' lack of self-importance. And then she pays tribute to Lise Nørgaard's fight to set women free and pave the way towards equality. But we are not at the goal yet, says Denmark's most expensive female soccer player.

Which place in Denmark do you like the most?

"It's my childhood town, Ikast. I moved away from Denmark early to become a professional soccer player in Sweden, and ever since I have played in foreign clubs, so I have never tried living in other Danish cities. My parents and my older sister still live in Ikast, and therefore I also associate the city with security. We are a fairly close family who have always spent a lot of time together. It has made me a good team player. My mother was my coach when I was smaller, and although I was better than many of my teammates, I didn't get more playing time than others. There had to be room for everyone, no matter how good or bad you were. If I scored and was the least bit cocky, I was always put in my place. Then I was told that it was also the team's merit that I scored. After all, they had done all the processing. I was also brought up to keep both feet on the ground, even if you succeed. That you don't put yourself on a throne and think that you are more important than others just because you are more skilled. You are not. When I come home to Ikast today, I am also just Pernille. Both out in the city and at home with my family. It is very Danish. And very healthy.”

What is the best thing about Denmark?

"When you travel around the world, you are often reminded of how lovely Denmark really is. I think we are good at not taking things so seriously at home. We are also not as formal and solemn as people are in many other places. We are very little self-congratulatory, and we have no problem making fun of ourselves and each other. That way we are very down to earth. I really like that. At the same time, we are good at giving space to being different, and we were the first country in the world to allow homosexuals to marry. Of course, there is still a difference between being gay in Copenhagen and in a small provincial town. When you live in a big city, you experience quite naturally that life can be lived in many different ways, and therefore one's view often expands. That was probably also the reason why I didn't feel completely comfortable coming out as a lesbian at home in Ikast when I was a teenager, but only did it when I moved to Sweden and had gotten a little older. Today, I only meet support when I walk on the street in Ikast, and I hope that my openness helps to make it easier for others to stand by their sexuality.''

What's the worst?

"The climate. When playing football, it is more fun to do it in good weather. I love sun and heat as much as I hate rain, wind and cold. I could really do without the Danish winter. Today I live in London, and here the weather is nothing to shout about either. Fortunately, I am young enough to have escaped playing on the wet clay courts that my parents played on when they were young. I grew up with artificial grass and synthetic pitches, and after all, it makes autumn and winter a little more bearable.''

What is the strongest memory from childhood?

"I spent most of my childhood playing football. Not just in the local club. I often continued to play with the other children in the neighborhood when I got home from training. We ran around the country roads and broke our knees or fought close battles around the gardens. One evening we had hoisted a lamp up a flagpole so that we could continue playing even though it had become dark. Time flew by and we forgot all about mealtimes and when to go to bed. I always wanted to be the best and early on dreamed of making the national team. But every time I watched the television at home in the living room, there were only boys and men kicking the ball.

[pernillemagda]

"When you travel around the world, you are often reminded of how lovely Denmark really is"

I haven't checked for translation errors

Some of the parts I find the best, have I marked with bold

Pernille Harder grew up in central Jutland with humility. The popular national team player loves the Danes' lack of self-importance. And then she pays tribute to Lise Nørgaard's fight to set women free and pave the way towards equality. But we are not at the goal yet, says Denmark's most expensive female soccer player.

Which place in Denmark do you like the most? "It's my childhood town, Ikast. I moved away from Denmark early to become a professional soccer player in Sweden, and ever since I have played in foreign clubs, so I have never tried living in other Danish cities. My parents and my older sister still live in Ikast, and therefore I also associate the city with security. We are a fairly close family who have always spent a lot of time together. It has made me a good team player. My mother was my coach when I was smaller, and although I was better than many of my teammates, I didn't get more playing time than others. There had to be room for everyone, no matter how good or bad you were. If I scored and was the least bit cocky, I was always put in my place. Then I was told that it was also the team's merit that I scored. After all, they had done all the processing. I was also brought up to keep both feet on the ground, even if you succeed. That you don't put yourself on a throne and think that you are more important than others just because you are more skilled. You are not. When I come home to Ikast today, I am also just Pernille. Both out in the city and at home with my family. It is very Danish. And very healthy.'

What is the best thing about Denmark? "When you travel around the world, you are often reminded of how lovely Denmark really is. I think we are good at not taking things so seriously at home. We are also not as formal and solemn as people are in many other places. We are very little self-congratulatory, and we have no problem making fun of ourselves and each other. That way we are very down to earth. I really like that. At the same time, we are good at giving space to being different, and we were the first country in the world to allow homosexuals to marry. Of course, there is still a difference between being gay in Copenhagen and in a small provincial town. When you live in a big city, you experience quite naturally that life can be lived in many different ways, and therefore one's view often expands. That was probably also the reason why I didn't feel completely comfortable coming out as a lesbian at home in Ikast when I was a teenager, but only did it when I moved to Sweden and had gotten a little older. Today, I only meet support when I walk on the street in Ikast, and I hope that my openness helps to make it easier for others to stand by their sexuality.'

