Last call before football.
Some things to tidy up before I turn my attention to pigskin.
Those of you with some sense of pop cultural history dating back before the advent of Instagram should understand the somewhat elusive reference of the photo here.
The Coneheads you see advised the Farbers before dinner, “We come from France.”
It was an SNL thing.
In case you haven’t noticed, USA and the French have developed quite an international hoops rivalry.
Given that sooner or later the generally acknowledged next GOAT Victor Wembanyama is from Gaul, as well as a bunch of other up and comers, this thing is not going to end. Folks are already contemplating LA28.
The last two men’s gold victories have been over the French. America’s only L since early in the century was to that country in group play.
Plus the women’s team oh so barely survived the home country on Sunday, by a single digit, in a game frankly not deserving of any more ink, despite a comeback from 10 down in the 3d.
Motto: Anything the men can do against Serbia, we can do too.
The men had to dig deep on Saturday to capture Au. Steph Curry drained four triples in the last three and change to dash any hope from France. His last one, hurled from his hip falling away and to the side over the outstretched arms of Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, was truly “the Golden Dagger.”
Play by Play guy Noah Eagle, an obvious rising star, rose to the occasion. Even Dwayne Wade paid attention to what was happening on the court. For the most part anyway.
Not quite “Do you believe in miracles?” But reasonably close.
Yo, and there was Al Michaels himself hangin’ with Snoop Dogg, who was Mr. Everywhere.
* * * * *
The United States Women volleyballers, unlike their b-ball counterparts, showed up in the gold medal match against Italy.
They were simply smoked. By an obviously better team.
The Italians lost but a single set the entire Games. The rest of their Ws were three set skunks.
In Cycling Sunday, American Jennifer Valente defended her goal in the Omnium event.
Don’t ask I haven’t a clue about it, other than it includes several other races on the indoor track.
So the final day of the games was another pretty good one for the U.S. of A.
Plus Cousin Tommy doin’ his Mission Impossible thing.
* * * * *
Not so good was the men’s track performance a few days ago in the 4×100 relay.
DQ because of a baton passing snafu.
None other than Carl Lewis advised coaching changes are necessary.
As if anybody around here, myself included, will notice until we tune in four years hence.
* * * * *
Something historic did happen in track and field.
Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands achieved transcendence by bronze medaling in the 5000 and 10000. Then within the short time frame of a week won the marathon.
This is some serious very impressive distance running.
The last one to do it for $500?
Who was Emil Zátapek in 1952?
He was from Czechoslovakia. Which, you are correct, no longer exists, after peacefully separating in ’92.
Why I’m on this history jag I have no idea?
Filler I suppose.
It’s easy when you’re internettin’ a lot.
* * * * *
But fear not.
Incisive college Football shtick starts this week.
As I was driving to the grocery on Saturday, I noticed there was what appeared to be a scrimmage of some sort at Trinity, the sidelines filled with old Toy Bowl DLs in knee high compression socks.
I found myself tuning into a bit of Edmonton Elks vs. BC Lions Sunday night.
It’s time.
— c d kaplan