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Damaris OL Night Systems Interview (January 23, 2023)

Straight up: I originally didn't want to do this translation because I don't like certain individuals giving attention to a notoriously private individual. They have absolutely no concept of (moral) boundaries, right or wrong, acceptable vs unacceptable social behavior. Highlighting stuff about a player they have starting paying attention to risks only encouraging their invasive behavior.

I think this is why Lyon gatekeeps, honestly. Because the adverse is certain individuals start demanding too much. Take what a player gives you and respect the line in the sand rather than using it as an excuse to demand more.

OL Night Systems continue to be an absolute cause of sleep paralysis because of how long they are to translate. However, this is also how you get to understand how a Lyon player thinks. To know Lyon players is to understand them. These types of interview segments is how you get to that. I really wish other teams would follow these OL Night Systems interview format because there is none of that wretched background noise, it is just about what makes the player, well, a football player. Tell me why your eyes change the way they do. We can get to the rest another time.

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms pls pay for my Starbucks I'm so cheaply bribed you have no idea; is this an IP grab or am I simply losing my patience; I hate stans almost as much as Damaris hates Montpellier; y'all know the speech by now.

DAMARIS OL NIGHT SYSTEMS INTERVIEW

[Opening credits]

Journalist: Good evening everybody, and welcome to OL Night Systems on OLPlay. It's one of our producers birthday's today so everyone is good mood. Another thing to celebrate is our guest tonight. Okay, I do have Jules Cross with me, but I'm going to start with introducing our guest. Damaris Egurrola is going to spend an hour with us. Good evening, Dama.

Damaris: Good evening.

Journalist: Jules, I saw you do a shoulder shimmer during that introduction.

Jules: I was doing an interpreting dance to express my feeling.

Journalist: It looked like an exorcism.

Jules: There is the devil inside me. I can take this way off topic. Good evening, everybody. Delighted to be with a guest, as we do every Tuesday.

Journalist: Exactly. We'll be spending an hour with Damaris, do a news recap for Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, what happened last weekend, what happened last month. We're going to turn back the clock and rediscover her career path, the clubs she's played with, her story as well. And a few surprises, Damaris, as the show happens. Here at the club they call you "Dama". Can we call you Dama tonight as well?

Damaris: Yeah, call me how you want. Damaris, Dama.

Journalist: Very good. Let's look at what happened just this weekend. It was against Montpellier. A game against Montpellier, which has happened twice. It's gone well for Olympique Lyonnais, two wins, one in the Coupe de France and one in the league. A month of December which went pretty well for you personally when it comes to scoring goals. Is it a good period for Olympique Lyonnais and for yourself?

Damaris: Yes, it's true. It's sometimes a bit strange because I don't usually score a lot of goals. But yeah, December went well, the season so far has gone well for us. Montpellier is always hard, we played them twice in the same week. That's hard as well. And this weekend was complicated as well, playing at Montpellier is hard. It's very physical, there's a lot of intensity. But we won, that's the most important thing. We continue like that.

Journalist: We compiled Damaris' goals. There aren't a lot, but there are already two in the month of December.

Jules: Two goals scored in December and two on corners via headers. We'll talk about it. The first was against LOSC while wearing the third kit, it's a nice jersey [it's not, it looks like a clown outfit]. It's a gorgeous header. Flash forward to a few weeks later and it's against Fleury, your second goal in December and once again it's a header. Are headers your primary offensive weapon, Damaris?

Damaris: Yes, I think so. As I've said, sometimes I don't score but I've worked a lot on it because I think I can score more goals than before. I always work on that in practice. And yeah, in December I scored two goals, with the National Team as well. I'm happy but I know I can do better as well.

Journalist: Do you think that December has been your best month at Olympique Lyonnais?

Damaris: You could say that, but I've happy with every season [I've done] so far. I try every day to do as much as possible for my team as well. I work hard every day. I have a lot of ambition. I think we started the season really well, and I hope it continues like that.

Journalist: You thought December was a good month. Jules and I agree, it was. good month for you.

Jules: It was a good month.

Journalist: We're not the only ones who thought that. It's the first surprise for you, a little surprise. We have someone who is going to come and present you with the Player of the Month trophy in D1 Arkema. The league representative is here with us.

League representative: Congratulations on your great month of December. Hopefully there will be more. Congratulations again.

Journalist: Thank you for presenting the trophy to Damaris. Can you remind us what is the procedure?

League representative: Well every month we present the trophy of Player of the Month in D1 Arkema in collaboration with UNFP. Each each coach gives us their top three players at the end of each league match day. And then the shortlist, based on what the coaches submitted, is submitted to the players locker room and they vote as well. Then it's presented to the public for voting as well. So yeah. Lots of voting, a long process, but it also brings a sense of credibility and legitimacy to this trophy. And I think it adds some weight to it because all branches of French football are voting on it.

Journalist: You're welcome to come back any time and present the trophy.

League representative: Thank you. Congratulations again and have a great rest of the season. Goodbye.

Jules: We should have her back soon.

Journalist: We can invite her back on the last Tuesday [Note: guest segments are done on Tuesdays] of every month, it'll work out great.

Journalist: You thought you had a good month of December. The trophy also means that others agree with you and you're continuously improving.

Damaris: Yeah, it always makes you happy when you get a trophy like this. It's something complicated when you play in defense, you're not a forward so you're not the one scoring a lot goals. It's a bit difficult. We're always saying that defense is a lot of work, but sometimes it's not worthy of a trophy.

Journalist: You should rotate it [the trophy] so it's facing the camera. [Damaris dutifully does] It's a little off-center but that's okay.

Damaris: No, yeah, I'm happy with it.

Jules: You must be used to trophies. I would have put it front and center, everyone would have been aware of who won a trophy.

Journalist: Jules would have done a lap of honor while brandishing his jersey. But a trophy would have been a first for you,.

Jules: Indeed. But going back to you, as you said, it's usually forwards who score goals who win the trophy. I have the list of winners since the start of the season: there's Eugenie Le Sommer, Melchie Dumornay, Ines Benyahia who might be at Le Havre but for me it's four trophies won by Lyon players. So congratulations. It's even better when you're a midfielder, a defensive midfielder, it's a real accomplishment. Especially this trophy - we know you practice receiving trophies. We have footage. We have footage from pretty recently where we see Damaris who is practicing receiving a trophy. Now you weren't alone, your teammates were there too. It happened during the preseason camp in Girona, right Jules?

Jules: Yes, there was a ceremony, a choreography. Let's roll the footage.

[preseason camp cohesion activity]

Journalist: You were even practicing lifting the Champions League trophy with your teammates. Can you remind us what that was about?

Damaris: It was a game we played when we were in Girona. It was really good for team cohesion. One of the things we had to do was act like we had just won the Champions League. So I said, "let's play the music, we can do it like this." Everyone did their thing and it was good.

[Jules throws confetti at Damaris]

Jules: It came from our own production budget, we don't have the same budget at the Champions League. This will have to do.

Journalist: Jules has been tearing up paper for the past 30 seconds. How to produce your own show. It's in the news, the return to competition, this preseason camp in Girona. We saw that moment of team building where each small group [of players] had to create a short movie, that was done in good spirits. But there was also work, and a return after a difficult month of December, as you said. It's off to a good start with the two wins against Montpellier, so it's good on a personal level and a team level.

Damaris: Yeah, I think it was important to stay in Girona to do a lot of work on the field but outside of it as well. We worked a lot on tactics with the group. After having had 10 days of vacation, it's good to start again with the group. It's also good when we play games as well with the team, because this year I think we have a really good - [Damaris laughs at the picture on screen] - the photo says it all. I think we have a really special team. There's a lot of ... special people.

Journalist: Special individuals, can you name which ones of your teammates were a part of the game?

Damaris: It was Vicki [Becho], Amel [Majri], Julie [Swierot]. Marceau and Anto[nie]. They're part of the staff.

Journalist: I couldn't help but notice a pause there. Where did you finish in the game?

Damaris: Last.