What is the worst? "The climate. When playing football, it is more fun to do it in good weather. I love sun and heat as much as I hate rain, wind and cold. I could really live without the Danish winter. Today I live in London, and here the weather is nothing to shout about either. Fortunately, I am young enough to have escaped playing on the wet clay courts that my parents played on when they were young. I grew up with artificial grass and synthetic pitches, and after all, it makes autumn and winter a little more bearable.

What is the strongest memory from childhood? "I spent most of my childhood playing football. Not just in the local club. I often continued to play with the other children in the neighborhood when I got home from training. We ran around the country roads and broke our knees or fought close battles around the gardens. One evening we had hoisted a lamp up a flagpole so that we could continue playing even though it had become dark. Time flew by and we forgot all about mealtimes and when to go to bed.

I always wanted to be the best and early on dreamed of making the national team. But every time I watched the television at home in the living room, there were only boys and men kicking the ball. At one point I demanded to have my hair cut short so I could look like the players on the screen. It continued like this for a few years, until one day my older sister told me that there was also a national team for women. Then I let my hair grow back.'

If you were to move to another place in Denmark, where would it be? "When my sports career ends and I have to return to Denmark, I would like to live in Aarhus or Copenhagen. Once you've tried living in a big city, it's hard to miss the cafés, restaurants, concert venues and the long opening hours.'

Where do you eat the best meal? "At my parents'. For many years, my grandmother made the best fried pork with parsley sauce you could find in Ikast and the surrounding area, but when she died a few years ago, my mother took over the role of my favorite cook. Her version of fried pork with parsley sauce is not as good as my grandmother's, but it comes close. Maybe it's really about the fact that I have so many good childhood memories with my grandparents that the memories make the food taste better.

After all, you also eat with your heart. I think my nephews will feel the same way about my mother's roast pork with parsley sauce. She is their grandmother, after all.'

Which Dane do you respect? » Lise Nørgaard. It's crazy to think that she fought the women's fight already in the 1930s. After all, it was a completely different society back then, and it must have taken a lot of courage to stand up and speak her mind the way she did. Few did. Back then, women were supposed to keep quiet and behave nicely, but Lise Nørgaard decided early on that she didn't want to be a stay-at-home housewife, and instead chose to enter the labor market together with the men. I can sometimes be surprised that equality.

I grew up with a mother who always had her own opinion, and my father did not sit at the end of the table and decide everything. He also went to the kitchen and cooked. Maybe not quite as often as my mother, but then he did the dishes. Therefore, it is also completely natural for me to take part in the fight for equality.

Sometimes people ask why I bother to come forward, but I'm so screwed up that if there's something I want to change, I'll do it myself. If nobody does anything, nothing happens either.''

What do you miss when you are abroad? "Rye bread. My partner is from Sweden, and she cannot understand that you can be full from a few slices of rye bread in the middle of the day. She wants hot food for lunch. But I love a rye bread meal with a good curry herring or a fish fillet with remoulade.'

'Which season do you enjoy the most? "Summer. I grew up in the middle of Jutland, so I always had an hour and a half drive to the sea, but my parents liked to drive that trip to get to the water. Not least in the summer months, when you could swim. During the summer holidays we always went camping in Italy, and as an adult I also love to travel. Every summer I make sure to spend at least a week in Denmark, because I love the Danish summer light, but I also make sure to go abroad, so I'm sure to get some sun and warmth.'

'Where in the country would you like to go? like to be buried? "I don't think much about death. In fact, I try to avoid thinking about it. I'm not the type to believe that anything happens afterward. Unfortunately. Otherwise, it could be nice if you went to a nice place and saw all the people you've cared about again. My mother's family was quite religious, and so is my mother actually, but I did not inherit that faith. Therefore, I also have the opinion that you should enjoy and get the most out of life while you have it. You do that by being in the moment and being grateful for the things you have, and trying not to be upset about all the things you don't have.

There will always be something you wish was better or different, but if you get stuck in those thoughts, it will be difficult to be satisfied with the life you live. But of course, you have to seek out the dreams you have. That's what life is all about. And when I have to leave here, I want to be buried in Ikast. My grandparents also lie there, and my parents will probably lie there too, so somehow there is a sense of security in knowing that is where I am going. Then the ring is just like over.'

