DeafLympics – Basket semis and finals, football final

DeafLympics are ending right now, I am just watching closing ceremony and will go to the roof of my dorm to see fireworks on Taipei 101 (this was the coolest thing I have seen so far:) ). But now a few words about sports I know and can rally comment on.
First – b-ball. Two semi-finals: USA vs. Greece and Israel vs. Lithuania.

First one was interesting, Greeks were leading for the most of the game. But suddenly they run out of ideas and motivation, they became slow and were making the easiest mistakes. And although US were struggling for the most of the game, they sweat out the victory. But the game might have gone both ways – Greeks lost on they own wish.

Israel vs. Lithuania: it is not even worth my time to write about that game. The only thing that is worth noticing is how Lithuania warms up. Especially with the 3 pointers:)

And this is almost the final score – I did not care to stay till the end:) but one photo says more than 1000 words:P

The Finals:

Woman’s final: Sweden vs. US. Very good game, pleasure for the spectators. The game was all the time on the edge, but US did not lead at any time. Still, I love bball on any level, and if chicks are playing so well, it becomes a must-see game:) and Swedish players were not only good – they were also cute:)

Guys final: Lithuania vs. USA. At the first glance it is clearly visible that American team is stronger, bigger and quicker. It also occurs to be much more aggressive – in defense, offence and in off-play confrontations.

First 5 minutes of the game are shocking – Haney, nr 9 US team (9 like MJ at the Olympics:) ) scores like crazy, every shot goes in. they lead 9 – 0 at the start. Lithuania seems scared, confused and cannot find a way to outplay their opponents. But when they calm down, “multiples triples” go in and it is a close game. For two and a half quarters.

In the middle of the third quarter US goes out with full-court press and Lithuanian team makes mistake after mistake. They struggle to keep the game close, but at the beginning of the last quarter everything is known – US will be the champs.

Still, their celebration is not as cool and positive as Swedish one.



Plus I believe that I enjoyed the female final more:)

Football



Final: Russia 2: 3 Ukraine. The first football game I have seen lie on a big stadium:) and I wish it was better. I guess that I should not expect a lot, I have already learned that on other sport and tournaments, but… Well, I saw the final. And that is cool:)

School is back!

Holidays are finally (and unfortunately) over. I got a bit lazy and I was not blogging, as there were some extra things to do during last few days (DeafLympics and stuff...:) ) School year (or academic year as you wish) is about to start. Well, not everyone is happy with that... but what you can do? At least my school looks cool:)

The plan for the week looks promising, 3 days of school 4 days of the weekend, that is, 4 days of studying Chinese:) and some extras - b-ball, kung fu, negotiations club, soccer, hip-hop class... I guess this will not be boring! :) but the schedule is going to be packed tightly, gonna be exhausted after week like that… But I did not come here on vacation, did I? :)

My building

First classes were cool, It is not like previous Polish students said – that they are boring, professors do not speak fluent English, that they are not creative. My first professor studied at the University in US (California if I recall correctly), speaks great English and his lecture was surprisingly interesting. We’ll see what next days will bring:)

The entrence

Main alley:)

Schools sport fields

Day and Night...

The song keeps bouncing in my head. Maybe because it is so popular in clubs here (and probably everywhere else), or it has catchy beat, or the lyrics kinda feel right. Or because I could not sleep day and night. One way or the other - this is the song.

DeafLympics – Basketball

Another day of Olympics and finally basketball game! Spain vs. Russia, can you ask for anything better… Well, about that:)

The final score – 110:102 – is reeeeealllly high, as for 40 minute game. One of the players scored 43 points, another had double-double, 21 points and around 11 assists. So where are the reasons to complaint?

Well, first of all, it seems that the taller you are the less prone to deafness you are. No disrespect to anyone, but the players were not to tall, 195 top – there were no dunks, high blocks or monstrous fights under the basket.

There was not much finesse, creativity, spectacular dribbles/passes/steals/shots. Although there were some. Still…

I did enjoy it:) Besides, who would not like to watch the game when Iglesias is playing?:)

When I finally adjusted my expectations to the reality, the game was really fun to watch. So now – a little recap and some photos:)

1st quarter: Shoot for shoot, points for points. Very high percentage on both sides, and many, many 3pointers:) final score – draw around 25.

2nd quarter: pretty much the same thing, although they start to miss more shots. Some calls made by the referees met strong disagreement from the spectators. The half ends with one spectacular 3 pointer made by Spaniard 3 seconds before the end of it. But that was not the end! Gucev, Russian player, who in the whole game scored 43 points (sic!) hit it from the mid-court right with the siren!!! He got a standing ovation and everyone expected exciting second half :)

3rd quarter: to everyone’s surprise, Russian team gets the lead and keeps it up until the end of the quarter. At one point, they lead with 10 points. You can see anger and confusion among Spaniards. Gucev continues his show.

4th quarter: this are Iglesias’s 10 minutes. He does whatever he wants – dribbles between defenders, shoots 3pointers, makes baskets with fouls. Spain is constantly reducing Russian lead, finally top it, and go further on. The 8-point lead does not show how close the game was and how both teas had to struggle at times.

Gucev (13) and Iglesias (7)

Some extra photos from the show:)

 

(almost) final scoreboard

  

Winners

 

Taipei basketball frog:)

Sleepless in Taipei...

Another sleepless night in this Asian city… I do not know what it is: it cannot be jet leg, cos’ if it was, I would get sleepy around 10 – 11 in the morning. Or maybe it is, as I really like to sleep during the day? But I always liked it, so this is not an explanation :P Anyway, I should have recovered from the jet leg after 10 days. This cannot be the parties, because we have not been to that many… If someone knows the explanation, just let me know:)

These are some photos I took from the roof just a few minutes ago, that is something like 5:02 :)

 

  

 

  

  

 

Nice. I Like:)

The dorm - some photos

Freshly renewd (I believe), the dorm makes a great impression on a newcomer. But due to the fact that there are many of them next to each other, one may can feel like in the blocks. Still, the cool thing is that all students live next to each other, and can visit without any problems. Before parties and other gatherings are also not a problem:) Here are some photos of the dorm itself.

 

The dorm from the front... Quite a lot of rooms, don't you think?:)

  

So that you will get to the right one:)

  

View on the main plaza from the top of the building.

  

The sterylic corridors...

  

And elevators with annoying bells:P

  

My little messy room...

  

And wooden, but comfortable (I have 2 mattress, co it is ok now;) ) bed 

And the most annoying thing - money eating machine... (you put the card in and, as long as there is money on it, you have electricity:) )

 

And some photos of the city - from the top of the building. First - before sunset...

  

  

I like this one:)

  

  

Taipei 101

And at night...

  

  

 

It does look preety amazing. I think I can have a crush on this city... :)