Talking Balls: Brands, Bands and Barcelona
The CSL is maybe not the most exciting league in the world but it is all that we have at the moment until football resumes with a vengeance in Europe over the next few weeks. Our (adpoted) hometown heroes, Beijing Guoan, have been a little disappointing so far in their quest to retain the CSL title. This looks to have changed as a couple of fortuitous one-nil wins over Jiangsu and more recently Nanchang (Modern Leifeng has a match report on the Nanchang Bayi game here) have got the Greens up to fourth spot on the table and just four points from the top. Guoan's recent signing Martinez scored both of the winners, if he can keep up this form he could be the transfer of the season.
Guoan take on FC Barcelona this weekend and at the prices that the tickets for the Bird's Nest have been set at I would expect that there are still seats to be had for those that want them. If the usual channels prove fruitless then the touts outside the ground on Sunday would be a good bet ... provided we didn't discourage playing into the hands of greymarket profiteers. Be warned that no one who won the 2010 World Cup will be playing in the game.
Kevin Garnett was in ROOMbeijing the other day. His reason for visiting China had less to do with his desire to eat in hip new joints but to promote his new deal with Anta Sports. KG has joined Li-Ning's Shaquille O'Neal and Baron Davis in signing with a Chinese sports brand. There must be money in the deal as the Celtics man was on a pretty penny for his Adidas contract. Basketballers are leading the way in the foray into Chinese sports (these signings and Marbury's defection to the CBA) which while unsurprising (the NBA's superior standing in China due to Yao Ming et al coupled with the organization's savvy) it should be commended rather than seen as cynical. It won't be long before there is a global footballing superstar turning out in Chinese branded boots. Especially as Celta de Vigo of Spain have taken the plunge into Chinese kits. Li-Ning is the manufacturer and the kits can be seen below, or here at footballshirtculture.
And finally ... Do you like tennis but don't want to wait for the China Open? Then you're in luck as the Beijing International Challenger is coming. The Beijing International Challenger you say? Yes, the Beijing International Challenger. Like top seeds? You got them - in the shape of Ireland's Conor Niland (ATP rank 161) and China's own Zhang Shuai (WTA rank 115). Like beauty contests? Well, of course there's one. What self-respecting tennis tournament would forget to have one? Plus you can challenge their "Fashion Team" and win prizes while listening to local bands. This tennis carnival is at the National Tennis Centre at the top of the Olympic Green until August 8th.