Jules: Ouch. We're going to have to take the trophy [D1 Arkema Player of the Month] back.

Journalist: If the league representative is still around ...

Damaris: I wasn't meant for it. I tried though.

Journalist: We heard there was a constitutional crisis though, there was a key theft. There was cheating. There was definite cheating, maybe that's why.

Damaris: Oh yeah. But that's always the case here. When we play games before practice starts, when we're warming up, there are always cheaters.

Journalist: We know Olympique Lyonnais has a lot of objectives this year. In December, the month for which you got the trophy for, there's a bit of a dark moment. It was the draw in Norway. We're at the point where we can say a draw, which is not a defeat, is a misstep in your season. Did it really affect you and make you say "it's not normal that we drew", or do you just continue say "we move on, it's just something that happens"?

Damaris: Yes, it was hard when we finished the match, because we were playing with a player down, that's always complicated, but it's - it's complicated because we arrived, there was a lot of snow, the day before we only had practice for 20 minutes because we had to stop due to so much snow. It was dangerous for us. And then we had the match, we started well in difficult conditions. But yeah, it hurts when you concede a goal in the last minute like that. And then the refereeing, it was a bit complicated for us as well. But I think it's something that can help us for the rest of the season when you play a game like that, the whole team works hard, put in a lot of effort. After, it was still a draw, but I think we took a lot of positives from it.

Jules: We were talking about the great start of the season, only wins with the except of the draw against Hacken - sorry, Brann. Do you feel that the locker room feels there is something special going on? I get the impression we have not seen the team this strong in the last few years. You arrived three years ago. Do you feel there is something special this year?

Damaris: Yeah, I think so. It's already my third year here. I feel that we have a special group. There's a lot of different personalities, there are foreigners, there are French [individuals], but the connection is different this year. On the field as well. No matter whom plays, we know that when you play the ball, you know what's going to happen. We have an understanding of the game as well, that we're all in it together and it works out well.

Jules: it works no matter the player. It'll always work out.

Damaris: Yeah, it works naturally I think.

Journalist: Yeah, in the games against Montpellier, in the postgame, I think it was Selma Bacha and Vanessa Gilles who had both assists and goals. But the word which kept coming up in their interviews was solidarity. It's probably the strongest moral value at Olympique Lyonnais, to always play for each other. Of course there is a lot of individual talent, but do you work a lot on team cohesion so that players can come on and off in the same manner without a drop in level?

Damaris: Yes, we always do everything for our teammates. That's important when you have difficulties. You're thinking of your teammates, if they're having a hard time then you're going to help. That's how we're able to win games. We all have difficult moments because there are complicated games, like Montpellier who is very aggressive. There was a moment where they scored a goal but we stuck together and - that's how it works here. We work a lot when we have the ball but off the ball as well. When there's solidarity it works well.

Journalist: Solidarity comes from knowing your teammates well. We have one of your teammates who has a question to ask you. There are a lot throughout the show, you're going to have some like that. And it's Christiane Endler with the first question.

Christiane Endler: Hi, Dama[ris]. How are things? I have a question to ask you. Can you explain why you are called El Cactus?

Journalist So, why are you called El Cactus? Is it related - Jules has a theory. Since you play as a six, and it can be a prickly position -

Damaris: No, no. It has nothing to do with that.

Jules: No?

Damaris: It's always the same joke. I don't know why. But it's Daan [Danielle van de Donk] who started it. But it's because I don't like to dance. I don't know why. I don't know, I think I lost the Spanish side of me. But yeah, when I'm with my team, I don't really like dancing. That's why. I stay quiet as usual. That's why.

Journalist: It's okay. I don't like dancing either. El Cactus would suit me as well. Jules, you're not really a cactus.

Jules: I'm half cactus and half Dancing with the Stars. It depends.

[Damaris looks unimpressed]

Journalist: We were talking about Montpellier. You said that the game was hard, there was some - well, there were hits exchanged. Your position can be pretty exposed. With regard to your talents, do you like those types of contacts? Or is it something you'd rather avoid and be more technical?

Damaris: I think my first job on the field is to defend. That's the most important and most difficult I think, because everyone wanted to attack but my job is to defend. In games like that, I like the intensity, the physicality. But when it's like that it's hard because the tackles are coming in late. You've already played the ball and they come in with a tackle in a way that you can't protect your body. I don't think that's good. We need that to stop because that's not football. I like aggression, I like intensity, you can see it in the way I go in for a tackle. But it's always within the rules and when the ball is in play.

Journalist: Regarding your qualities, we're going to follow all of Damaris' statistics.

Jules: Yeah, we built a profile based on your statistics. There are tackles, interceptions, also aggression, technical ability. You are the player who tackles the most at Lyon, 41 tackles with 23 completed, I don't know if that surprises you. You've had 22 interceptions, second most on the team behind Selma Bacha. 971 touches of the ball, second on the team. You've provoked 13 fouls. We were talking about the defensive aspects, now it's the offensive. 32 shots taken, that's fourth overall. So you shoot a lot, you take a lot of shots. You say you don't score a lot and yet you still try and more than that, you're the player who has played the most. 1,166 minutes, 17 games played. So when we take into account what you were saying about having intensity, manage the ball, we can see it in the statistics. You're really a true midfielder who likes to control the tempo of the game.

Damaris: Yeah, I like that. But I think I have other qualities as well. I like having the ball, I like to keep the ball and create the tempo for the team. But I always say that my priority is to defend. Sometimes you forget, because when you play with Lyon it's easy, we always have the ball, you're attacking a lot. But in my head I always know what the priorities are. Protect the central defense with my two defenders. Sometimes that's the most complicated part, we have a really high block. But sometimes I need to attack as well. That's how I score. Otherwise I won't score.

Jules: If you stay in the defense it'll be complicated to score.

Journalist: Out of the statistics that Jules was talking about, which one do you prefer? In the categories. Is it the tackles? You talked about defending better. But there's also duels won. We can look at the statistics again, see the numbers of touches of the ball, the amount of playing time, the consistency of playing time.

Damaris: Yeah, I like the combination of touches of the ball and balls recuperated, the interceptions. I think that's my job, set up plays for the team but also recover as many balls as possible.

Journalist: So the goals are a bonus.

Damaris: Yeah. I think we can say that.

Journalist: It requires a huge amount of concentration. You need to play very high up, because as you said Olympique Lyonnais dominates ball possession, and it's not often where there are interceptions or when you have to get the ball away from your opponent. So you have to really be aware of positioning. Do you push forward while keeping an eye on things behind you?

Damaris: Yeah, that's true. I need to be able to control when I can attack and when I can't. I have a lot of confidence in my defenders, all of them, Griedge [MBock], Vanessa [Gilles], Wendie [Renard]. Chris[tiane Endler] behind them. There's always a lot of communication on the field, because it's just easier like that. But my job is also to maintain the balance. For that I have to think a lot. I think I am deep thinker. I know when I can and when I can't. Sometimes that's the most important thing.

Journalist: What are the areas of improvement for you? What things would you like to improve in your game?

Damaris: As I said, I think I can score more goals, but maybe with my feet and not always headers [Vanessa Gilles Dilemma]. I think I can shoot from distance as well. I think I've worked a lot without the ball, but I think I can do a bit more. That's it, really.

Journalist: This is a dumb question. But are you right-footed or left-footed? Because when we watch you play, we really can't tell.

Damaris: No, I'm a leftie. I prefer passing with my right foot but I'm left-footed.

Jules: To shoot is it the right foot?

Damaris: Always the left.

Journalist: You use your right foot a lot. You're at ease using both feet. Would you like to shoot with your right foot, not just to score goals but also to switch the side of play, to play long?

Damaris: Yes, I've done a lot of exercises regarding that, to work on my right foot because when I first arrived, I used my left foot a lot to turn, and that takes more time. Like this I can play faster. It's more efficient as well when I play with my right foot.

