Rocket science, undeed. Michael Klein, you are not fooling anyone with your tricky photography. Any imbecile can see the little Irish bloke is standing on the shoulders of an invisible leprechaun.
Rocket scientist lines up in Finnish Aussie Rules side
WHEN Juha Nieminen isn't doing whatever it is that rocket scientists do at home in Finland, he's honing his skills in Australian rules football.
That is a very cool jumper. It's a moose. But it's also angry looking.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 28 August 2008 at 11:46
Actually, I was just thinking the same thing. Better an angry moose - or possibly a reindeer - than a Heat, a Power, a Fury, a New Age Wanker, or whatever the latest stupid nickname happens to be.
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 12:18
A good little man will always beat a good big man... except when the good big man plays with a big moose on his jumper.
Come to think of it, the "Mooses" sounds like a side that would play in a soapie - the "Erinsborough Mooses" et al.
Posted by: Adsy | 28 August 2008 at 12:27
Traditional football saying:
"A little man gets tired. A big moose doesn't get any smaller."
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 12:29
Another soapie giveaway - "And I said (to teammate), 'Fernando, this Jimmy boy . . . he can play'
Posted by: Adsy | 28 August 2008 at 12:29
Unfortunately, Finland needs about 17 more like him...
Posted by: Rob de Santos | 28 August 2008 at 13:02
Just checked with the AFL. Father Christmas can get a game for Finland in the same way NT youngsters will get a game for the Gold Coast.
Ken Wood has ticked it off.
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 13:31
Actually, I was just thinking the same thing. Better an angry moose - or possibly a reindeer - than a Heat, a Power, a Fury, a New Age Wanker, or whatever the latest stupid nickname happens to be.
Testify. I also like how they incorporated the cock-eyed cross from the flag of Finland.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 28 August 2008 at 13:56
The Finn footballers obviously "get" the concept of back to basics. Were their jumper designed here, it would look something like Port Power's jumper and their mascot would be Tommy Thunda the Power mascot. Tommy Chunda to his mates. Tommy The Big Stupid Phone Thing to everyone else.
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 14:03
For some reason this reminds me of Tony Lockett and Peter Caven. All we need is a piglet in the background.
Posted by: m0nty | 28 August 2008 at 15:54
Wonder if it reminds Peter Caven of Tony Lockett. Wonder if ANYTHING reminds Peter Caven of Tony Lockett.
The big Finn reminds me of Tiny from the Sven Hassel books.
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 16:06
Is that Bullwinkle?? Top effort Finland.
Posted by: RT | 28 August 2008 at 18:55
Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that... this:
Posted by: Tony T | 28 August 2008 at 19:17
I like the fact that the wee one is a proper old skool* footballer. You can tell by his dirty knees.
*Isn't that how the kiddies are saying it these days?
Posted by: Random | 29 August 2008 at 05:48
Err, the big guy's actually Swedish, but all the jokes still work.
Posted by: David | 29 August 2008 at 08:04
Random: Precisely. As in two kewl for skool."
Dave: Same Viking different longboat. Although, that does account for yesterday's nagging doubt: "I didn't know Finland's colours were the same as Sweden's."
Posted by: Tony T | 29 August 2008 at 11:51
I was there when that was being taken. The photographer made the Irish guy jump in the air about 50 times to try and get the effect. Poor crunt was worn out by the end.
Posted by: Adam 1.0 | 29 August 2008 at 15:37
I like the fact the little bloke still has a smile and soft hands on the footy, despite being knackered.
Posted by: Tony T | 30 August 2008 at 16:02
Maybe one of the earlier shots did the trick and the rest was just taking the piss.
Saw Japan vs Samoa the other day. Whoever is coaching Japan is a gun, they're ordinary players (obviously) but tactically they were dominating and their set-up was top notch for one of the lesser countries.
Posted by: Adam 1.0 | 30 August 2008 at 20:36
We could have done with the little bloke today.
Posted by: Tony T | 31 August 2008 at 19:27
South Africa have made a lot of progress.
When I umpired Canada v South Africa a few years ago, the Canucks put the Northwind right up them and the South African kiddies were lucky to score. This time around they are going alright.
Posted by: Bruce | 31 August 2008 at 20:35