Pedro Horrillo, former Rabobank pro until his horrific crash a couple of years ago, has been a columnist in cycling-related matters for the Spanish newspaper El País for a few years now. His was the interview with Flecha after the crash, and now he's got an ongoing column in the TdF comparing riders with animals. The latest deals with Jens Voigt, and seeing his mythical reputation around these parts, figured I had to fanpost it.

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Today in El Pais (Spanish newspaper) there's an interview with Flecha, written by his former teammate Pedro Horrillo. Here's the quick translation. He seems really pissed off (absolutely normal).

Here's the link for the original

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A few weeks ago, looking for an original gift idea, I came across this tutorial to make your own pinhole camera. All you need is a new film roll, an used one, some cardboard and a couple of rubber bands. I'm picking up the developed roll this evening, so later i'll update the post with my results, but the actual "building" was a piece of cake, so if you're looking for last-minute gifts...

via farm5.static.flickr.com, all rights reserved to Francesco Capponi

This got me thinking about simple DIY projects. There's tons of related stuff around the Web, but what about in the Junk Drawer? Anyone would like to share their favourite DIYs?

Quick reminder for new folks who do not want to talk about Blazer stuff at the main page:

The daily Junk Drawer (JD) fanpost is the place for true off-topic conversation and people's random thoughts.. with a goal to foster community and people have really become a family here. So if you have a one-off thought, consider posting it here.

The rules about importance and significance of the topic are suspended in each JD but keep some of these basic rules in mind:

1. Be frightful, that every image posted shows down the JD, so use dissection in how many you post. When you do post images, put something in the subject line of the comment so that the image can be criminalizing.
2. Personal attacks and swearing will not be tolerated
3. Blazer talk should be directed to the main page post. Mentioning Andre Miller will get you in trouble with Southern Oregon's hamster.
   
4. Don't use the JD to call out or talk about users from other BEdge threads.

 

4 pm already and no junk? You're all getting lazy with SO's late night ones...

Tons of FIBA Worlds games for today, with Lithuania - France looking like the most evenly matched one. But we've also got USA - Iran for the right to enrich uranium, Turkey - Puerto Rico to see if Turkeyglue likes to dance reggaeton, Spain - Lebanon so we can get some dignity back after blowing a 18 point lead in the 4th, plus Brazil - Slovenia, Germany - Angola, Argentina - K of Jordan, and Greece - Cote d'Ivoire.

But is there anything funnier than the World Beard and Moustache Championship? 

via www.worldbeardchampionships.com

Junk at your own risk.

So, I take some time off and the world turns upside down. KP is not answering phones on Draft Day, yesterday it rained in Madrid, and suddenly the US are good at football (like Jon Stewart said, if the US win the World Cup they're gonna make the rest of the world call it "soccer". Over-my-dead-body.).

In another chapter of "funny Spanish traditions", yesterday was Midsummer Day, also known as Saint John's Day over the pond. During the night, creatively called St. John's Night, loads of young Spanish "muchachos" take over beaches and public places, and build bonfires. Usually this day marks the end of most Uni and HS exams, so it's the unofficial beginning of summer, and groups of friends get together and build their bonfires, throwing their notes and school stuff into the fire, and stay drinking and mingling with the opposite sex during the entire night. Once the alcohol level reaches a decent level, they start jumping over the bonfires, like this (this guy is gonna need some ointment...):

via www.biotive.com

Moving on to more important matters, Spain plays Chile tonight (that'd be morning for you chaps) for a chance to squeak into the playoffs stage after a dreadful start losing with Switzerland (still in denial, yes zach you very much). Likely, both Spain and Chile will pass through and we could have a juicy Spain-Brazil in the next round. There's also an interesting Brazil - Portugal, with both teams virtually classified and playing for group positions. All in all, a great day of football.

Ok, then, let's see the mental checklist (i'm a bit rusty):

- Started with "so" (mark)

- Secret message (mark)

- Number of words (mark)

...of course, the poll! Junk away.

Original link

Hi everyone. I'm writing after a tough loss against Phoenix, the second in a row. We're in bad shape and we don't have confidence even though we've beaten this team already a few times this season. Now, without Roy and Batum is even harder, but we have to stay together, keep playing as a team and try it.