Jules: You were talking about your role and having to defend a lot, recover a lot of balls. We get the impression that you're the only one on the team who has that role, because the other midfielders on the team are a bit more offensive, Danielle [van de Donk], Lindsey [Horan], Sara [Dabritz]. Does that put more pressure on you, because you're kind of the first defender in the team and there's just you, and I'm putting that in quotation marks, who can play that role?

Damaris: No, I like that pressure because that's my role. I know the players in front of me are more attackers than defenders. My job is to defend. Sometimes I'm a bit tired because I have to get from one side to another and that's not always easy to do. But I have a lot of work behind me, no matter whom, there's also the No. 8 who plays in front of me, they try to help a lot as well. And that's the solidarity we were talking about before, the whole team has to work and help recover the balls, that makes things easier.

Journalist: There's a sacrificial side to it as well with your position. When the opponent has the ball, there are fouls. Some come a little late, as you said. And in the game against Montpellier, Jules, we saw it with the away game and then the Coupe de France. It's not always within the rules.

Jules: Yes, we talked about Montpellier because those are the most recent games. You talked about it at the beginning of the show. Montpellier plays with a lot of intensity and aggression. Here we're talking about the return game. 1 minute 30 played.

Journalist: Damaris keeps flinching.

Jules: Yes, we're looking at the footage, and you got completely wiped out.

Damaris: Completely. [Damaris winces while the footage plays]

Jules: You were talking about the intensity and aggression as long as it's within the rules. Here it was completely illegal. And then to add to that the foul was called against you.

Damaris: Yeah, I think that's serious. That's not football. I like contact, I said it previously. But this is serious. If you don't call that the game is over. For that tackle as well, there were like three more which were the same. No cards, no fouls given. It's dangerous for us.

Jules: Do you feel the referees don't protect the play enough and let too much slide?

Damaris: Yeah, I think the players need more protection. You can't protect your body because you've already played the ball. Usually you can position yourself to protect yourself. But like that, when you've already played the ball and the player comes in 30 seconds later, there's nothing you can do. [@ players with a notable lack of impulse control]

Journalist: You play as a No. 6. We talked about scoring goals, you said you wanted to improve on that. You're also a good defender, which means you're involved in a lot of duels. Would you prefer scoring a nice goal in an important game, it can be with your left foot, doesn't have to be a header, or would you prefer just be involved in duels, recovering a ball from under your opponent? Which part do you prefer in a game, if you had to choose?

Damaris: Recover the ball. Get into it. That's more important for me, because sometimes I need to be higher to get the ball back, and then it sometimes leads to a goal or at least it creates a chance. That's my job.

Journalist: It's your job. There is something who is very satisfied of your work, who was talking about you not long ago. It wasn't me. It was Sonia Bompastor who was talking about you. And she had a lot of compliments to give you.

Sonia Bompastor: She's a player that we counted on enormously. We still count on her enormously to this day. I think in our discussions there is a strong element of trust. She knows exactly what we expect from her. She has an enormous amount of qualities and potential, and as such I don't want her to rest on her laurels. So I always push her to give a little bit more. And I think the message is well received, she knows exactly what my expectations are, and as such she wants to meet them on the field. So yeah, she's had a great start to the season, a good part of the season so far, and there's continuity with her national team. What's interesting is that with our communications with the Dutch National Team coach, we have a common interest which is that the player performs well. So with several discussions between the coach, the player, and myself, we managed to do that. In any case I am really satisfied with how she did in her last international break. She played 45 minutes in the first game, 90 minutes yesterday with two goals. So yeah, we asked her to be efficient. We know she can be a really important player for Lyon and as such, also with the Dutch National Team. When we talk with the Dutch head coach, we tell him that Dama[ris] is pretty much an undisputed starter in our midfield, she should be able to bring a lot to the Dutch National Team. She was able to show that on the last international break, so that's good.

Journalist: Sonia Bompastor gave a lot of compliments about your role with Olympique Lyonnais, which transferred all the way to the Netherlands since you're becoming so important to the [Dutch] National Team. First of all, about Sonia's compliments - I suppose that must make you happy.

Damaris: Yeah. I thank her for that, because it's always nice. It's nice. When you have a coach speak about a player like that, it's good for the confidence as well because when you play without a coach's confidence, it's not the same thing. I think that now we have a lot of players on the field with a lot of confidence.

Journalist: And your national team, the Netherlands. You played in the League of Nations. About that, you're qualified for the semi-finals. Before we talk about the Netherlands, we're going to listen to another question from one of your teammates. It has a small link to the Netherlands, you'll see.

Danielle van de Donk: Hello Dama[ris]. What was your favorite header you scored with your national team against Belgium?

[Damaris laughs]

Journalist: Danielle van de Donk, who is your teammate on the Dutch National Team. We're going to remind everyone of the content. You played the qualifiers for the League of Nations with the Netherlands. It was the last game against Belgium to get to the semi-finals.

Damaris: Yeah.

Journalist: And eliminate England. There was a goal differential at play. If you managed to score four goals, you would advance and you would eliminate England. Did I get that right?

Damaris: Yeah, that's correct. It was really complicated. Yeah. We scored two goals, then we went into half time and they said "well England scored a lot of goals, we need more [goals]." We worked on that, we were missing efficiency in that game but then we were in the last minute and the coach said "Dama - gestures head"

Jules: Go score a header.

Damaris: I would say it was more "go be a forward". We needed to score.

Journalist: What I'm going to suggest, Damaris, is to watch those goals with original Dutch commentary.

[clips play]

Journalist: [imitating Danielle van de Donk] Her big head is amazing. That's a great quote from your teammate. It was an incredible game. with the - Jules, do you want to pronounce it?

Jules: Egurrola?

Journalist: You said it better the first time.

Jules: I'll do it later, when the cameras aren't rolling.

Journalist: Something to look forward to. Damaris, those were incredible moments. The qualification was extraordinary. If you were looking at the time, it's incredible, it was 90th minute plus one, so one minute into the extra time, and then the next goal came in the 95th minute. Which lead to such an explosion of joy.

Damaris: Yeah, it was incredible. Now when I look back at the footage, it's incredible. When I scored the first goal I was like "it's done, we're already qualified." So I went back to my position in the midfield. I look over to my teammates on the bench and they tell me "Dama[ris], we need one more." And I was like "are you crazy? I just scored a goal, this isn't my job." And they said "no, no, England just scored, we need one more." I look at the clock and there's a minute left. The sequence of play started really well, in my opinion at least. It started with the defense, I won the ball back, we pass it around and then I think I did the fastest sprint I could have done because I don't actually go very fast. And yeah, that's how we managed to score. Yes, it was an incredible day with my family over there.

Journalist: With that qualification, you're playing in the semi-finals on February 23. It will be against Spain. Not exactly easy. We know all the qualities Spain have. And why not, maybe a final against France.

Damaris: Yeah. For me that works out fine. I like that. But first we have to play Spain. It's always complicated. But for me it's special as well. Hard as well. But we'll see. It's just a game. We're going to do everything to try and qualify for the final.

Journalist: We're going to talk about your international career because you've lived in several countries since you were born. I believe you were born in the United States. You went to Spain. You play for the Netherlands. You speak three, four languages.

Damaris: Five.

Journalist: There you have it. Is it that international career path which allows you to integrate so easily and navigate the Olympique Lyonnais locker room?

Damaris: Yeah, it's a bit of a strange story. Everyone asks me "where are you from?" and I don't know what to say. I was born in the United States, my father is Spanish, my mother is Dutch. But yeah, I think it's always a positive when you have several cultures within the family. That's how I became integrated and I'm really happy and proud to be a bit of everything because that's quite special to me. My family lives in Basque Country, for me that's home.

Journalist: [jokingly] Netherlands, Basque, they're almost identical.

Damaris: Yeah, it's the same. They're obviously not identical. I like Basque Country, for me it's always going to be home. Beyond that, the Netherlands is special because it's my mother's country and I chose that national team because of her as well.

Journalist: Choosing between your mother and your father is always complicated. Was it a topic of conversation in your family or did they let you choose in peace?

