Chapter 2
Ková?
Day five of the American food study. I've found pancakes. They're different from Czech pancakes. The difference is that these are better. I'll deny this in public
Novotny
Treason
Polá?ek
The pancake discourse has gone too far
?íma
The pancake discourse has not gone far enough
Ková?
the syrup is a separate issue. I have thoughts on the syrup but I am saving them
?íma
Ková? is saving his syrup thoughts. the man has a reserve of syrup opinions he is holding back from us. I do not know whether to be grateful or concerned
HOWEVER. the pancakes will have to wait. POST-MATCH REPORT. unofficial. unsanctioned. the coaching staff did not ask for this and will not receive it
Polá?ek
the coaching staff is in the next room
?íma
the coaching staff is always in the next room. this has never stopped me
item one. Ková? almost scored
Ková?
I did not almost score. I was in position. the ball chose a different path
?íma
the ball chose the corner flag. the corner flag was fifteen meters from the goal. the ball's path was ambitious
Novotny
his run was good
?íma
his run was directionally uncertain
Ková?
my run was purposeful. the execution was pending
?íma
item two. Hájek's equalizer. Tomá? "I Will Run Through A Wall" Hájek receives a perfect header from Mare? and finishes like a man who has been waiting for that specific ball since birth
Hájek
it was a good ball
Mare?
it was a decent ball
Hájek
it was a PERFECT ball. you dropped it on my foot like you were placing a plate
Mare?
I placed it where you should have been. you happened to be there
Hájek
I was there because I've been running onto your headers for ten years and I know where you put them
Mare?
then stop acting surprised when they arrive
?íma
item three. Vě? won every aerial duel. every single one. the South African striker went home and reconsidered his career choices. I watched a man's spirit leave his body in the fifty-eighth minute
Polá?ek
that's an exaggeration
?íma
I saw what I saw Polá?ek
Novotny
the back line was solid. the whole unit
?íma
the back line was solid. but the aerial duels were personal. Mare? was jumping like a man with unresolved feelings
Mare?
I was jumping like a center back. that's the job
?íma
sure
Hájek
one-one is a fair result. we're through if we handle the next match. the group is open
?íma
Hájek with the tactical assessment. Hájek is always ready with the tactical assessment
Hájek
somebody has to be
?íma
item four. Tobík brought his hockey team. four large men in Czech scarves who did not understand the offside rule and were louder than our section
Ková?
the big Italian one kept screaming
Novotny
Marchetti
Hájek
they were very enthusiastic. Tobík's teammates. they were good
Mare?
they came to support
Hájek
of course they came. Tobík knows everyone in Atlanta. he probably knows the stadium staff by name
?íma
he does. I saw a woman at the gate call him Tobík. not Hájek. TOBíK. this man is the mayor of Atlanta and none of us were informed
Mare?
he's been here nine months. that's enough time
?íma
Vě?. that is the most you have said about Tobík in three years. noting this for the record
Mare?
there's no record
?íma
there is always a record