I say “Spain,” You say……

Before 2010, if someone in the room said the word: “Spanish,” the immediate reactive associations were:

  • a) the Armada (1588);
  • b) the Inquisition (1478- 1834);
  • c) the Flu (1918); and
  • d) an omelette.

About 3 folks on earth might be able to connect Spain with Miguel Indurain, who won the Tour de France for five straight years (1991-1996), but athletic dominance was not a Top Ten association with Spain.  That all changed in July 2010 when Spain defeated the Netherlands on Andrés Iniesta’s goal in the 116th minute of the World Cup, and since that historic tally, Spain has been on a competitive tear.

  • Yesterday, two soccer teams from Spain squared off in the prestigious UEFA Champions League Semifinal where Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0.  Of the 16 European teams to reach the knockout phase of the UEFA, three of them were from Spain, and Spain will be represented in the Finals.
  • In the last two weeks, World #1 Ranked tennis player Rafael Nadal has faced fellow countryman David Ferrer (World #6) in the Finals of the Monte Carlo and Barcelona Opens.  Spain currently boasts four of the top 15 slots in the ATP World Rankings and an astounding 13 of the top 75 – 17.3%!.  The US has 3 men in the top 75.
  • There are also 4 Spanish women ranked in the WTA top 75; and American women… 3.
  • Lance Armstrong last won a Tour de France in 2005.  Since that time, Spaniards Oscar Pereiro, Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador have won five straight.

Spain is ranked 27th in world population at 46.7M, just above the Ukraine and Sudan.  The US is estimated to be at 313.2M (3rd).  Spain is the 52nd largest country in the world with just under 506,000 sq. km and is 5% of the size of the US.

Soccer, Tennis, Cycling and an up and coming Golf contingent.  Pau Gasol on the LA Lakers and Marc Gasol on the Memphis Grizzlies – both in the NBA playoffs.  Pound for pound, looking at population size and geographic area, Spain has quietly become a player in the sporting world.

Fast Fact: – Rafa has played Ferrer 17 times in his career, leading the series 13-4.  Nadal’s last loss to Ferrer came in the Quarterfinals of the Aussie Open in January 2011 which destroyed Nadal’s chance at four consecutive Grand Slam victories (Wimbledon, French, US and Australian).

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3 Responses to “I say “Spain,” You say……”

  1. Mrs. Earl Gray Says:

    One of the three people on earth who know of Miguel Indurain is an enthusiastic fan of The Bench Jockeys — a testament to the sophistication of your readership.

  2. Ian Paregol Says:

    Our readers are the best. Thank you for your exceptional comments.

  3. Harpo Says:

    Good Bye, Seve. At the age of 54, Seve Ballesteros (of Spain) lost his hard-fought battle with a cancerous brain tumor, golf lost a great competitor and ambassador, and Spain lost a favorite son. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ballesteros family. Seve’s shot-making, tenacity and flair were what many of us in our 40s originally lead us to explore golf, and this week, we mourn the loss of one of golf’s greats.

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