Damaris: No, they left me alone. It's always peaceful with my parents.

Journalist: Are there jokes from time to time?

Damaris: No, no. My father is actually really happy I changed national teams, because he wanted me to be happy and that's what was most important for him.

Jules: When there's a Spain - Netherlands clash, you always win. Well, almost always.

Damaris: Exactly. Yeah, that's true.

Journalist: Your first game with the Netherlands, it was in your family's hometown. It must have been an even more special moment for you to have your first call-up then.

Damaris: Yeah, I think it was the most meaningful moment for me with the national team. It was in my mother's hometown, with I think 50 tickets bought for the whole family. I forget the score, I know we won.

Journalist: I looked it up and the final score was 12-0. I have to ask, how did you manage not to score?

Damaris: Oh yeah. I don't know.

Jules: She came in at the end.

Damaris: Yeah, at the end, but I think it's more there were so many emotions. I didn't have time to score. It's unusual for me to score, it doesn't happen all the time.

Journalist: Your international career, it started when you were living in Spain. You had played with the youth teams for Spain. Switching to the Netherlands happened when you were an adult. Were you thinking about it before? You were playing for Spain since you were living there so it was easy. Or was it in the back of your mind, "I'm going to switch to the Netherlands", or did it happen later?

Damaris: Yeah, it happened later. But it all started when I came here to Lyon because I started to play, I was playing well. But I wasn't being selected to play with the first team for Spain. And that's when I was like, if I am going to do everything I want to do, win international titles, play in the Euros, play in the World Cup, I need to switch. I wasn't going to be able to do that with Spain. I was fortunate to have two other nationalities. That's why I was able to be like, okay now is the time to change. I need to play competitions at the highest level to improve as well. The Dutch team came in with a very positive mindset and I said "I need that". I wanted to switch national teams. That's what made me switch. I also had the option of the United States, but I feel more European than American. And it was also really special for my mom when I chose the Netherlands.

Jules: Would you say your style of play is more Spanish or more Dutch?

Damaris: I don't think it's too different between Spain and the Netherlands. But I think I mean more towards the Spanish style of play, smaller spaces, because I started there with the U-16s up to the U-20s.

Jules: So you were formed as a Spanish player.

Damaris: Yeah, because I lived over there.

Journalist: We're going to do a recap of Damaris, the different countries she's lived in, the different clubs she's played for. Jules, why don't you get us started?

Jules: Yes, Basque Country features predominantly. You started with Athletic Bilbao in 2015, you were 16 at the time. You were Spanish champions in 2016. And then you headed to England with Everton for six months, and finally joining Olympique Lyonnais. We've talked about your career with the Dutch National Team, you've played in 22 games. You went from a family club with Athletic Bilbao, there are a lot of Basque players. And then you went to England and France. Did you experience a cultural shock and sporting shock when you left Bilbao? It's kind of a special case.

Damaris: Of course. I think Bilbao was unique because it's the only team who has players from Basque Country. That's always special. I grew up there. There's a lot of positive memories because the player that I am today, it's because of Bilbao as well. And yeah, I started really young, when I was 16. I had my first game. We won the league that year, it was so special because we had won at Barcelona, at Atletico Madrid, everyone. Then I finished up over there and I wanted a change because I think it was the time to change.

Journalist: Staying with Basque Country, we were talking about Bilbao. You were 16 when you started playing for them. But you had been in Basque Country for longer than that. You arrived when you were seven. Can you fact check me? Is my information correct?

Damaris: Yeah, that's it. I started [playing] at school with the boys. Before, when I was in the United States, I never touched a ball. I don't know why. Then I got to Spain and the first thing I did was kick a ball. Then I told my parents that I wanted to play on a team. That's how I got started.

Journalist: Were you doing other things before football?

Damaris: A bit of everything. Tennis, pelota Basque. My father played that, he wanted to get me into it but I was more interested in football.

Journalist: Being in Basque Country and not playing pelota Basque is strange. Did you try playing it?

Damaris: Yes. I played in the championship in Basque Country for pelota Basque.

Journalist: What about tennis? Were you a tennis champion as well?

Damaris: No.

Journalist: You're sure?

Damaris: For pelota Basque, I started young, I think I was 12 when I stopped because when you play against the boys it's more complicated. The pelota is harder, it's heavier. That's when I switched to the racket in pelota Basque.

Jules [to the journalist]: You're awfully well-informed about pelota Basque.

Journalist: I like it, I follow it.

Jules: He is Champion of France in pelota Basque.

Damaris: Oh really?

Journalist: No. I know it because I follow it.

Damaris: I'll get you a racket and we can play.

Journalist [to Jules]: You should get more interests.

Jules: Me? I have a ton of other interests. I like paddle tennis. Do you play?

Damaris: It's a thing in Spain.

Jules: Great, we can organize some matches.

Journalist: You're already organizing one with Camille Abily. We are also doing a ping pong tournament with Delphine Cascarino. When we interviewed her during the preseason camp, you could hear a ping pong game going on off-camera.

Damaris: That was me and Chris[tiane Endler]. I was like "we need to stop!"

Journalist: So to recap things a little. You were born in the United States, your father was a professional pelota Basque player, you went to Basque Country. You've picked up a lot of languages very quickly. Did you speak Spanish before going to Basque Country? Basque and Spanish are two different languages.

Damaris: Just a little. When we were in the US, it was English first. Then my father taught us a little bit of Spanish and Basque. But my mother doesn't speak a lot of Basque, that's why it was a little complicated to integrate Basque [into the family]. And then we got to Spain and that's how we kept the Spanish and the English at home. And then the Basque.

Journalist: So now you know Spanish, Basque, English, Dutch, and French. Is that right?

Damaris: Yes, that's right.

Journalist: So I have a few questions for you regarding those languages. So we know how you function. Which language do you think you speak the best?

Damaris: Now? Spanish.

Journalist: Which language do you speak on the field? There are a lot of different nationalities [on the team].

Damaris: Sometimes it's complicated. I remember than Daan[ielle van de Donk] spoke to me in Dutch. And then I spoke Spanish to Vanessa [Gilles]. Then I spoke French to Lindsey [Horan], when normally it's in English. Sometimes it gets mixed up. But usually I try to do everything in French.

Journalist: Because sometimes you mess up? Like you're speaking Dutch to Griedge [MBock] and she doesn't understand.

Damaris: Yeah, it's exactly that. And then we go off to the national team and I'm speaking Spanish to my teammates.

Journalist: Is there another language you'd like to learn?

Damaris: No, I'm good. I already have too many right now.

Journalist: The classic question for people who speak several languages. What language do you dream in?

Damaris: For that, I think in English.

Journalist: Not Spanish?

Damaris: No.

Journalist: What language do you use when you're angry? Which one slips out the easiest? When you lose it, which one comes out?

Damaris: Because I get angry a lot? No, I don't get angry. French, no. I think it's Spanish.

Journalist: Which language is the most romantic? That's a question from Jules, who absolutely wants you to say French.

Jules: Why are you dragging me into this?

[Damaris stays silent]

Journalist: It's easier to flirt in, to express yourself, for love. Everything that's romantic.

Damaris: Basque or Spanish. [Jules mimics storming off set] My French isn't there yet. Maybe later.

Journalist: And finally the one when you really lose it. Which language is the best for insulting someone? I suppose it's linked to which one you use when you're angry.

Damaris: I think it's Basque, because it's too complicated to understand. A lot of people don't understand it. So that's why I use Basque.

Journalist: Thank you for your honesty. We're going to turn back to football. You've played in a lot of different positions. You weren't originally formed as a midfielder. I saw that you've been a winger, center back. Was it already that desire to defend rather than attack when you were younger?

Damaris: When I was younger I started on the left in front, with the number 10. A lot has changed, because after I don't run very fast, so I became a 10 but more central. Then I dropped back as a 6, then sometimes a center back. So I've moved around.

Journalist: But you prefer to defend. You quickly understood you'd rather defend.

Damaris: Yeah, that's it.

