Taking a turn ‘in the woods,’ confronting the goalkeeper’s choice
Goalkeepers—as 20th-century existentialists knew—provide football’s paradigm for action in the face of uncertainty.
Goalkeepers—as 20th-century existentialists knew—provide football’s paradigm for action in the face of uncertainty.
Assaf Gavron, captain of the Israeli writers’ XI (see 9 Dec 08), regards football as a legitimate literary subject: “The main appeal is to accomplish the boyhood dream of many men really, not only writers. It is to be a football star.” With podcast »
What does soccer have to do with literature? asks Israeli novelist Assaf Gavron in advance of a Writers’ League friendly between Germany and Israel. “Soccer is life, literature is about life.”
Boys' sides from two Khayelitsha children's homes compete in 30mph winds and occasional horizontal rain on Cape Flats on 24 Jun 09. Match referee Shaun Daweti laments the swearing during the game, especially over two vigorously contested late goals. As a result, he awards neither side "fair-play points."
David Goldblatt calls The Global Game: Writers on Soccer "the first truly global survey of writing" on world football. Buy from Amazon »