Size of the pellota

There’s an old saying that, in sports writing, the smaller the ball, the better the writing. At least in terms of writing about soccer, that is changing. Witness Franklin Foer’s bestselling book last year, How Soccer Explains the World. And see Peter Berlin’s writing this week for the International Herald Trib. Two great passages: “John Carew's high, wild shot was a danger only to fans sitting in the upper deck... the gangling, awkward Carew induced small frissons of Milanese uncertainty as he caromed around the penalty area.”  And: “After Alessandro Costacurta, who turns 40 in April, received a yellow card for a foul on Florent Malouda, the Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti, opted to go with callow youth. He replaced Costacurta with Paolo Maldini, who is 37.”

Comments

[Sean Wilsey]

True, that's some nice writing. But what about the proofreading!?
"Then, when a low cross was deflected as it flew across the Lyon goalmouth, Kakà reacted by stretching his leg backward and guiding the ball back to Shevchenko with the soul of his boot."

[paul]

.......Mr. Wilsey & Harper aren't helping by including this muppet's musings in "Thinking Fan's Guide to the World Cup".....
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1741375,00.html