Journalist: Now, if you had to play another position, like if you were playing a game and something happened, are you still able of going back to a center back or on the wing? Are those things you could do?

Damaris: Yeah, sometimes it happens for me to be center back. I don't really like it but sometimes it's necessary and I'll do it. If I had to choose it would be the No. 6, I like it.

Journalist: What's certain is that you have become indispensable in your position. When we talk about it with Sonia Bompastor, as you heard, she keeps singing your praises. And in terms of statistics, those confirm it as well.

Jules: Yes, as Sonia [Bompastor] said, you're the only one who can play as a 6. And you can see it, we counted on your games by season. 7 games in your first season, 2020-2021. [Note: this stats are a little skewered because she arrived in January 2021]. 23 games in the 2021-2022 season, with the double in the Champions League and the league. Next season [2022-2023], 29 games. And now 18 games so far, so you will certainly beat your record of the previous season. You have come indispensable. How would you explain that? You came in as a young player, you've gained in maturity, and you are more aligned with what Sonia is expecting?

Damaris: Yeah, I think I was clear when I arrived that I had a lot of ambitions. My objectives were to play as much as possible because I think I can. Now it's like that. But in the previous seasons I had an injury and it took two, three months to get over. It broke the rhythm. But up to now I haven't had any injuries this season and that's nice, it means I can play. I'm happy because that's the most important. When you're good physically, you can play. I have a lot of confidence I can stay like that.

Journalist: When you arrive at Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique Lyonnais already has titles. They already have players who have been there for a while. How did you come in? Were you discrete and just observing? Did you already have ambitions to make a name for yourself? What were your feelings?

Damaris: Very calm, I think. But it was my dream when I arrived because before I watched all the games on television with my family. It's special to come here and see players like - everyone. Wendie [Renard], Ada [Hegerberg], Maro[zsan], Eugenie [Le Sommer], Amel [Majri]. Everybody.

Journalist: Were you already following them before? Did you know them before coming to Olympique Lyonnais?

Damaris: Yeah, they're like my idols.

Jules: You grew up watching them. You're part of a generation that watched them.

Damaris: Yeah.

Journalist: Was there one whom you didn't dare go up to? Like you said to yourself "no, she's not my teammate, she's still ..."

Damaris: Yes, with everyone when I got here. The first day I got here, Ada [Hegerberg] was on the practice field and I was over there to watch everything and find my bearings and all that. I remember being surprised because I was like "that's Ada." And my father, I think he was like "I need to get a picture with Ada." It was something really special for my family because they always watched Lyon games and now I am there with my idols.

Jules: And you were 21 when you got here? Or 22? So it's complicated to make a place for yourself when you're young as well.

Damaris: Yeah, exactly. But I was clear, when I had the option to come here I said I wanted to come here, but I didn't want to watch from the bench. I had a lot of ambitions and that's why I came here.

Jules: You made the right choice.

[Damaris laughs]

Journalist: In terms of ambitions, there's the Champions League. Olympique Lyonnais had won it before you arrived, they've won it since then. Would you like to start a collection like certain teammates? I'm thinking of Wendie Renard, whose collection is XXL. Are those part of your personal objectives? Have you fixed yourself a specific number of titles?

Damaris: I haven't set a number because it's complicated. But I look around and there's Wendie, everyone, they have so many trophies. It's an ambition I have because it's always special to play the Champions League. This year even more so because the final is in Bilbao. Every morning when I wake up I tell myself this is what I need to work for, because it's so special. I hope we make it, because it's special. I have a lot of confidence in the group as well.

Journalist: We're talking about the Champions League. Another question from one of your teammates. We can take a look, it's Ellie Carpenter who has something to tell you.

Ellie Carpenter: [in English] Hello, Dama[ris]. [in French] What happened when we got home after the Champions League final [in 2022]?

Damaris: Oof.

Journalist: We're digging into the personnel files.

Damaris: Yeah.

Journalist: What happened when you got home after the Champions League final [in 2022]?

Damaris: It's a little secret, but -

Jules: Ah?

Damaris: No, no.

Journalist: You don't have to tell us. If you think it's secret, you don't have to tell us. [What? A club journalist who respects a player's personal life? Whatever has the world come to?]

Damaris: No, it's -

Jules: We still want to know.

Damaris: It's my first Champions League win, it's always special. My sister and my best friend were there to celebrate as well. It was a party, I guess. [laughs awkwardly] Yeah. It was good.

Journalist: It was a good party, one could say.

Damaris: It was a very good party. It's always special because it was my first Champions League. I have a lot of stories to tell but I will keep them to myself.

Jules: [jokingly] Sorry, I just had Sonia [Bompastor] on the phone. Sonia, it's okay, I will call you back later.

Journalist: The Champions League final this year in Bilbao, for you it's something special. But for everyone on the team, we know that Olympique Lyonnais wants to win everything this season. Is that additional pressure or does that seem normal to you?

Damaris: I think it's normal because we're Olympique Lyonnais. It's normal that we have a need to win everything. Last year it was complicated, to have lost against Chelsea on penalties. This year I think we started working even harder because last year was difficult, to end the Champions League like that. We had even more ambition to win it this year, I think. I think it's even more special when you lose in that manner the season before.

Journalist: Does the Chelsea game still linger in the back of your head? Or is it behind you?

Damaris: No, no, we've put behind us. [Have you thought...?] It was complicated. But after that game I think we played Le Havre, we won 7-0. It's also something I think is important, because we lost, it's a big thing to lost against Chelsea like that, but we were able to just change everything -

Jules: Move onto to other things.

Damaris: Three days later, we're winning 7-0. That's important as well.

Journalist: The league is back. You're undefeated so far. Have you talked about it? You brought up objectives, obviously titles are an objective. But that having remained undefeated in the league until the end of the season. We know there are the playoffs so everything goes into play for the final and the semifinal. But is it part of an objective, obviously excluding titles and trophies, to say "we're just going to have wins, or at least no defeats"?

Damaris: Yeah, of course. I think it's an objective we can accomplish. We're at the halfway point in the league. And that way we can have a greater advantage in the playoffs. It's important for the team as well to win the playoffs, but also continue like this and win all the games.

Journalist: What do you personally think of the playoffs? Is it something you like or are you indifferent?

Damaris: It's new for me. I've never had that before. We'll see. I think the league is special when you are consistent and winning games. That's hard to do. That's the price of winning a trophy, you were consistent. With the playoffs, that changes a little.

Journalist: You have to be in form during the final and the semifinal. If we're imagining an unfair scenario, it's that Olympique Lyonnais has nothing but wins, and doesn't win the title. It would be weird in relation to previous seasons. But you also have to tell yourself you will have to be good for the semifinal and the final once you've qualified for it. That's particular as well.

Damaris: Yeah, that's it. Continue like that and then when we get to the playoffs, we need to win each game. It's like that, otherwise if you don't stay like that throughout the season, you lose the first place and then you don't have [home] advantage

Jules: Don't say that too loudly, the woman with the federation might be lurking and she could take the trophy away from you.

Journalist: Keep it close just in case.

[Damaris laughs]

Journalist: We obviously wish that you win all the trophies. You've already won one trophy. You want all of them. But if you have to rank them by preference, which one would you put first and second?

Damaris: This year, the Champions League. That's for sure. But the league is important for me as well because it's a trophy which rewards continuity [until the fucking playoffs...] And then on top of that, you have the playoffs. It's like - you have to win it twice.

Journalist: It's a bit of a trick question. Obviously we want to win everything, it's easier said like that. You've been at Lyon since 2021, when you arrived in January. Do you like the city of Lyon? Because going from Bilbao to Lyon, there's a bit of a difference. It's a little bit harder to surf in Lyon, for example, even if I'm sure you could find a wave if you tried. But getting used to that, would you consider yourself a proper Lyon resident?

Damaris: Yeah, maybe so. I like Lyon. I can say it's a little similar to Bilbao. Old town Lyon is similar to old town Bilbao. I feel good here. It's a nice city, it's not too big, it's not really small. Bilbao is pretty close, I have a lot of friends and family members who come here often.

