There had been gloomy predictions that Spain’s global soccer ascendancy might be coming to an end, but Tuesday evening’s victory over France was solid if not stellar. Coach Vicente Del Bosque, in characteristically imperturbable fashion, said the win “helps support the conviction we have in our ideas.” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy would no doubt love to bask in the same warm glow of vindication, but this week’s economic data suggest he has as much chance of doing that as Scotland have of going to Rio de Janeiro next summer. Perhaps the most surprising (and dispiriting) thing about the latest batch of figures is that they are no longer very surprising. There was more resignation than … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: Management lessons
Archives for March 2013
Tales for Tapas: Capital games
There are arguments for and against holding the Olympic Games in Madrid in 2020. During its four-day visit this week, a nine-member International Olympic Committee inspection team was regaled mostly with arguments for (though a Madrid Metro strike and an anti-Games demonstration helped make the case against). The positive arguments are persuasive. The nearly €2.5 billion required to run the Games will be paid for entirely from ticket sales and sponsorship (with the cheapest tickets to be kept under €40). The €1.67 billion budgeted for additional operating costs and infrastructure will be divided among the central government, the Madrid region and the city, representing, as Madrid Mayor … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: Capital games
Lisbon’s multimedia maestro Eduardo Nery
With its long history of azulejaria, or tilework, and decorative calçada, it could be argued that Lisbon’s soul is illustrated along its walls and cobblestones. One of its best known illustrators was multimedia artist Eduardo Nery, who died in Lisbon on March 2, aged 74. With a writer mother and engineer father, Nery was born in Figueira da Foz and grew up in Lisbon. He attended the Escola Superior de Belas Artes de Lisboa, majoring in painting and also studying architecture and museum conservation. He worked with French tapestry artist Jean Lurçat at Saint-Céré during the 1960s and Nery’s diverse education is reflected in a career that combined photography, painting, glasswork, … [Read more...] about Lisbon’s multimedia maestro Eduardo Nery
La Liga: Real Sociedad scale the heights
In 2002, Real Sociedad were runners up in La Liga, chasing Real Madrid until the penultimate week of the season when a loss 3-2 loss away to Celta Vigo effectively put an end to their title hopes. There has not been much to shout about since, with the Basque side spending several years in the second division. But as the table currently stands, Philippe Montanier’s men have found themselves in a coveted Champions League spot with their latest victory, a 4-1 drubbing of Real Valladolid on Saturday. Though they started brightly, it wasn't until just after the half-hour mark that La Real took the lead when Antoine Griezmann lashed a strike into the bottom corner. Six minutes later, Imanol … [Read more...] about La Liga: Real Sociedad scale the heights
The fight for a fairer evictions law
An estimated 400,000 evictions have taken place across Spain since 2008. With one of the world's toughest mortgage laws, foreclosures are a much bigger problem in Spain than in other countries that have been suffering the ongoing economic crisis. The grassroots activists of the Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca (PAH) have been campaigning for a major change to this law, to redress the balance of power between banks and struggling homeowners. In this recent video, activists call on the governing Partido Popular (PP) to introduce that change and accept proposals in their Initiativa Legislativa Popular (ILP), a motion backed by 1.5 million signatories that includes the cancellation of … [Read more...] about The fight for a fairer evictions law
Almodóvar’s low-cost comedy fails to raise a laugh
What a shame Pedro Almodóvar’s latest flight of fancy wasn’t cancelled. Los amantes pasajeros (English title I'm So Excited) is an overlong, largely mirthless affair mostly set aboard a plane bound for Mexico City, but which we soon learn is in fact circling above Toledo because its landing gear has been screwed up by absent-minded ground staff Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas. Once purser Javier Cámara (who, as we are reminded on several occasions, cannot lie) reveals the awful truth, the prospect of imminent death prompts an outpouring of secrets from the crew and half-a-dozen business-class passengers, all of whom are straight from Almodóvar central casting: the three cabin crew are, … [Read more...] about Almodóvar’s low-cost comedy fails to raise a laugh
Tensions high ahead of Galician derby
The Galician derby between Deportivo la Coruna and Celta Vigo is usually one of La Liga’s most emotive occasions. Friday’s clash at Riazor should continue this tradition, for better or worse. A decade ago the game was a meeting of two of Spain’s top sides, with players like Mauro Silva, Alexander Mostovoi, Juan Carlos Valerón, Fran and Mazinho on show. Times have changed though. This year’s Riazor derby is the first in Primera Division for six seasons. Next season’s is likely to take place in La Segunda, as Depor are currently 20th in the table, Celta 19th, and both on the slide. Depor are really in trouble. Current coach Fernando Vázquez is their third boss this season, and he has … [Read more...] about Tensions high ahead of Galician derby
Tales for Tapas: Compromise in the air
Significant progress this week in resolving the Iberia airlines dispute after the compromise package put forward by government-appointed mediator Gregorio Tudela was accepted by Iberia’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), and by most of the unions. Clearly, a solution is good news for travellers – Iberia’s troubles have had a knock-on effect with major airport disruptions and thousands of flights cancelled during stoppages in February and earlier this month; more strikes had been scheduled in the coming weeks in the absence of a settlement. It will also come as a relief to IAG, which claims to have been losing €3 million for each day of strike action, compounding … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: Compromise in the air
The Chávez trap
It is January 2003, I'm in the Ecuadorian capital Quito, and my arm is aching. I am holding a tape recorder up to Hugo Chávez’s mouth and he won’t stop talking. Chávez is in town to attend the swearing-in of Ecuador’s new president, Lucio Gutiérrez, a man many expect to pursue the same radical leftist path as the Venezuelan leader (although, as it turns out, he doesn’t). Other Latin American leaders have come to Quito, but Chávez is by far the biggest draw. I am part of a scrum of journalists who surround him as he strides into the lobby of a smart hotel, smiling and sure of his own magnetism. I’m standing behind him, slightly to one side and I’d like to rest my arm by placing the tape … [Read more...] about The Chávez trap
La Liga: Simeone’s extended stay lifts Atlético
The week may have ended on a sour note with a loss at the Vicente Calderón, but Atlético Madrid still have reason to smile with news that coach Diego Simeone has extended his contract at the club. Arda Turan, Cristian Rodríguez and Koke all tested their luck in the opening stages against Real Sociedad with long-range strikes from the edge of the area but failed to threaten the visitors’ goal. The hosts improved after the break but eight minutes after the restart, the Basque side took the lead with a swift counterattack that saw Antoine Griezmann pump the ball up the pitch for Xabi Prieto to run on to. The forward – who was in an offside position – ran into the box unchallenged and … [Read more...] about La Liga: Simeone’s extended stay lifts Atlético