Island Fling

10 July 2003
Victor reckons everyone's talking about it

I was in Spain last week - not nice Spain, but nasty, dirty ex-pat ghetto Spain, the Spain that has an "Irish" karaoke bar at the corner of every street, the Spain whose supermarkets stock potted noodles and baked beans. We didn't have Spanish television. So, instead of the welcome prospect of holiday local news, I was treated to Channel Islands' ITV courtesy of Sky. And what a treat it was.

Of course, it goes without saying that you have all been following the tenth Island Games, held this year in Guernsey. For the few of you who missed them, here's the big news from Channel TV. It's the most exciting thing since the Germans left.

Tuesday 1st July saw the competition's football semi-final qualifier between Guernsey, the host nation and Rhodes, who were celebrating having just that day been awarded the games for 2007. With temperatures in the low twenties, tempers were running high.

One Guernsey player was sent off earlier in the first half, as was the Rhodes Manager. Play was then halted when several of the Rhodes footballers surrounded the referee, Wendy Toms. After sending off five of the Rhodes players Ms Toms had no other option but to order the match to be abandoned mid-way through the second half, with Guernsey 2-1 in the lead. As the ugly scenes on the pitch spilled over into the crowd, police were called to the Corbet Field ground.

The Island Games Association Court of Appeal awarded the fixture to Guernsey, and the Rhodes team subsequently withdrew from the rest of the football competition, imposing a life-ban on the five who were red-carded. Despite fears of similar violence, the Ladies match passed off without incident, Guernsey winning 3-2.

The 2007 Rhodes games now face a football boycott, with officials from Jersey, Guernsey and the Falklands voicing concerns over the safety of players and management alike and Guernsey's star players refusing to attend.

OK, so you could have found this out for yourselves - and no, it's not exactly an original piece of creative writing. But you can appreciate why I had to tell you. Not only is it a great story: it's also true - perhaps the truest thing I've ever put up here. What particularly pleases me about it?

1) There is such a thing as the Island Games

2) On the night of 1st July, irate Greeks rampaged through the streets of Guernsey's capital. I bet you don't see that every day in St Peter Port.

Current clown:

18 December 2003. George writes: This List

Most recent ten:

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