Obviously, we're aware that the girl from Ipanema went to Greenland. Now the good people of that island (the world's largest, dontchaknow) are hoping to head back this direction. The island's football association, KAK (I don't know, either), applied for membership in CONCACAF, hoping to find a place to compete. The Danish territory would prefer to play in UEFA, but that federation's rules limit access to sovereign nations, leaving Greenland on the outside looking in.
Greenland would not be our region's smallest nation, surpassing both Monserrat and Anguilla, among others. I'm all for it, if only to see the US men and women compete in this spectacular setting:
Way back in the 19-oughts, a fellow named Fred Merkle made a notorious baserunning era to cost his New York Giants a win over the Chicago Cubs. The loss ultimately cost the Giants the National League pennant and the rookie's mistake was forever known as Merkle's Boner. The meaning of words may change from time to time.
Last week, in the ultimate match of the chess world championships, China's Ding Liren made a beginner's mistake against Indian prodigy Giresh Dommaraju, which cost him the defense of his world title. Said Ding, "I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder." It took Dommaraju a moment to realize his good fortune, though the announcers caught it right away:
The final moments of the #DingGukesh World Championship Match in 11 Languages! ♟️ pic.twitter.com/U9stJrrzPi
— Chess.com (@chesscom) December 12, 2024
Didn't think we'd see Ding's Boner, but here we are.
In less agony of defeatish and far more whimsical news, we were thrilled to see the new design for the trophy awarded to the winner of the Pop Tart Bowl. Miami and Iowa State square off on December 28 in Orlando for a trophy that features a fully operational toaster optimized for Pop Tarts.
You'd better believe the Teej has ordered one of these for his abode.
And finally, let it be told that Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is a both a mensch and a tremendous giver of gifts. The 8th-year pro out of Northwestern gave each of his teammates a replica of their high school football jerseys for Christmas. That alone is a really thoughtful and cool gesture. As a bonus Easter egg for me, the jersey Da'shawn Hand receives early in the video below (green and gold with a W at the top of the shirt is none other than the kit of the Woodbridge Senior High School Mighty Vikings from Woodbridge, VA, your boy's alma mater. Best high school east of the Mississippi, according to our principal.
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