A TOUGH Two Days in the EuroBall Export Business

Thurs. & Fri., Feb. 26-27, 2026

Laurie has always been the perfect football coach's wife.

These last two days of helping me pack boxes of recently donated, used American football gear for shipment to Italy, France, Poland and Spain served as a perfect example.

In the last few days we have sent a total of eight boxes to Europe which is, believe me, no small effort.

Packing Techniques 101

If properly rolled up, you can fit three game jerseys or three game pants in a helmet for shipping.

The five boxes that we prepared

for shipping the last two days

They are seen on the patio of our local agent in Oxnard for Poland's Polonez Shipping Co.

Polonez is by far the cheapest method of sending big boxes overseas.

The tradeoff, you ask?

They are also the slowest taking six to eight weeks to arrive via land and sea only, no air planes involved.

Lets see what we've been up to . . .

Italy's Caserta Falcons

These Falcons will be receiving two of our boxes containing 50 jerseys and 50 pants.

France's Villeurbanne Falcons

Our old club ordered 54 jerseys that fit in one box.

Poland's Wrocław Panthers

One box only for this powerhouse organization containing 18 pants and 62 jerseys.

Spain's Tres Cantos Jabatos

This club, located in the suburbs of Madrid, will soon have 14 helmets, 45 jerseys, 53 pants, 20 dri-fit shirts and 20 dri-fit tights at their disposal coming in their three boxes.

Spain's Cantabria Bisons

The pride of the city of Santander will be the proud new owners of six helmets, 28 jerseys and 25 pants arriving in but a single box.

As I said, we've been busy!

It's a labor of love.

Laurie and I went to one of

the Sun games at Anaheim Stadium

We celebrated our third wedding anniversary at the Sun vs. the Hawaiians game in 1974. We were but two in a crowd of 32,018 rabid fans who watched the Sun win their home opener 38-31 in a World Football League game.

As I said, Laurie is a GREAT football coach's wife.

I loved the Sun uniforms, Magenta and Orange worked well together.

Cockwomble, cool word

More 2026 football schedules were released . . .

U.S.C Trojans

The Black Knights of the Hudson

Newbury Park H.S.

News from Italy abounds . . .

One . . .

. . . make that TWO more former

Varese Skorpions coaches now

with the Busto Arsizio Blue Storm

Opening Week in Italy's DI

Ferrara Aquile (0-0) at

Bologna Warriors (0-0)

Parma Panthers (0-0) at

Milano Rhinos (0-0)

Firenze Guelfi (0-0) at

Torino Giaguari (0-0)

Italian DII Schedule

Torino Reapers (1-0) at

Trento Thunders (1-0)

Catania Elephants (0-0) at

Padova Saints (0-0)

Go Elephants GO!

Milano Seamen (0-0) at

Albisola Pirates (0-1)

Busto Arsizio Blue Storms (0-1) at

Monza Daemons (0-0)

Italian Nine League/DIII

Formigine Honey Badgers (0-0) at

Massa White Tigers (0-0)

Lugano Rebels (0-0) at

Piacenza Wolverines (0-0)

Vicenza Hurricanes (0-1) at

Bologna Doves (0-0)

University of Washington

at #11 on this impressive list

Just another cockwomble speech in

The Week That Was

We need a vacation.

A Busy Few Days in the EuroBall Equipment Airlift

Mon.-Wed., February 23-25, 2026

An otherwise tranquil few days were spiced up by our efforts to help improve the lot of American football clubs overseas.

We start with an interesting tale from Lyon, France.

Our old club, the Villeurbanne Falcons,

is currently 6-0 on the season

The team's Offensive Coordinator and longtime friend of ours, Julien Urgenti, had informed me that the team had a game jersey problem.

Apparently, sometime during the season, the bag containing ALL of their white game jerseys mysteriously disappeared.

I sent Julien our current inventory of football equipment ready to ship and the Falcons decided on ordering . . .

. . . 54 of theses Under Armour jerseys

to use for the rest of this season as needed

Agoura H.S.'s blue and gold donated jerseys will pair interestingly with the Falcons' traditional bright maroon and silver. Haute American football couture to be sure!

Boxed and off to Lyon, France

went the jerseys

Laurie was happy that we were making a serious dent in our football inventory and that she could soon be reclaiming the garage for her beloved Blueberry II.

Unfortunately, while she was at the dentist, I got a text message from Doug Dagan at Newbury Park H.S.

Did I want to pick up some helmets for the EuroBall cause?

BUT OF COURSE!

It was only 29 helmets that now resided in our garage much to Laurie's surprise.

