Notes from Spain by Ben Curtis

With tomorrow’s Spain-France World Cup clash looming, it was obvious that before long some journalist was going to resuscitate Spanish manager Luis Aragonés’s unfortunate 2004 comments about French Star Thierry Henri (he called him “that black shit” in a training session with Henri’s fellow Arsenal player Reyes).

When questioned again about the incident in today’s pre-match press conference, he relied on his famed powers of eloquence to set the record straight:

“I’ve got friends of all races, blacks, gypsies… I’ve even got an intimate Japanese friend who’s a chicken sexer. When he saw what they were saying about me [in 2004], he didn’t understand it either. He supported me. His job is to decide whether a chicken is male or female and he gets it wrong twice in every thousand. If he gets it wrong, he gets the sack.”

Will the Japenese chicken sexer please step forward – the press would love an interview!

“June 23rd is celebrated in Barcelona as the night of Sant Joan, one of the shortest nights of the year… One of the biggest traditions is the fireworks display held by diables (devils) from local towns.”

Another great Flickr set from Greg Gladman.

This article from the Times nicely sums up something Marina and I are oft complaining about in the podcasts – the dreadful state of Spanish TV, and its increasing reliance on Telebasura (TV-rubbish).

“- Antena 3 Televisión, which produces two of the most popular trash TV programmes, recorded profits of €54.3 million (£37 million) in the first quarter of this year — a rise of 42 per cent from the same period last year
– ….. telebasura shows go a long way to capturing audience share — crucial to attracting advertisers”

Unfortunately, if trash is this profitable, they’re going to keep making it!

The BBC’s Melvyn Bragg takes on the Spanish Inquisition in this week’s edition of the excellent ‘In our Time’ series (which can be downloaded as a podcast). Thanks to Marbella in the forums for the tip!

12 ETA members were arrested in France and Spain today, including the capture of Julen Madariaga, one of the separatist group’s founding fathers. Those arrested were said to be in charge of the terrorist group’s extortion rackets, that are suspected to be continuing despite the recent historical ceasefire.

Full reports in The Guardian and El Mundo.

Spain make it through to the next round of the world cup, after eventually beating Tunisia 3 – 1… (more pics of spectators in Madrid)