The Battle of Nuremberg

[oranje_windmill]

Who: Willem and Afonso
When: Sunday, February 06, during the superbowl
Where: The Winchester
What: A Dutch bartender and a Portuguese journalist commiserate over a distaste for American sports.

Comments

Translations are all mouseover'd :'D

[foundtheindies]

Sitting at the bar was one exhausted Afonso Silva, his chin in his hand and a glass of wine in front of him. It had been a long, difficult day today--moving, visiting Antonio, working--and he felt like this was the first chance he'd had to properly sit down and relax.

If it wasn't for all of the screaming Americans in the room, that was. "Pelo amor de Deus..."

Looking up at the tv and squinting, he sipped from his wine and looked at the bartender, a man around his age. "I didn't realize standing still for long periods of time counted as a sport. I am sorely undereducated in American sports; this is the...Super Bowl?"

American football. Ugh.

[oranje_windmill]

Willem eyed the man who had spoken as he grabbed a glass and began building a Guinness.

“It is in America, apparently. Although I will never understand the popularity.”

He finished the Guinness and passed it and a bottle of Samuel Adams into waiting hands, taking money in return.

“Moves way too slow."

[foundtheindies]

"It's probably because they need time to get up and get snacks." Afonso snorted, sipping from his wine and watching the screen idly. "It's a shame, really! I'm sure my football players from home could run them up and down the field, and without any pads. They don't even use their feet! I'm glad someone here understands me."

[oranje_windmill]

Since Willem had started working at the Winchester, he had been considered the person who “really understood them” by at least 15 people. Although if he was reading the man right, this one had a point.

“By your players I’m assuming you mean those who play real football.”

He turned to face a man who leaned against the bar near them.

“And before you say soccer remember I have final say on when you’ve had enough.”

His serious tone was belied by the slight smirk on his lips. The man took no offense, merely chuckling over what was obviously a long standing joke as he accepted a pitcher from Willem and made his way back to his friend’s table.

[foundtheindies]

Afonso leaned forward on the bar counter, smiling. He hadn't been expecting to find someone who agreed with him, especially not on Super Bowl Sunday. "Of course. This is called futebol americano back in Lisboa--it's not nearly as popular, but there's an obvious reason for that. So, may I assume that you're foreign, as well? If not, then I consider myself lucky to meet an American who appreciates real sports."

Well, he wasn't a journalist for nothing. Always asking questions.

[oranje_windmill]

Willem took the opportunity of having a free moment to star wiping down some glasses.

“I’m Dutch, although I also play.”

He put a glass in its space, grabbed another.

“You?”

[foundtheindies]

"Portuguese. I used to play in college, but...well, I'm long out of that." Afonso laughed and sipped from his wine, gesturing at him. For some reason, Dutch set off an alarm in the back of his head--like there was something he should remember to do with football. Something.

Shaking his head--it was probably nothing--Afonso offered a grin. "You guys did great in the World Cup. I was pulling for your team. Anyone but the Spanish could have won, really, and I would have been happy."

[oranje_windmill]

Willem scowled a bit.

“We should have had it. I couldn’t believe it when Iniesta scored.”

He also hadn’t been able to believe how many fouls the Oranje had racked up over the game, but the sting of watching them set a record of losses in world cup finals was enough to make him not admit to that.

[foundtheindies]

"Oh, I know, trust me. My brother called me just to squeal in my ear about it." Antonio's enthusiasm was usually contagious, but that day he'd just hung up on him. Not cool. "It was worse when the Selecção lost, but that's to be expected. I tell you, we should have won that game. That red card on Costa was completely uncalled for."

Afonso let out a wistful little sigh, "If that game had been fair, I bet we could have taken it all the way."

[oranje_windmill]

Willem shook his head.

“That was a horrible call. I never saw any contact except between Capdevila and the ground.”

He paused for a second to turn to a couple of customers who had approached the bar. He exchanged two bottles of beer for money, and then turned back towards the man at the bar.

“Portugal did play well though. They had an amazing defense.”

[foundtheindies]

Afonso grinned and tipped his glass at that, taking a sip. "I think we could have won the whole thing. Beaten anyone! We just got so unlucky in that game."

Which they did! Really. Whether he was accidentally offending the fan of the other team? He wasn't really sure about.

[oranje_windmill]

Willem smirked at the man sitting at the bar.

“Not all the way. The Portuguese team was good, but the Oranje are called Clockwork Orange for a reason. With our midfielders being who they were and players like Van Persie among our strikers, we still would have given you more than a run for your money.”

He took a moment to pour another pitcher of beer for a customer, and then turned back to the other man.

“Personally, I think the Oranje would win.”