It's moments like this that make our marriage even stronger.

Now, to find a few clubs overseas to take these cumbersome helmets . . .

The Germany vs. Mexico

Old Timers Game is fast approaching

Current Spanish DI Standings

Remember, in European sports standings are listed in Won-Tied-Loss order.

Our favorite DI Spanish squad, the Gijón Mariners, still have four games left to finally break into the win column this season.

Spanish DI Games this weekend

These season records are in American Win-Loss-Tie order.

Western Conference Games

Gijón Mariners (0-3-1) at

Las Rozas Bleck Demons (3-0)

Osos Rivas (2-1-1) at

Zaragoza Hurricanes (1-2-1)

BYE: Coslada Camioneros (1-1-1)

Eastern Conference Games

Badalona Dracs (3-1) at

Mallorca Voltors (0-4)

L'Hospitalet Pioners (1-3) at

Valencia Firebats (2-1)

BYE: Terrassa Reds (3-0)

Saturday's Spanish DII Slate

Norte Conference Game

Torrelavega Berserkers (1-2) at

Valladolid Penguins (3-0)

Sur Conference Game

Canarias Canes (0-2) at

Sevilla Linces (0-2)

Sunday's Spanish DII Schedule

Sur Conference Game

Mairena Blue Devils (2-0) at

Jerez Jaguars (2-0)

Cataluña Conference Games

Barcelona Uroloki (1-1) at

Barcelona Búfals (0-3)

Barberà Rookies (2-1) at

Barcelona Pagesos (2-0)

Reus Imperials (2-0) at

Riudoms Rebels (1-2)

Locally, high schools are starting to announce their 2026 football schedules using sharp graphics.

Rio Mesa H.S

Megapower Pacifica H.S.

I like TCU's helmet decal

for their game in Dublin vs.

North Carolina

Switching sports . . .

What an AMAZING stat!

No he should not

BRILLIANT!

From now on, it's going to be "Taco Salad Tuesdays" for me.

Another Action Packed CYBA Bulls Game

Sat.-Sun., February 21-22, 2026

We begin with the final game of the Camarillo Youth Basketball Association (CYBA) season.

Jacob's Bulls club entered the game with a record of 1-3 in their fun and mostly competitive games.

Their opponents on this glorious Saturday were the Hornets whose record only Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is privy to, to the best of my knowledge.

Jacob was definitely NOT a

bundle of nerves before the game

Multi-tasking dribbling and

talking to a teammate

I wish we still had a Jump Ball at the

start of each Quarter like in days of yore

The Bulls first shot of the game

for an early 2-0 lead

As is his beloved role,

Jacob with a rebound

The Hornets liked taking shots

from three point range

They made some but missed a lot of their trifecta attempts, thank goodness.

Jacob defending and . . .

. . . then blocking a shot

Another rebound

Everyone scrambling for position

in case the Bulls' shot is errant

Get that shot OUT OF HERE!

A foul but it was fun attempting

yet another block

LOOSE BALL . . .

. . . way to track it down, Jacob

R-E-B-O-U-N-D,

Rebound That Basketball!

End of the First Quarter with

the Bulls in the lead, 8-4

Had the Bulls made half of the shots that they missed from within four feet of the basket, the lead would have been much larger.

The Hornets scoring would pick up in the Second Quarter.

Driving the lane

Lining up another three point shot . . .

. . . and draining it

Another Hornet shot from distance

Drive and Pass

Cutoff in the paint . . .

. . . finding an open Bull . . .

. . . and dishing it for an easy layup

A Bulls shot for three!

Battle under the boards

Blocked shot by Jacob

Another easy bucket for the Bulls

Rebound and going up for a shot

Hand checking happens

One final shot of the Quarter

Halftime saw the Bulls holding

on to the narrowest of leads, 15-14

The Bulls still lead but I, for one, felt uncomfortable as the Hornets' three point shooting came alive in the Second Quarter.

One good look at the bucket . . .

. . . deserves another

Bulls needed a hand in the

Hornets face on this play

Who wants it?

Jacob got it and went back up with it

 

Bulls, two points

Hornets, three points

Track it . . .

. . . get it and get fouled on the way up

Jacob's Free Throw form

looked good to me

 

A wee Hornet boxing out

Defense and . . .

. . . rebounding

Scoring is way overrated. Jacob was happy with his two points today.

Fast Breaking Bulls!

Layup for two

Heave for three

Jacob with a foul inside

End of the Third Quarter, the Hornets

three point success gave them the

lead for the first time, 28-25

The Fourth Quarter would need to be a wild one for the Bulls to get the win.

