“YOU COULDN’T BE more wrong,” came the response.
The question was whether the Estonian language is any way related to Russian. And the answer was laced with disdain.
Mikhal, the Estonian national team’s PR officer, then explained exactly why.
“It’s very close to Finnish. That would be like me asking you whether the Irish language is related to English.”
And Mikhal would know. He speaks six languages. And, like many people from recently independent nations, he’s fiercely patriotic. Indeed, when Estonia first re-established their national side in the early ’90s, there was a big enough debate about whether the 30% of the population who were ethnically Russian should even be considered.
Certainly, such revelations were in-keeping with a day in which we came to know Tallinn quite well. The question itself came to while away an idle moment before their manager Tarmo Ruutli got his press conference under way. And from there, in the north-west of the city, it was down to the south-east to take in Trapattoni’s. Take in a jaunt through the Old Town and we’ve seen quite a lot of a relatively small city in just 24 hours.
The Estonians, however, are arguably even prouder of their capital city than they are nationalistic. Indeed, their press conference was bookmarked by two local ladies plugging the ‘keep it clean’ campaign. It’s a national initiative which they’re hoping to spread internationally and, without doubt, Tallinn is one of the most spotless cities you’re ever likely to set foot in.
It remains to be seen whether that will be the same on Friday night, however. Because, in a country where football was initially viewed with some suspicion due to its supposedly Soviet connections, the Estonians are absolutely captivated by this play-off.
There’s wall-to-wall coverage in the media, every taxi driver talking about it… and that’s despite many admitting they don’t usually care about the game. There’s even talk of setting up a fanzone in the Old Town square in order to celebrate the occasion.
Indeed, it’s for that reason that a lot of Irish fans coming over ticketless might find themselves out of luck. Entry to this game is just as prized by the locals… well, almost.
The local rumour mill – and a fair degree of anecdotal evidence – has claimed that tickets are being offered to Estonian fans for €50 but Irish fans for €100.
That would itself reflect a general rise in prices across the city.
Other than alcohol (it admirably remains about €2 a pint) and taxis, Tallinn has become much more expensive over the last few years. Indeed, many locals are complaining that they fear it’s driving tourists away… while not exactly keeping the same pace as their rise in wages.
Against Ireland, however, the hope is that it doesn’t correspond with a rise in their national team’s fortunes as well.
I say this without jest, but it must be difficult to be humble when you’re only a short time from having your statue placed in Lansdowne Rd.
Yes you were a team player Brian. And you always made us feel like we were on that team too. A gent. Enjoy your retirement.
He Sounds a bit needy to me ..
I want / i want .
Wouldn’t it actually be cool if Ireland won the Championship in Paris at the very stadium where he made his name? It really is one of those stories, that the book of Brian opened in Paris, so shall it close in Paris.
What a player! :’)
Love this script
He might not be sentimental but I am.
I hope every man, woman and child gives him a send off to remember on Saturday.
He deserves it.
I think I’m going to avoid all rugby media between now and the end of the 6N. All these “Bye Bye Bod” stories are making me sad… :(
It’ll be a bit sad before and after the match on Saturday but there will be zero sentiment during the game, especially from the legend himself. I’m sure he’ll give everything to the cause as he has done throughout his brilliant career. Right up there with the greats in rugby worldwide. Good luck in the future BOD
Got my tickets for Saturday bitter,sweet seeing his last game there, he has given me best sporting memories of my life. Hope we win and send him to Paris with a chance of the championship. Thanks BOD
A true Irish Legend. And he’s not even from Cork!! ;) Thanks for the memories Brian.
The greatest irish sports star of all time.
He was not such a team player when he stopped in the georgia world cup game to roar at stringer for a bad pass.
Still a great player though.
nobody saying the man is perfect ted. that was out of frustration, the team went in talking of winning the world cup and played rubbish the whole competition
In his whole time with Ireland that’s the best you can do ted?
Sad ted sad.
Don’t worry you won’t have to watch him much longer, two more games for Ireland and a few for Leinster that’s all.
I’ll tell you one thing ted he’ll pick up another medal at least before then so if I was you I’d find a desert island somewhere and get stranded until June because this will torment you. L
I wonder which part of Ireland ted hails from?petty little man
I couldn’t possibly guess even!
As i said bod is a great player. One of the best irish players of all time.
However he was guilty one of the least teamplayer (?) acts I have seen from any Irish player in an Irish jersey.
I just found it ironic that he used that description.
It was seven years ago. And over the course of the fifteen years he has saved ireland many times.
Ted do you think he should’ve clapped stringer on the back told him don’t worry about it it’s only a game.but try not to do it again old chap?
Possibly he could have tried to chase down the georgian before he scored he try.
He could even have been a team player and accepted that everyone makes mistakes and that his experienced team mate would have been far more pissed off with the mistake.
Bod has always given his all for Ireland. And I would defend him on his talent, his dedication, his daft ability to put his body on the line and just about every other aspect of his career.
But for me, his teamwork will always be tainted for roaring at and blaming a teammate while an opponent ran in a try.
Ted let it go buddy it was a long time ago
No idea whether he was a team player or not, kind of difficult to tell as a spectator. He went through a string of piss poor performances during the tubby Glenda years, was never ever pulled up by his teammates for the many flicks & kicks to nowhere (Schmidt only touched on that recently) but first onto his teammates if opposite occurs. someone with his gravitas & authority within the game can damage any team ethic, especially when off-form in his own right. Still the greatest of this generation, but clearly acutely aware of it too…
Pretty much exactly what he should’ve done
Without a doubt our greatest sportsman ever. Thanks for all the memories and best of luck for the future! (He might read this).
In the 13th minute #onemoreyear again!
Time to move on.
You will be remembered as a genius, tough shit!!!!
Looking forward to him excelling in his last 2 matches, hope he runs in a hat trick in Paris :)
A sporting legend and a gent….great combination! Enjoy your retirement it’s well deserved.
National Treasure
Terrible movie
And YOU WILL be
And thats all he was, no one man is bigger than the team
A national hero and treasure, there are not enough plaudits for you sir