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When Avram still wore sneakers and a tracksuit By Eitan Bekerman In our neighborhood at the end of the 1970s we liked to play soccer, but we didn't have the facilities. After a bitter fight we finally got permission to operate floodlights at night on our asphalt court. Notions of wide pitches, of clubs and leagues, were mere fantasies, but one day, out of the blue, someone decided that the primary school kids would get a coach. He would come twice a week, maybe three times, and teach them fundamentals. Nice, right? Advertisement Being nice kids, we would clear the court for the smaller kids before the class, so they could get some kicks in, and we would go to the basketball court beside it. The court was at the edge ificial hills of sand intended to separate it from the main road beyond. One day, at the foot of the hill appeared a man in his twenties, his origins unclear, bear-like in appearance and slipping here and there in the sand. He sported tennis shoes and a gleaming track-suit, and a whistle hung around his neck. Here was a coach. A young guy doing some moonlighting seemed to us a reasonable scenario. But what most excited us was his folder - that is, his stack of folders. Under his right arm, this coach was grasping piles of tactical material, sketches and diagrams, intended for this dirty dozen lacking even a name for itself. Somehow, after only a few warm-up drills, those same runts were transformed into the living, panting embodiments of Coach's diagrams, bobbing between positions, weaving among cones, hitting marks as if they were Liverpool blazing toward another cup. If my memory serves me, a special emphasis was placed on defense. Once or twice he even got a little excited while watching us. Yesterday Avram took his team to the the Champions League final. What can I say? The king. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.

Read & React Poll: More Israelis against returning Golan than dividing Jerusalem Responses: 166 Olmert to Haaretz: Syria contacts are 'historic breakthrough' Responses: 71 Editorial: Spin or no spin, Olmert must continue Syria talks Responses: 52 Shmuel Rosner: Will Bush attack Iran or won't he? Responses: 55 Suicide bomber blows up truck at Gaza crossing Responses: 128 More Headlines 01:54 West backs Lebanese government's capitulation to Hezbollah 03:09 Olmert questioning Friday to focus on Messer's testimony 01:35 Israeli Arab driver critically hurt by guard at W. Bank settlement 01:50 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected president 20:54 Sources: Israel never pledged full withdrawal from Golan 23:41 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' comment 02:19 Blast at Erez crossing thought to be part of botched abduction bid 00:59 Pelosi denies Olmert proposed U.S. naval blockade against Iran 22:57 Argentine prosecutor: Arrest Menem for obstructing Jewish center bomb probe 00:10 Hamas: No truce unless Israel lifts siege of Gaza Strip Previous Editions Select Day 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may

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