Vertical leaping is a good thing

Double teaming the ball

About to intercept a Hornets

entry pass

OUCH!

No blood, no foul

Stop with the three point shots

Penetrating the Paint

Receiving a pass . . .

. . . trying to penetrate

Bulls from DOWNTOWN!

Flowing Hair Defense

A crucial two point basket

Bulls Defensive Effort

Hornets reseting their Offense

Denying the pass

Great Bulls Defensive Position

This made Free Throw gave the

Bulls the lead with only a few

seconds left in the game

Harassing the ball before the Hornets

could get off a shot to end the game

 

FINAL SCORE

Bulls (2-3) - 37

Hornets (?-?) - 36

It was as competitive a game as the score indicated.

Great job and effort by both clubs.

Next Saturday, the Bulls will play in what their schedule labels as "Seeded Games."

Jacob after the game just before . . .

. . . getting his annual haircut

Although I like his haircut better, I'm ok with either style.

After the game, Laurie and I had one more task to accomplish.

Shipping two boxes containing

50 jerseys and 50 pants that were

recently donated to the EuroBall cause

All of the cloth was made by Under Armour company and cost the Caserta Falcons of Italy the paltry sum of $3.52 per article of clothing. A GREAT deal for the Falcons indeed!

Speaking of EuroBall . . .

 

Saturday, Spain Serie A/DI game

Western Conference Result

Coslada Camioneros (1-1-1) - 21

Gijón Mariners (0-3-1) - 14

The Mariners played well again but still no wins as the second half of the regular season begins next week for them.

Saturday, Spain Serie A/DI game

Eastern Conference Result

Badalona Dracs (3-1) - 38

Valencia Firebirds (2-1) - 25

Saturday, Spain Serie B/DII games

Levante Conference Result

Sueca Ricers (2-1-1) - 42

Alicante Thunder (0-4) - 0

Levante Conference Result

Alicante Sharks (4-0) - 16

Valencia Giants  (2-1-1) - 13

Madrid Conference Result

Tres Cantos Jabatos (1-2) - 13

Boadilla Vikings (2-2) - 6

Sunday, Spain Serie A/DI game

Eastern Conference Result

Terrassa Reds (3-0) - 19

L'Hospitalet Pioners (1-3) - 12

Sunday, Spain Serie A/DI game

Western Conference Result

Las Rozas Black Demons (3-0) - 28

Zaragoza Hurricanes (1-2-1) - 20

Sunday, Spain Serie B/DII games

Norte Conference Result

Cantabria Bison (2-1-1) - 22

Santurtzi Coyotes (3-1) - 16

Madrid Conference Result

Alcorcón Smilodons (3-1) - 28

Pinto Goldbats  (1-2) - 6

Finally, great news from France . . .

Julien Urgenti's team selfie after

his Villeurbanne Falcons defeated

the Lyon Gones on Sunday, 21-3!

This tough win in the Lyon Derby was highlighted by an excellent Second Half effort by the Falcons who were down 3-0 at the intermission.

The Falcons (6-0) cemented their stranglehold on the Poule Ara Ouest Division Championship with the win over the hard fighting Gones (1-5).

The Falcons have only two more games to play against the Saint-Etienne Giants (3-2) and the Grenoble Diables Bleus (1-3) before the start of the playoffs.

In Italy, the American football season kicked off this weekend with opening games in Division II and Nine Football League/DIII.

As the name implies, DII plays the nine-man version of American football.

The Italian Division I starts next weekend.

Italian DII Results

Trento Thunders (1-0) - 30

Brescia Bengals (0-1) - 0

Cecina Trappers (1-0) - 13

Busto Arsizio Blue Storms (0-1) - 10

Torino Reapers (1-0) - 24

Albisola Pirates (0-1) - 7

Saturday's Nine Football League/DIII Results

Trieste Muli (1-0) - 14

FVG Kraken (0-1) - 7

Verona Redskins (1-0) - 32

Vicenza Hurricanes (0-1) - 6

Ravenna Chiefs (1-0) - 19

Romagna Titans (0-1) - 7

Varese Gorillas (1-0) - 28

Milano Rams (0-1) - 26

Sunday's Nine Football League/DIII Results

Bari Navy Seals (1-0) - 35

Salerno Eagles (0-1) - 19

Terraferma Cocai (1-0) - 13

Castelfranco Cavaliers (0-1) - 10

Laurie and I are again looking forward to taking the grandkids to school bright and early this coming week after having last week off. 

LIFE IS GOOD!