‘Bowleggs’ Alfredo Pozzi, was an ace, a master at dribbling the ball. During the Richieri school matches no one could stop him. We all envied him. One day he managed to dribble past two huge brutes from sixth grade. Can you imagine that? He left them standing in their tracks. A genius. And the touch of the ball that he had was…..incredible. But of course, later, when he grew up, he learned to appreciate the good life, eat well, drink well…and you know, when we start to get a little chubby, things get complicated.

Last Sunday we had a match at the club. Listen-up, I’ll tell you what happened and it gives me goose bumps. Bowleggs Pozzi was playing number 10 position, after about 15 minutes, it was a shame to watch him. For his first corner kick, I don’t what happened, but, in fact, he wanted to kick the ball.

He got ready, took a few steps and ….made one of those magical kicks. If he had touched the ball, it would have been playable, but his stomach caused him to lose balance and he took a huge swipe in the grass.

This week, I tried calling every day, but didn’t get an answer…I don’t know, he must have left on a trip.

FO 85516 - 17 x 17 x 37 cm (LWH)

The cup, of which he dreamed holding in his hand for so many times, became a reality. Neither the sprain in his shoulder blade, nor the horrible tendonitis in his left arm could keep the tenacious Gustavo Lanzaro from raising up high the trophy that he had just won. The ‘missiles’ at 249 km/h which his opponent was firing managed to break 4 rackets, but not his moral courage.

His coach, the famous Spaniard Pepe Galleta, inspired by the renown ‘Serrano’ ham, made him follow a strict diet of only and exclusively acorns for the period of one year. The hard months of training were terrible, but compared to such an excellent victory, the sacrifice seemed justified.

The only unpleasant thing was the beastly bad breath which wouldn’t go away and the pronounced aversion for the Iberico ham.

FO 85511 - 20 x 17 x 44 cm (LWH)

After having watched during his entire childhood ‘The Lucille Ball Show’, Pipo Saulle, became a television addict. He watches every series and soap opera that is shown. In his eyes, the remote control is the best invention since the tele. He doesn’t stop channel surfing a single instant and he knows all the showbiz gossip.

He knows the advertisements by heart and can guess the brand of a product even before it appears on the screen; at this game, he is unbeatable. When he wins, he raises his arms to the sky, makes the V for victory sign and yells while circling the coffee table “I won, I won.”

His other passion is popcorn and hamburgers which he chasses down with enormous gulps of ice cold beer. My God! Life is good! If he didn’t have to work, he would have the impression of being in paradise.

FO 85506 - 38 x 23 x 20 cm (LWH)

The coolness of the shade beneath the willow was an invitation to relax. It was nap time. The scent of lavender and wild flower permeated the air. In the distance, one could hear the cicadas singing. The calm water reflected the flight of two swallows in a splendid blue sky.

The end of the afternoon was approaching and Daniel was still sitting calmly, watching the little cork bobbing to the peaceful rhythm of the ripples on the water. It had been a while since he had had a nibble, but to be honest, at this spot, it was unusual for something to nibble.

But no matter. Daniel has been coming to this idyllic spot every summer for the last 10 years and, for nothing in the world, would he give up the extraordinary pleasure that provides the best of sports…fishing.

FO 85503 - 35 x 18 x 25 cm (LWH)