Journalist: That's good, we have another question for you about Lyon. It's from another one of your teammates. It's Sara Dabritz who got a hold of the microphone.

Sara Dabritz: Hola, Dama. Tell us, what is your favorite coffee shop in Lyon?

Journalist: So we'll take Sara [Dabritz's] question. I also want to know who was screaming in the background.

Damaris: Ellie [Carpenter], I think. Or Selma [Bacha].

Jules: I would have said Selma.

Journalist: Cast your votes. No, we don't do that here. What is your favorite coffee shop? From what we heard you have your little habits.

Damaris: Yes, there's a lot of good coffee shops here. I like coffee, that's for sure.

Journalist: So that's what you do in your free time? Go out one afternoon with your teammates and -

Damaris: Yeah. We do that a lot. Go to a coffee shop then go home. Maybe a walk around town. But I like mochas. I think we have good quality coffee here in Lyon.

Journalist: You've acclimatized well, you have your little routines. Before training, or after training, you all agree to meet up - with Sara [Dabritz] maybe?

Damaris: No, right after training. We eat here. Sometimes when it's nice out we go for a walk around town.

Jules: We see some nice pictures of Lyon on your Instagram. There's some nice pictures of you walking around Lyon.

Damaris: Yeah, I like it.

Journalist: Do you often take pictures? Like Melchie [Dumornay]? We see Melchie always lurking with her camera. When she's injured, I'm not sure if you've seen, she's on the sidelines with her camera. Is it a passion or -

Damaris: It's not as intense as with Melchie. No, I like it. I just started. I try to take pictures. I like the colors. It's just me liking to take pictures. Not of myself though.

Journalist: So outside of football. We were talking about it, you played a lot of sports, we talked about tennis, we talked about pelota Basque, we talked about surfing. I was told you go surfing on January 1. You're part of those crazy people who go surfing in cold water on January 1.

Damaris: I -

Journalist: Personally I think people are crazy to do that. I could never do it, it's way too cold. But you make a tradition out of it.

Damaris: Yeah, I don't do it as much. Nowadays it's a bit complicated to surf. I only have a little bit of vacation, not too much. I just go into the ocean, I don't surf. But before I would always surf on January 1.

Journalist: So a lot of different sports that you do from time to time. Photography. Do you have other passions on the side which take up some of your time? Are you thinking about post playing career or not yet?

Damaris: [laughs awkwardly] It's too early I think. But I like going to cafes, just talking to people. But I like watching basketball as well, going to the ASVEL games. That's fun. I like doing different things, not always having to think about football. I like separating on and off the field. When I am playing I am very focused. But when I'm done I need to think about other things. Sometimes it's going to coffee shops, photography, basketball.

Journalist: You're curious. You like knowing what's out there. We're going to turn to the rest of the season, there's the Champions League starting up on Thursday, there's the Coupe de France with the Round of 16 this Sunday. OLPlay will be broadcasting it live. That's quite the schedule. But first it's the Champions League, you've already qualified. But I imagine you want to finish first in the group and strengthen your position.

Damaris: Yeah, of course. Tomorrow we're flying to Austria to win the game, because last time we played [in the UWCL] it was a draw. We want to change that. Yeah, I think it's an important game in order to stay first in the group.

Jules: That has a big impact. Last season you finished second, you had to play Chelsea in the quarterfinals. So here by finishing first, the draw should be more favorable, in theory at least.

Damaris: Yeah, there are several advantages. You might play a weaker team, but you never know. There are a lot of strong teams.

Jules: You had a pretty easy group, unlike Paris Saint-Germain, Paris FC, their groups were a bit more complicated.

Damaris: Yes, that's true, but it's the first year that's happened to us, I think. Usually it's the opposite. We're happy but we also wanted to play some big games.

Jules: It'll have to wait until the quarterfinals.

Journalist: You said "we drew the last game" and I could tell that you had difficulty swallowing there. I'm not sure I would want to be in St Polten's place right now. When you run up the score, you can win 1-0 or 2-0, but when there is 7-0 or 8-0, you still keep going. You still have the desire to say "we need to score to win". You won 9-0 in the UWCL. Is running up the score important for you?

Damaris: Yes, for sure. Here at Lyon, it's like it's good to win games, but it's also important as to how we won the game. You could play well, you could play less well, but the most important thing is to win the game, play well, and score many goals. If we can score even more, then we put it in the work.

Journalist: And if there is a player who is slowing down, taking their foot off the gas, who reminds them to keep going?

Damaris: Everyone would say something.

Journalist: It's not like anyone does that. We know Lyon's mentality, winning is everything. So the first step is this Thursday, away game in Austria. The Coupe de France follows. Is the Coupe de France significant to the group? Here you're going to play against a team in the second division. Sometimes those games can be tricky. Does it change a little, when you're playing against lower division teams?

Damaris: It changes in that it's just one game. You're playing against one team and anything can happen in a game. It's not like in the league when there is game after game and you need continuity. The Coupe de France, it's just one game, it's 90 minutes and then it's over. That's why we're playing a team in the second division. But it doesn't change anything.

Journalist: It will be against Nantes, and it will be on OLPlay. Jules will be doing live interviews so it's worth watching just for that. Are you going to do anything special?

Jules: I'm a good luck charm, they're going to progress to the next round. I hope so anyway.

Damaris: I hope so too.

Jules: Otherwise I will be out of a job.

Journalist: Damaris, thank you for having spent time with us. We're really happy to have discussed your career so far. We're going to follow you in all the sports you play. We're going to follow your photography, your tennis results, when are you going surfing, when will you go to a basketball game. Actually, do you play basketball or do you just watch it?

Damaris: I try, but I'm really bad at it.

Jules: You're better at football.

Damaris: Yeah, yeah.

Journalist: We'd know about it otherwise. Thank you very much.

Damaris: Thank you to you, too.

[laurenairay]

So It’s Like That? - D. Hamilton & R. Graves

Summary: your boyfriend Dougie notices you watching his teammate Ryan Graves, and takes matters into his own hands.

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: heavy threesome smut/filth – I won’t sugarcoat that hah. Some bad language.

A/N: this is entirely @tippedbykreider​’s fault and I can only thank her for putting this filth into my head. Once I had the idea, I couldn’t let it go until I had written it out! Header photo is of course sourced from twitter.

Tagging some mutuals so this doesn’t flop: @danglesnipecelly​ @texanstarslove​ @denis-scorianov​ @broadstbroskis​ @thebookofmags​ @matthewtkachuk​ @bricksatanakinswindow​ @antoineroussel​ @prettymint​ @horsesandhockeyplayers​

~

“Come on sweetheart, don’t you want to let him know how good you feel?”

You couldn’t help but gasp, the harsh sound choking off into a moan as he laughed.

“Gravy, please!”

*

Three months ago, your life turned upside down. Three months ago, Dougie signed with the New Jersey Devils and asked you to come with him. Two months ago, you packed up the only life you had ever known to follow the only man you had ever truly loved to a whole new state. One month ago, you went to your first Devils game and met a man who took your breath away.

Ryan Graves.

There hadn’t been a big dramatic scene, no. All you did was greet Dougie with a kiss as you met him after the game, and the moment you stepped back, that beautiful then-stranger came into view. You still remember the moment, clear as day. There were few men you had met as tall and as broad as your beloved Dougie, and yet here he was. Where Dougie had the short blonde curls you loved to run your fingers through, Gravy had long dark hair you couldn’t help but imagine tangling your fingers in. Where Dougie’s eyes were a beautiful blue, Ryan’s stormcloud grey eyes held a spark that promised mischief. Where Dougie was golden and warm, Gravy was pale and mysterious. It was simple to the basic eye. Both may be big strong defencemen, but physically they couldn’t look more different.

Tall, dark and handsome though – who could resist?