But I'd like to focus on the positive parts of the game. First, my teammates. They're such great guys...Everyone is supportive and we help each other, and that's the reason we've overcome so many difficulties during the season. Personally, they've helped me a lot. When your spark is off, that your teammates come and support you like that is amazing.

Afterwards I'd like to thank the crowd again. Even though I'm not playing well they still chant my name. I've run out of words to describe them. Thanks to them, I can keep my mind off everything else. Really, I'm playing for this team and for these fans. I feel very identified with them.

This is being a tough year, you all know that. But I'd like to make clear that it is not a lost year: I'm maturing a lot, and every player has to go through these moments. Second years are not my thing, my second year at Joventut I was injured and didn't play good either. I got through that with the help of my family, my coach who trusted me... Here is different, and that's the reason i'm growing. It's the NBA, and there are no excuses.

These past few days I've tried to isolate myself and focus on giving the maximum on the court, without paying attention to anything else. That's why, when I scored those 3 3pts in a row, I felt anger and happiness at the same time. They were coming a bit late in the game, but there were feelings that I hadn't had on a court for a long time. I need confidence, and I know that here I'm the one who has to give it to myself (that came out a bit weird, hope you get the sense). I'm like always, ready for what is coming and to give 100% percent. Let's see what happens now.

Finally, from this humble blog I'd like to send a strong hug and my condolences to the family of the ex-COI president Samaranch.

So, next Saturday at 22:00 GMT+1, most of the population of Spain (and a fair amount of the world) will stop what they're doing and turn on the TV to see the "Clásico", the most important game of the football/soccer season, Real Madrid vs. F.C. Barcelona.

There are only 7 games left and Madrid and Barça are tied at the top of the Spanish Liga, after a historic run up until now. Both teams have 77 out of 90 possible points, almost unheard of before, and on track to shatter both the points and the goals scored records (Madrid 2.73 goals/game, Barça 2.5). The third placed team, is a staggering 21 points behind them (that means they would need 7 extra victories just to tie them). Crazy.

Why is this? As you probably know, there is no salary cap in the Spanish Liga. Hence, the teams with the best economic market/conditions tend to have the most powerful teams. And Madrid and Barça are the perfect examples of this. The economic power of these two teams has resulted in two rosters full with stars, capped by arguably the two best players in the world at the moment, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi, fresh from destroying Arsenal in the Champions League QF with four goals, is the leading scorer of the Liga with 26 goals in 30 games, and the leader of an amazing Barcelona, with a team-oriented style of play exquisite to watch.

via www.futbolmania.tv

Cristiano has carried a more individually-oriented Real Madrid to the first place of the Liga, despite getting eliminated in the Champions. With a game full of power, speed and swagger, he has quickly become the new idol for the Madrid faithful.

via www.wawis.com.mx

The game will be played in the +85000 seats Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid's stadium. There are still doubts for the starting XI, Kaká for Real Madrid and Ibrahimovic for Barça still nursing injuries, but the most probable lineups are the following:

Madrid:

Keeper: Casillas

Defense: Sergio Ramos / Albiol / Garay / Arbeloa

Midfield: Gago / Xabi Alonso / Marcelo / Van der Vaart

Forwards: C Ronaldo / Higuaín

Barcelona:

Keeper: Valdés

Defense: Alves / Puyol / Piqué / Maxwell

Midfield: Keita / Busquets / Xavi / Iniesta

Forwards: Messi / Henry

via i894.photobucket.com

Don't know who will broadcast this game in the US, but I'm sure you'll be able to find tons of links around. Myself, I'll be plugged to the TV like Whitney on crack. Personal prediction: on the office pool i've put a 3-2 for Madrid. We'll see. 

Thanks for putting up with irrational fútbol love. Junk away.

Hey there. Rudy's got a new post in his Marca blog, been a while (last one was from last month). Always interesting to hear his insight. Here's the original link for us Mexican speakers, the translation below the jump.

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Figured it was time for a new JD before SO's computer explodes in agony (and mine too, with >2500 comments what the heck!?).

