F. Sure, we are.

G. Yes, but what am I to do with these tickets? What about ringing up —?

T. Hello, you two.

F. Why, it’s you Tom!

G. Talk of the devil and he is sure to come. What are you doing this evening, Tom?

T. I?

G. You, of course, I have two tickets for a dance. Do you want them?

T. Well, but are you quite sure you don’t want the tickets yourself? G. Want them! If you can go there for me, you are my best friend. T. And you, Fred?

F. If you go there for me, well, you’ll be my bosom friend forever, Tom.

T. Indeed? Well, it’s worth while to have two good friends. Where are the tickets?

G. Here you are. It’s at the Ritz.

T. Thank you.

XII. Sport

1.      FOOTBALL

The Football Match Between England and Austria

England:2 — Austria:2

England won the toss and the Austrians kicked off into the sun¹. Two free kicks were given against England in the first two minutes, and the English defence cleared them well.

After 15 minutes’ play the Austrian centre-forward, Buzek, broke away on the left and McDonald, the goalkeeper, did well to tip a fierce drive over the bar.

A minute later the Austrians opened the scoring with a magnificent goal, which McDonald had no chance of saving.

Left-half Koller, getting possession about 25 yards out, put in a dynamic drive which sped like a bullet into the top right-hand comer of the goal.

The English forwards pressed continuously, but to no avail. In the 28th minute Douglas shot weakly from close in², while at the other end Buzek lost a great chance of making it two for Austria by shooting inches wide of the uprights³ from close range.

Three minutes later Haynes had a wonderful chance to equalize, but he was hesitant and was robbed. After 35 minutes’ play the English attack had five or six chances of equalizing, but their shooting was wild⁴.

England continued to do well in midfield, but the forwards were completely inept. Two minutes from the interval Robson was dispossessed by the goalkeeper only feet away from the goalmouth.

There was a concluding thrill when goalscorer Koller again put in a blinding shot from well out⁵ but this time he was inches wide of the upright.

England were all over Austria on the resumption, but they just could not get in a good scoring shot. Twelve minutes after the interval, however, England equalized with a rather lucky goal. It was J. Haynes, who from two yards out⁶ put the ball in the back of the net.

England continued to dominate the play, but by wild and weak shooting in front of the goal they failed to press home their advantage⁷.

In the 10th minute the Austrians went ahead with another goal from well out. Alfred Koerner, the inside-left, put in a stinging drive from nearly 25 yards out which hit the upright and glanced off into the net to put Austria ahead 2 = 1.

Almost from the restart England netted⁸ again, Robson scoring from just inside the penalty area. From the Press stand⁹ it looked a perfectly good goal, but the referee ruled it no goal¹⁰ presumably for hands.

Four minutes later Kevan equalized, rushing the ball through from close in from a pass by Haynes.

Both sides fought hard for the winning goal^{1 11}, but neither goal­keeper was seriously troubled in the closing stages and the game ended in a stalemate¹².

From “Daily Worker"

Vocabulary Notes

¹ to kick off into the sun — начинать игру против солнца

² from close in — с близкой дистанции

³ inches wide of the upright — в нескольких дюймах от штанги

⁴ wild — неточный

⁵ well out — с значительного расстояния от ворот

⁶ two yards out — два ярда от ворот

⁷      to press home their advantage — использовать свое преимуще­ство

⁸      to net — забить гол

⁹      Press stand — трибуна прессы

¹⁰      to rule it no goal — не засчитать гол

¹¹      winning goal — выигрышный гол

¹²      stalemate — ничья

2.      ON THE TRACK

In the most fantastic mile race ever run, N., the 20-year-old wonder, smashed the world record in 3 min. 54.5 sec.

From the start the pace was extremely hot and M., who had made a particulary smart beginning, completed the first quarter in 56 seconds. M. also led at the half-mile mark, but N. set about the task of overhauling M., and on the third lap moved up. He and M. increased the pace and the rest of the field began to tail off¹.

As they went into the last lap, N. came up with M. It was on the final bend² that N. made a tremendous effort and shot into the lead putting himself some yards ahead of M.

With about 50 yards to go³ N. brought the cheering crowd to its feet as he stretched his lead over M., and reached the tape in 3 min. 54.5 sec.

N. was rather tired after his effort. However, despite his tremendous performance, he still had enough energy to do a lap of honour⁴ in front of the cheering crowd. Before he stepped up the rostrum⁵ he was garlanded with a laurel wreath⁶.

Vocabulary Notes

¹      to tail off — отставать

²      final bend — последний поворот

³      with 50 yards to go — за 50 ярдов до финиша

⁴      lap of honour — круг почета

⁵      rostrum — пьедестал

⁶      to be garlanded with a laurel wreath — быть увенчанным лавровым венком

3.      ON THE ICE

(Peter and his sister, Ann, have come to the skating-rink where they happen to meet their friend, Paul.)

PETER. Well, Ann, have you put on your skates?

ANN. Yes, I have. I say, Peter, isn’t that Paul over there?

PETER. It is, indeed. Hey, Paul!

PAUL (Coming over.) Why, hello, Peter! Oh, that’s you, Ann? How do you do?

ANN. How do you do, Paul? You come here frequently, I suppose, don’t you?

PAUL. Rather. Skating is my hobby, don’t you know?

PETER. Say, Paul, is the ice good?

PAUL. Not very. A bit soft.

PETER. Well, let’s go. Come on, Ann.

ANN. Oh, my, I can’t stand on my feet!

PAUL. But can’t you skate, Ann?

ANN. I? Why, this is the first time I’m ever on skates! Peter has promised to teach me.

PETER. So I have. But Paul is (by far) a more experienced skater than I. Couldn’t you possibly give her a hint, Paul, how to learn the trick.

PAUL. With the greatest pleasure. Well, Ann, hold on to my arm. Now, let’s go on the ice.

{On the ice.)

ANN. My, how slippery it is! I’m afraid to lift my foot.

PAUL. Don’t get worried. Give me your hand, please. Now, bring out your right foot the way I do it. That’s it. Now your left. ANN. Oh, I’m losing my balance!

PAUL. Steady, Ann. Now, let’s try it again.

ANN. I look like a baby, trying to walk, don’t I?

PETER. You do, indeed. Well, I’m off for a run. Good luck to you, Annie.

{After some time.)

PETER. Well, how are you getting on, Annie?

PAUL. Oh, she’s doing fine. {To Ann.) You are tired, aren’t you?

ANN. Rather. Let’s sit down on this bench for a while.

PETER. I say, Paul, are you good at figure cutting?

PAUL. Well, there is nothing to boast about.

ANN. Oh, do show us how you skate, Paul.

{Paul begins to cut figures on the ice.)

PETER. Well, Ann, how do you like it?

ANN. Oh, it’s lovely! He simply glides on the ice.

{Paul comes up to them.)

PETER. You did fine, Paul. You have mastered the technique rather well, I should say.