You tried to keep your staring subtle. Dougie did, after all, satisfy you in every way – and this was purely a physical attraction. Dougie’s warmth, and friendship, and love was something you would never want to lose and nor would you ever risk it. While something so primal and lustful consumed you whenever you saw Gravy, it wasn’t like you didn’t feel that way for your own boyfriend too.

No, you knew the moment that Dougie introduced him to you that first night, that you would have to be content with just gazing at Gravy’s beauty. That would have to be enough.

But that was a month ago. And today was a whole different ballgame.

Tonight the Devils had won their game with a 4-0 shutout, leading to the majority of the team heading out to a bar and taking over several booths. The drinks were flowing, players and their partners were dancing, and you were snuggled into Dougie’s side. You’d been pacing yourself with your alcohol, only having had two weak mixers, wanting to be coherent for whenever you went home to celebrate in your own way, but what Dougie just said to you made you crave a shot of whisky.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Dougie just grinned, easy and smooth. “Oh you heard me,”

He didn’t elaborate any further, but he didn’t need to. It wasn’t that you hadn’t heard him – oh no, quite the opposite. The words ‘how do you feel about bringing Gravy home tonight’ were rolling around in your mind, over and over and over, each time feeling more incredulous than the last.

“I don’t…I…what?” you managed to choke out.

Dougie’s grin turned a little sharper, the intensity in his eyes sending a little shiver through your body, and he leant closer towards you, his lips brushing your ear.

“You don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you stare at him?” he murmured.

Oh fuck.

“Dougie, babe, I would never…”

“I know,” he said quickly, placing his hand on your knee and squeezing gently, “But I have noticed how your eyes follow him. And what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t give my girl everything she desired?”

This couldn’t be real, right? Surely this wasn’t real? You bit your bottom lip as your eyes searched your boyfriend’s face, desperate for any sign of truth. Had he really set this up, just for you? An evening with that impossibly beautiful man? You could find no trace of a lie, just satisfaction and heat in his eyes, in his expression, in his body language. Oh fuck this was real. Dougie actually meant it. So you ran your fingers through your hair, swallowing heavily.

“Are you serious?” you eventually asked.

Dougie nodded, thumb running gently back and forth over your thigh. “Do you know something else?”

“What?” you asked softly, body thrumming with anticipation.

What else could there possibly be?

Dougie glanced to the side briefly, before smirking down at you. “His eyes follow you too,”

You couldn’t help but to gasp audibly, Dougie just huffing a laugh as he picked up his drink. You darted your eyes to where he just looked, and sure enough Gravy was sitting there, stormy eyes dark and intense in your direction. He raised an eyebrow at you, to which you bit your lip, earning a small smirk and a wink in return. A laugh from Dougie drew your attention back to him, your cheeks heating up in a flush.

“Well that was easy enough,” Dougie murmured, wearing a small smirk of his own.

You couldn’t help but to draw your bottom lip into your mouth though, Dougie’s smirk shifting into a slight frown. “Is everything okay?”

“You know I wouldn’t…like, I wouldn’t want to be with him without you there, right?” you said softly.

Dougie’s expression shifted into a fond one.

“Sweetheart, I’m going to be with you the entire way. You don’t think it’ll be hot to watch you get absolutely railed by him?”

Oh fuck. The very thought of it made you squirm slightly in your seat – Dougie’s big eyes and warm hands directing you as Gravy takes his pleasure from your body? Getting your mouth all over Ryan’s body while Dougie encourages you? Both of them taking you together? Fuck.

“Whatever you’re thinking, yes,” Dougie teased.

“Are you sure?” you asked softly, needing to know, needing the confirmation that Dougie was into this as much as you were.

“Yes, I am. It’ll be fun,” Dougie said simply, smiling down at you.

Then his face looked a little more serious, making your breath hitch in your throat.

“Are you sure? None of this happens without your say-so. You have the power here,” Dougie said firmly, eyes as serious as his voice.

Oh fuck, what a man you had been gifted. “I’m sure. I am so sure,” you nodded.

You glanced back at Gravy, a wave of heat rushing through you as you realised he was still watching you, his tongue darting out over his bottom lip as he noticed you looking at him once more. Fuck, that’s a pretty mouth.

“I can’t believe we’re discussing this right next to where Jack and Ty are flicking paper straw wrappers at each other,” you murmured, cheeks heating up just enough.

Dougie just laughed, shrugging with a grin. “Hiding in plain sight, right?”

You rolled your eyes playfully, shaking your head as you smiled. There was still something playing on your mind though.

“When did you even bring this up with Gravy?” you murmured, looking up at your boyfriend with a raised eyebrow.

“About a week ago,”

“A whole week ago?” you said, surprised.

Dougie just shrugged. “He was staring blatantly at you after the game the other day, when you were wearing that tight little skirt, and I figured enough was enough,”

Oh wow. “That old thing?” you frowned.

“That old thing that cups your ass perfectly, yes,” Dougie mused.

You felt your cheeks heat up but you didn’t give him the satisfaction of responding. “And what, you were just like, want to fuck my girlfriend?” you asked dryly.

Dougie laughed loudly, tilting his head back slightly, and you couldn’t help the smile that spread across your face. He really was so beautiful.

“I was a little more tactful than that,” Dougie grinned, voice still low, “But maybe you should ask him yourself what I said,”

“Oh it’s like that huh?”

“It’s exactly like that,” Dougie smirked.

Such a tease.

“Then what are we waiting for?” you said slowly, sliding your hand high over your boyfriend’s thigh.

The sharp intake of breath you heard from him made everything worth it. Instead of waiting for an answer, you looked over at Gravy, who was watching the two of you so intently that you wondered why no-one had noticed, why no-one had said anything. Oh well, it made things easier for you anyway. Without saying a word, you locked eyes with Gravy, and tilted your head ever so slightly towards the front door. He just smiled. Easy, just like Dougie had said.

“What’s the plan on getting out of here?” you murmured to your boyfriend.

He just smirked. Oh boy.

“We’re going to make a move guys,” he suddenly announced, gesturing at Jack and Ty to move out of the way.

“Boo, already?” PK jeered.

Dougie just grinned sharply, earning cheers, to which you groaned. Men. “Some of us have someone to celebrate with,”

That earned a mixture of more cheers and more boos from around the booth, but they did shuffle out of the way to let you both out – and in the commotion, Gravy somehow slipped out as well, already a few metres ahead of you as you walked towards the exit. Huh. Had they planned that too?

Gravy was already waiting outside on the pavement, phone in hand when the two of you joined him.

“Hi,” he murmured, looking down at you with a smile.

“Hi,” you replied, a little more shyly that you had anticipated.

“Are you going all shy on us, babe?” Dougie teased.

“I guess you’ll find out,” you shot back, winking at Gravy.

The dark-haired man in question just laughed. “Good thing we don’t have to wait long for an uber then,” he mused, wiggling his phone.

Dougie just grinned, sliding an arm around your waist. The wait didn’t take long, as Gravy promised, and the ride back to your apartment felt like a blur. You sat in the back seat between the two gentle giants, Dougie’s hand planted firmly on your thigh, but Ryan’s own thigh was pressed against yours, aligned from the hip like a hot brand, like a promise. Before you knew it, you were walking through the front door of your apartment, Gravy ahead of you, Dougie closely behind, and your heart started beating a little faster. This was really happening. He was really here. You were really about to live out an incredible fantasy, alongside your boyfriend. How were you this lucky?

“I suppose there’s no point in asking if anyone wants a drink?” you mused, toeing off your shoes.

“Maybe after,” Dougie smirked.

Gravy just stayed silent, toeing off his shoes too, eyes never leaving you.

“You know, when Dougie asked me why I was staring at you last week, I almost had a heart attack,” Gravy admitted suddenly.

“That’s what you said?” you said, raising an eyebrow up at your boyfriend.

Dougie just shrugged, nonplussed. “I wanted to know what his intentions were,”

“It’s not every day that a teammate invites me to a threesome when I thought he was going to kick my ass,” Gravy mused.

“Dougie,” you sighed, “Really?”

“What? I had to have a little fun with it. Especially since I intend for you to have a lot of fun,” Dougie smirked.

