Sailing away

Stairs to heaven...

The hole

The interpid travellers set off on foot midway in the afternoon through crevices, rocks and cliffsides and wild vegetation to discover previously uncharted land for them. Through rocky patches, cisterns, trees they marched until they reached the sea with its soothing effect on all of them. After taking a breather they decided to start their trek back and after walking for around an hour realized that they were lost and that the track they were on was a treacherous one that led to nowhere. With sunset soon finishing its course the now weary travellers decided to turn back and try find the original track. With some luck the right track was soon found but it was then that things soon took an unexpected twist.

All of a sudden the travellers fell in a hole. Shaken, it took them some moments to realize what had happened and take their bearings. The first reaction was to start shouting but it soon dawned on them that they were the only persons in that remote area. With the little light left and a small torch that one of the adventurers had they trudged towards what seemed like a narrow and damp tunnel and they quickly realized that they were in a network of tunnels and rooms, most probably used in the Second World War. In some rooms they found old bottles, bunkbeds and some inscriptions on the wall.

Room after room and through several tunnels the intrepid travellers went through and they were getting intrigued by what they were seeing. Suddenly in one room that was bigger than all the others they had seen, they found alot of equipment which seemed like a mixture of decoding and radar equipment full of cobwebs.

After a short rest the travellers kept on walking until they found a flight of stairs leading upwards. Thinking that they had found a way out they enthusiastically trudged forward only to find the exit blocked by some rubble. Not to be discouraged they formed a human line to dislodge the stones and soon enough managed to force open the iron door that was beyond the rubble and found themselves back in the open air a few miles away from where they had originally set off. Relieved they walked the last part to the cars, tired but with the knowledge they had stumbled upon something extraordinary.

Sam Deguara - The Maltese rising star in Basketball

For many this name might not ring any bells but to all those that have an interest in local sports, especially basketball, acknowledge that he is the rising star in the Maltese basketball scene. Despite his tender age he is already plying his trade abroad, namely with Benetton Treviso. This experience will most certainly help him improve from all possible aspects, be they tactical and physical as well so as to get used to the rigours of playing in a professional league and living in a country other than Malta. Benetton Treviso finished in a respectable 8th position in the SerieA Standings with teams that include the mighty Montepaschi Siena and Armani Milano amongst others, who always impress not only in the Italian League but also in European competitions.

With some patience and most of all lots of dedication and hard work and why not, some luck, Sam Deguara might become a wholesale star not only in Italian Basketball but also in the mother of all leagues, the NBA! Here is wishing Sam Deguara and all those people who have a dream, to believe in it and work hard to achieve their dream.

View from above - Mellieħa

Gravity

Vuvuzela

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa has hit the world like a storm with millions of people glued to tv sets to watch their star players and favourite national team playing. Malta being no less with the local favourites England and Italy both gaining precious draws in albeit different circumstances. Amidst all this the vuvuzela has grabbed quite a few headlines because of the loud noise it emits and there seems to be a divide on whether they should be banned or not with Fifa taking a stance that they are there to remain. Following are some interesting facts related to the current World Cup.


1. Brasil is the only South American team to win a World Cup in Europe, America and Asia.

2. European teams haven't won a world cup outside Europe.

3. Only Italy - 1934 and 1938 and Brazil - 1958 and 1962 have won two consecutive World Cups in a row.

4. Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, West Germany, England and France won the trophy as hosts. Brazil lost at home in 1950.

5. Two finals were decided in penalties: 1994 and 2006.

6. Three finals were decided in extra-time: 1934, 1966 and 1978.

7. Most appearances by a team: Brazil - all 18 editions.

8. Most wins: Brazil - 5.

9. Most winners-up: Germany - 4.

10. Most final appearances: Brazil and Germany - 7 each.

11. Most winners medals: Pele, Brazil - 3.

12. Most goals scored: Ronaldo, Brazil - 15 (1998 - 2006).

13. Most goals in a tournament: Just Fontaine - 13 (1958).

14. Most goals in match: Oleg Salenko - 5 (Russia vs Cameroon, 1994).

15. Most wins as a coach: Vittorio Pozzo - 2 (Italy 1934 and 1938).

16. Highest attended match: 199 854 (Uruguay vs Brazil, 16 July 1950, Maracana Stadium).

Sources: (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/396367-south-africa-world-cup-2010-10-simple-facts-about-the-world-cup; http://internationalsoccer.suite101.com/article.cfm/ten_quick_world_cup_facts).