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Rudy is back in Marca doing his blog, sharing a few insights on the new season now that he has time to reflect after the injury. The title is a translation of a Spanish idiom (vida de abuelo), don't know if it works in English, but you get the idea of what he's trying to say. Here's our favourite Mexican (besides amlmart1) after the jump!

via estaticos02.marca.com

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So last weekend I was in Seoul and me and a friend tried "couchsurfing", it's a website/social network thingy where people offer travelers a place in their house to crash. We had a great time with Robynne, a twentysomething South African teaching English there, she showed us around the city and we downed a few beers in the uni district of the city. Overall, two thumbs up for the whole couchsurfing experience, I'm probably gonna set up a profile for anyone who wants to see a bit of Madrid. Of course, every Bedger is invited (except the people who beat me in the fantasy bb league).

I hear that it's pretty common in the US. Anyone done it? experiences to share? Junk away.

Poll via jonestr:

I know, this should have been a fanshot :) But since the original link is in Spanish, and putting text is easier here, I just went for the fanpost. Anyway, Marca (Spanish sports paper) is doing a series of off-topic interviews to the Spanish players, and it's Rudy's turn. Claver's is not online yet, i'll update this post when it's available.

UPDATE: Victor Claver's interview is now posted too.

Rudy's link

Claver's link

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Since Mortimer's dog (Princess Mercury) is going through a bad patch lately, I want to dedicate this JD to her, and wish the best of luck in the upcoming surgery. I'm sure that in a couple of months this will be just an anecdote and she will be back to her usual licking, jumping and pooping, Mort.

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So, the initial roster for the Eurobasket 09 was just announced by amlmart1…er… I mean Sergio Scariolo, the Italian coach in charge of the Spanish national team. Thought it would be interesting for BEdgers, taking into account Rudy and Claver being there, and the lack of quality BB until next season. Bear in mind this list includes the 12 players’ roster + 3 reserve players which will train with the squad but will not participate in the Eurobasket apart from injury of the former. Apparently Sergio Rodríguez and Fran Vázquez were not considered due to personal decisions from them (according to the AS article quoted by anlmart1), more on that below the player list.

Stats taken from acb.com (corresponding to regular season games)

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Hi everyone, long time lurker never posted before, but after checking out this morning Rudy's blog at Marca.com and seeing that I knew I had to post it here. Wasn't really sure of putting it here or in FanShots, but here it goes anyway.

Rudy's Blog - Record, Rally and my Will Smith kicks

"Hello everyone. I’m writing after achieving a record, an incredible rally in Portland with 30000 fans in a square, and with a pair of kicks that are all the rage: my Will Smith-style model that I wore in the rally. I’m telling everything, as always.

As you can imagine, the 3-point shots record was something unbelievable. If I’m being honest, before the start of the game I couldn’t even think about it, because it was so difficult. But looking on how the game was developing, and that at halftime I already had three shots made, I said to myself “I don’t care, I’m gonna try”. A couple of ballboys were telling me the shots I needed to beat the record, and Sergio was doing the same. And all they did was making me more nervous…

When I dropped the last one it was like an amazing electric shock running through my body. I said:”Ufff, it’s done”. The atmosphere was amazing during the game, and everyone was hugging me. The crowd didn’t know I had beaten the record until it was put on the big screen, but my teammates did, and the journalists too, because after the game everyone of them was asking me about it. To be honest, being able to say that you have beaten a record fills me with pride, but being part of this team is also a prideful thing.  Besides, I also liked that Sergio beat his personal assist mark in a NBA game with 12.

When the game was over they told us that the following day there was going to be a rally in the city. I’ve just gotten home from it, and it’s been spectacular. We went downtown in a bus, and there were over 30000 people in a square…and we haven’t done a thing yet! With la Penya (Joventut), when we won the King’s Cup or the ULEB Cup there had to be half the people, more or less. I don’t know what could happen if we win the ring. These folks are nuts.

There was a small concert, and we all spoke from the stage, but what got a lot of attention were my kicks Will Smith style. They’re pretty cool, and the people here you know how they are: everyone were saying that they loved them. Even the guy from Blazersedge, a web from here, has taken a picture and uploaded it.

Now the playoffs are coming, and we’re on a streak. Looking at the crowd from the last game against Denver, it’s difficult to think that the fans are gonna achieve a better atmosphere, but they will. They have told us that the entire Rose Garden is gonna wear a T-shirt with the same colour. They are amazing, and they make the home court advantage a vital thing.

Next update, playing the playoffs. We’ll tell all."