[leonsliga]

Sorry about longrid, but I have to get out after Flick didn't call Leon. I'm not from Germany, but I've been following the national team since 2017. It seems to me that the problem with the current team is that Flick is trying to create leaders and hierarchy artificially. In the summer of 2022, Flick publicly said that he wanted to create the core of the team. He called the leaders Manu, Jo, Leon, Thomas. He also named Rudiger as the new chief of defense. And he asked Gundogan to take on more responsibility, because he wants to see him as a leader. But the problem is that Rudiger and Gundo have never tried and did not really want to be leaders in the national team. I haven't seen this in previous years. Yes, Rudiger is a fighter on the pitch and the best German defender right now. But I have never seen that he wants to be responsible for the team either at his club or in the national team. Yes, Gundo was the captain of City, but he did not try to do this in the national team. But Flick demanded it from them and they try to behave differently. At that time, players like Leon and Thomas always tried to take responsibility, to stand in front of the team. Yes, they didn't play very well, but that's how almost everyone played under Flick! In order to trust natural leaders, Flick prefers to create a hierarchy artificially. Definitely this is not the only problem of the team, but I think it is important. We could replace in the last games of Bayern, what kind of influence Leon has on the field as a leader.

You don’t ever have to apologize! Being football fans means sometimes we need to rant about what’s going on. I want this to be a safe space where you can do just that 💜 besides, at least we’re all in the same boat rn and can vent to each other.

I’m not from Germany either, but I love this team and want to see them succeed. You bring up a lot of interesting points. More often that not, trying to manufacture leadership doesn’t work out. Leaders have to emerge from within the team, not be crammed into the position by their superiors. I feel like Manu, Jo, Thomas, and Leon are good picks for the core of the team; each of them has a slightly different leadership style (though Thomas and Jo are quite similar in their approach, as are Manu and Leon). As for Gündogen and Rüdiger, if they didn’t want to assume a position of leadership within the national team, they shouldn’t be forced to do so. Both are world-class players and can encourage team solidarity through their performances on the pitch alone; they don’t necessarily need the added pressure of taking on a leadership role if they don’t want it (even though I have no doubt both of them can handle it).

With so many incredible talents at their disposal, it’s sad to see how far DFB has fallen since their World Cup victory in 2014. The team has its fair share of systemic issues, but I still believe it can get back on track. At the end of the day, what unites the team (and should unite the team) is the pride they feel when representing Germany. The team has leaders, but I agree, they need to step up voluntarily; they need to feel called to the position themselves.

[beardedmrbean]

Talks on the next government's programme started this week, with four parties and their advisors and lobbyists all focused on the House of the Estates in Helsinki where multiple working groups were named this week to thrash out policy in different areas.

The negotiations are expected to be difficult, with the Finns Party's lines on immigration and European Union policy expected to be challenged by the more liberal Swedish People's Party.

Ilta-Sanomat reports (siirryt toiseen palveluun) that there appeared to be some frustration on Thursday night after Sebastian Tynkkynen, a former reality TV participant and Finns Party MP, had asked followers on Twitter to tell him which Yle content and channels were not necessary.

He had been appointed to chair talks on digital communications, which he interpreted to include Yle's funding and content.

That idea was slapped down by Prime Minister-elect Petteri Orpo (NCP) later on Thursday, when he was asked if his government would try to influence Yle's output. He said that no, content was not a matter for government, and that Yle policy is traditionally managed in parliament by cross-party consensus.

Tynkkynen was displeased by that comment, and said on social media later that Orpo had made a "big mistake".

Working groups officially start their deliberations next week.

Plastic pitch problem

Rubber crumb, an essential component of artificial football pitches, is to be banned by the European Union within eight years — and that could pose a huge threat to Nordic football.

That's according to the President of the Norwegian Football Association Lise Klaveness, who told (siirryt toiseen palveluun) Helsingin Sanomat that the Nordic countries need to find a replacement fast.

The tiny black pieces of rubber help make plastic pitches feel more like real grass, which does not grow at these latitudes for most of the year.

The spread of artificial pitches has helped more Finnish footballers play all year round, but the rubber crumb — which is usually made from recycled tyres — is toxic to humans and the environment.

It's already been removed by some European clubs, including Ajax Amsterdam, and now the EU has said that must happen across the bloc.

Speaking to HS at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Finland's women's national team, Klaveness said the rubber crumb ban will be a problem for the Nordic countries.

There are 29,000 artificial pitches in the EU, and 457 of them are in Finland. There have been attempts to find a sustainable alternative, but nothing has so far stood up to the challenging climate quite like rubber crumb.

Pea soup and war games

Iltalehti has been to meet (siirryt toiseen palveluun) some of the American soldiers taking part in the Arrow 23 military exercises in Niinisalo. Strategic and military chat was at a minimum, but the soldiers said they were surprised by the chilly weather in May.

