Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness

Regular readers will scarcely be flabbergasted to learn that I welcome Barack Obama’s decision to scrap a controversial missile shield in central and eastern Europe. A great deal of hysterical nonsense has been written to accompany the decision, which has been presented as capitulation to Vladimir Putin, or abandonment of plucky allies, only recently freed from Russia’s yoke. All of which rather undermines the contention that the shield, which was to include bases in Poland and the Czech Republic, was designed to prevent aggression from Iran and should not concern the Kremlin. The original scheme was endorsed by three discredited governments, in Washington, Warsaw and Prague respectively. Despite the ‘abandoned friends’ narrative, the intention to park missile silos and radar installations on Polish and Czech territory was unpopular amongst the wider population. Now the realist approach to foreign policy is more accurately reflected in government. It is no accident that comment...

The Humble Economist has made my day by posting on the topic of the Polish Beer Lovers’ Party (PPPP) . The group was formed in the early nineties, by the satirist Janusz Rewinski, with the declared aim of encouraging Poles to drink beer rather than vodka. It won 16 seats in the 1991 election and although it has since dissolved, its former members can take heart from the buoyant state of the Polish beer industry. Ironically, given the perception that many of Britain’s health problems are fuelled by a fondness for beer, in much of northern and eastern Europe its consumption is viewed as a healthy life choice. Three Thousand Versts’ medical team confirms that vodka drinking is statistically more likely to result in alcoholism and it is more probable that the spirit will contribute to digestive problems, due to its acidity. In Russia, Ukraine, and indeed Poland, beer is popular amongst young people and ‘beerhalls’ have become trendy venues. Admittedly, it is also drunk throughout the ...

Northern Ireland produced a battling performance last night and held on for a draw in Chorzow. But Worthington’s men will regard ruefully two moments when Burnley striker, Martin Paterson might have helped clinch victory. I cannot criticise the team which secured an unexpected point, but when the final group standings are assessed in mid October, it might not prove enough. It was frustrating to concede an equaliser just ten minutes before the final whistle, but in all honesty, with Poland camped in our half since the indomitable Lafferty’s 37th minute goal had put Northern Ireland into a shock lead, there was an air of inevitability to what happened. Up until the Rangers’ forward netted, the men in green, in my opinion, had create the better chances. It was ironic that going ahead actually encouraged our players to temper a pressing game which had hitherto proved successful. Davis, who was impressive, out of position, in the first half, was largely anonymous during the second. C...

One of the most galling experiences which can befall a Green and White foot soldier is to witness the rest of the Army mobilise, whilst he prepares to stay at home. Such is my fate this weekend, as Northern Ireland fans, including O’Neill , travel to Chorzow in numbers. Poland provides the World Cup opposition on Saturday evening. The military metaphor is well established, but I sincerely hope that supporters, eager only to watch their team and enjoy a fun holiday, see no ‘action’. I’m confident that Polish and British authorities alike, in concert with fans’ groups, have put together sufficient safeguards to ensure that everyone returns home safely and without major incident. Although I will witness this game only on television, it represents merely the first of a triumvirate of crucial matches which face Nigel Worthington and his team. Next Wednesday Northern Ireland takes on group leaders Slovakia, at Windsor Park, in a game which it is vital that we win. Although an improbabl...

If you cannot bear to read Vladimir Putin’s Gazeta Wyborcza article, marking the 70th anniversary of Poland’s invasion by the Nazis, in patchy translation, the BBC website carries a selective synopsis of its contents. The Russian prime minister, as the report intimates, offers unequivocal condemnation of the ‘Non Aggression Pact’ which foreshadowed the occupation of Poland by German and Soviet forces, calling it ‘immoral’. However he is also quick to draw comparison with the 1938 Munich Treaty, which saw Britain and France attempt to appease Hitler at the expense of Czechoslovakia. Despite its eccentric English, in order to get a sense of the tenor of Putin’s critique, I’d recommend reading the translation which the PM’s website provides. The 'Putinite regime' is commonly portrayed as if it were intent on overseeing Stalin’s rehabilitation, often with the implied aim of entrenching its own, purportedly authoritarian, project. As this weblog has consistently argued, the tr...

Fewer than thirty hours remain until Northern Ireland faces Poland at Windsor Park and still ‘Three Thousand Versts’ has not recorded its habitual pre-match lament of pessimism ‘assessing’ the team’s chances (or lack of them)! Do not fear, it’s not that I’ve been filled with overwhelming confidence for this World Cup clash. On the contrary, I’m quite sure that Nigel Worthington’s side will receive another walloping from the Poles tomorrow. Slovenia on Wednesday should be a different matter, but by then our hopes of qualifying for South Africa 2010 could be dead in the water. If it were not enough that Poland fields a strong team which recorded a resounding 3-0 victory during its last visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland’s task has been made yet more difficult by the absence of a number of key players . The squad has been depleted both by injury and by costly suspensions incurred in the match against San Marino. A comfortable victory in that game may have put Northern Ireland joint s...

A few words about a rather lacklustre first weekend in the European Championships. Nigel Worthington should be a relatively happy man after he watched two matches featuring forthcoming opponents and neither proved particularly awe-inspiring. The Czechs at least managed to win their match against a Swiss side which should really have gained something from a dreary spectacle. Poland produced neater football at times, in a 2-0 defeat to Germany, but were easily outclassed in the end and carried little goal threat. I must confess that despite Czech Republic vs. Switzerland being the first match of the Championship, I did pick up a book and merely half-watched the game throughout most of the second half, it was so bereft of excitement. From the moments I did watch though, the Czechs produced an oddly incoherent performance, with Jan Koller stranded on his own up front and proving ineffective. They desperately needed a player with enough craft and thrust to provide a threat from midfie...