One aspect of Finnish military life they did appreciate, however, was the food. Both soldiers said the food was tasty, and considerably better than the "MRE" (meal ready to eat) packages on offer in the US military.

Pea soup and chicken wings were particular favourites. Less popular were sauna and ice swimming, with the soldiers asking the reporter if that was "some kind of joke".

The Arrow 23 exercises bring together some 2,200 troops from six Nato countries for war games lasting until 15 May.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

In Brazil, Vinicius's hometown shares his pain

Taking a break from training beneath a giant poster of Vinicius Junior, on the same pitch where the Real Madrid star got his professional start, Pierry Amaro Ricardo has a word for the racism his idol endures.

"It's inhuman," says the 18-year-old Brazilian football prospect.

Like all the boys chasing the ball around the rectangle of green artificial turf at the Flamengo youth academy in Sao Goncalo, a poor city outside Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo dreams of following the same meteoric path as Vinicius, who started out here before signing with Real Madrid at age 16.

But the young midfielder fears black players like him will only continue to face the kind of treatment Vinicius received Sunday at Valencia, where the 22-year-old superstar was targeted with shouts of "monkey" from the stands -- the latest in a series of racist attacks against him.

"It's getting worse and worse," says Ricardo, who plays in the youth system of Flamengo, Brazil's most popular football club.

"Some people think it's normal. We're judged by the color of our skin. My mom's always told me since I was small, 'black people have to be twice as good,'" he told AFP.

Continue reading.

[locura-azul]

They finally finished renovating the football pitch in town (it's artificial turf) but it literally took like 5 months so I haven't been able to play since November and wow it felt so good to get to play again.

[iwouldplaythere]

[assportsandinfra]

What Makes Artificial Grass Certified by FIFA the Best Option for Football Fields?

For player performance, safety, and general game enjoyment in football, the condition of the playing surface is essential. Artificial grass that has received FIFA certification has become the industry standard for football pitches globally in recent years. These artificial turfs are the finest option for both amateur and professional football grounds since they are made to fulfill the strict FIFA regulations and are intended to provide longevity, consistency, and safety.

What makes artificial grass authorized by FIFA different from other kinds of turf, though, and why should managers and owners of football fields spend money on this high-performing option?

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Security and the User Experience On any football field, player safety comes first. Poor playing surfaces can lead to injuries, particularly when natural grass becomes damaged, slick, or uneven. With its excellent shock-absorbing qualities, FIFA-certified artificial grass allays these worries and gives players a safer playing surface. You may anticipate characteristics like these with artificial grass that has FIFA approval: Enhanced Traction: The surface's design minimizes the possibility of trips and falls, enabling players to travel over the field with assurance. Shock Absorption: The turf's backing and synthetic fibers are designed to cushion hits, easing joint strain and lowering the chance of injury.

FIFA-certified artificial grass is the best option for high-performance football fields because of its durability and safety features, which guarantee that players and teams may enjoy the game to the utmost.

Why Should You Get Your Artificial Football Turf from AS Sports and Infra?

Our area of expertise at AS Sports And Infra is installing FIFA-approved artificial grass on football fields throughout India. In order to ensure a long-lasting and secure playing field for your facility, our staff is committed to supplying premium, FIFA-certified artificial grass that suits your demands.

Performance and safety are given top priority in our artificial football grass installation services. In addition to providing better durability, drainage, and shock absorption, our FIFA-certified artificial grass replicates the texture and appearance of real grass. Our artificial grass solutions are made to fit your demands, whether you're in charge of a community sports complex or a major football stadium.

To learn more about our range of artificial grass for football fields, visit AS Sports and Infra today.

[aventurinele]

MMOexp: FC 24 empowers players to implement their strategic visions

While graphics create the visual allure, gameplay mechanics form the core of any football simulation. FC 24 introduces several new features and refinements that promise to keep every match fresh and engaging. A notable enhancement is the improved artificial intelligence, where both teammates and opponents demonstrate heightened intelligence. They make strategic runs, position themselves tactically, and react dynamically to FIFA 24 Coins game flow, intensifying the realism of each encounter.

Tactical depth in FC 24 has also been significantly expanded, granting players greater control over their team's style of play. Whether favoring high-pressing tactics, counter-attacking strategies, or possession-based football, FC 24 empowers players to implement their strategic visions on the virtual pitch. This strategic layer adds depth, where managerial decisions can profoundly influence match outcomes.

Player development in FC 24's career mode has undergone a comprehensive overhaul for a more immersive experience. Player attributes evolve based on performance, training regimes, and off-field activities, reflecting the nuanced management dynamics of real football clubs. Enhanced scouting systems, realistic transfer negotiations, and deeper managerial options contribute to a holistic experience for fans of buy FIFA 24 Coins football management.