“You’re okay with this, right?” Gravy asked, looking right at you.

The concern in his voice startled you a little, but his eyes were so genuine. You couldn’t imagine a situation where Dougie would ever try to coerce you into doing something you didn’t want to do – he really wasn’t that kind of guy – but that fact that Gravy was checking before making a move? Oh yes, you were going to reward that.

“I am 100% on board. Are you?” you replied, grinning.

Finally, a hint of a blush raised on Gravy’s cheeks, and you grinned a little more, Dougie just laughing.

“Babe, I told you, his eyes follow you too,” Dougie teased.

Gravy groaned but shrugged. You bit your bottom lip, trying to hide your excitement. You always had liked a man who could admit what he wanted.

“And what do you get out of it?” Gravy said, looking at Dougie.

“My girl gets to live out a fantasy, I get to indulge in a little voyeurism, and we all have an incredibly hot evening. Plus I get to show off exactly how lucky I am. I’m secure in myself and our relationship to share her, and I like to give,” Dougie said simply.

The surety in his voice sent tingles down your spine, a warmth filling your body that you hadn’t expected. You already knew everything he said, but to hear it out loud? Fuck.

“Seeing as we’re all onboard then…how about we move this to the bedroom?” you said confidently.

“You know what you want, huh?” Gravy said, a little breathless.

“Oh you have no idea,” Dougie grinned.

“When I see two incredibly hot guys who both want me, how can I not let my imagination run wild?” you shot back.

Gravy’s lips parted slightly, Dougie’s eyes just darkening with want, and you grinned. Without saying another word, you walked towards the bedroom, not waiting for them to follow you. You knew they would – how could they not? Sure enough, only moments after you walked through your bedroom door, their two looming figures passed through the doorway too.

Now that you were here though, you didn’t know where to start. It would be a lie to say you hadn’t thought of this before, imagined in your wildest dreams what you would do, but now that you were faced with the reality? There were so many options to take.

“Gravy, I…”

“Ryan, please,” he interrupted softly, quirking an eyebrow, “seeing as we’re going to be more…intimate than nicknames,”

Your breath hitched in your throat, and your found yourself nodding before you could even think. Out of the corner of your eye you could hear Dougie laugh softly, but just barely. Gravy…Ryan was just so mesmerising – there was just something about him that captivated your full attention how that his eyes were linked with yours. Holy fuck.

“Now that we’re all better acquainted…” Dougie teased.

You laughed and nudged Dougie with your shoulder, before looking back at Gravy. Ryan. Here goes nothing.

“Will you sit down on the bed for me, Ryan?” you asked softly.

He did so without saying a word. Now it was Dougie’s turn to watch intently, as you straddled Ryan’s lap. The dark-haired man inhaled sharply, his hands resting on your hips as if on instinct. Fuck, he was even more beautiful up close. These eyes! Fuck. You wasted no time in pressing your lips softly to his, one hand coming up to cup his face. Ryan made a soft sound, the softest of moans, his hands gripping onto your hips a little tighter as he kissed you slowly, tongue gently twining with yours in a way that sent sparks through your body. Fuck. Fuck. Tonight was going to be amazing if this was just the start.

“That’s real pretty babe,”

The low cadence of Dougie’s voice made you moan into Ryan’s mouth, fingers tugging lightly on Ryan’s hair like you’d dreamt of, earning a moan from Ryan in response.

“How about we all lose a little clothing, hmm?”

Oh fuck, yes, this was exactly what you wanted. Ryan’s hands and mouth on you, Dougie’s voice directing. This was heaven. This was a dream. This was…oh. Ryan broke the kiss with a huff, pulling away just far enough to rapidly unbutton his shirt, tugging it open to reveal a densely muscled chest, a pale blank canvas just waiting for a bite or three.

“Fuck you’re pretty,” you gasped, hands resting on his shoulder as you took in the sight.

“I could say the same about you,” Ryan mused, his eyes a little wild.

“She’s even prettier without clothes on,” Dougie teased.

You looked back over your shoulder and stuck your tongue out at him, earning a laugh from both men. Well if that’s what they wanted…

“Oh fuck,” Ryan groaned.

You just grinned down at him now you were standing up, silently guiding his hands to the bottom of your dress. “Help a girl out?” you asked innocently.

Dougie huffed out a laugh, shaking his head out of the corner of your eye as Ryan slowly slid your dress up your thighs, fingertips leaving burning trails in their wake, until the dress bunched up under your breasts. You lifted the rest of the material up yourself, grinning widely at the groan from the man still sitting on the bed as your bare breasts were revealed to him, leaving you in just a small pair of panties.

“Babe, you’re going to kill him before we even get started,” Dougie teased, coming up to stand right behind you.

You licked your bottom lip as Dougie’s hands slid to cover over where Ryan’s had gripped only moments ago, the two of you taking in the sight of his teammate sitting on the bed still, shirt still on but open, his suit pants visibly tented in a hot line. Fuck.

“Maybe Ryan had better catch up then,” you murmured, eyes remaining on the prize.

Ryan let out a shaky breath, eyes never leaving you as Dougie started kissing down your neck, your eyes not leaving Ryan as he slid out of his shirt, letting it drop to the carpet carelessly. A little better…but he could do more than that.

“And your pants,” you said firmly.

“Babe…” Dougie murmured, “Ease him in, no?”

“You two arrange this between the two of you, and don’t expect me to take what I want?” you shot back, only half-teasing.

“I can handle it,” Ryan insisted, eyes filled with nothing but want.

Oh you had no doubt about that, that was for certain.

“Keep going then. I’m feeling a little underdressed,” you mused.

Dougie laughed, stepping back away from you slightly, making you pout until you realised that he was finally taking off his clothes too. It was then that Ryan stood up, towering over you, his hands deftly undoing his belt and zipper until his pants dropped to the ground. Your jaw dropped slightly as he shoved his underwear to the ground too, stepping fully out of his clothes to bear himself to you completely. Fuck.

“Holy fuck Ryan,” you breathed.

Your eyes fell to the hard line of his thick cock, straining and pearling at the tip already, Ryan’s chest heaving slightly as he fought to control himself. Fuck. Those long strong legs, solid torso, and perfect cock, all for you to enjoy? Fuck.

“Go on babe, take what you want,” Dougie murmured.

Ryan’s eyes darted to where your boyfriend was standing behind you, before he sat down on the bed, shuffling back to sit up against the pillows. His feet came up to plant on the bed, thighs parted wide enough to display himself fully, a quiet confidence in his figure. It was all you could do not to rub your thighs together, your core already damp and aching, something you knew Dougie had noticed.

“You know, Ryan, she’s got a spectacular mouth. Do you want it?” Dougie said softly.

Holy fuck.

“Yeah. Yeah I do,” Ryan said, voice calm despite the wildness in his eyes.

You whined softly, crawling up the bed to lie between Ryan’s thighs, eyes focused on nothing but the hardness in front of you.

“Can I?” you asked, hands resting on his thigh.

You didn’t need to look over at Dougie to know he was grinning.

“Yeah, go for it sweetheart,” Ryan murmured.

Sweetheart. Oh fuck. As if this man couldn’t get more perfect. You kept your eyes locked with Ryan’s gorgeous greys as you took his tip into your mouth, licking up the wetness already gathered, earning a sharp moan.

“Told you,” Dougie grinned.

You could feel him move onto the bed but you paid him no attention, focusing on the man in front of you, whose thighs were shaking in an effort to maintain control. All that power, all that strength, and he was holding himself back for you? The more you lowered your head, sucking gently, the more Ryan moaned, more and more and more until your tongue was lapping at his base and his hand flew to tangle in your hair.

“Fuck. Fuck,” he gasped, body filled with tension.

“Incredible, isn’t she?” Dougie murmured.

You moaned at Dougie’s proud words, and in turn Ryan trembled, moaning himself.

“If you can hold on, you can fuck her after I do,” Dougie grinned, sharp and a little mean.

Holy fuck, what an image. Yes, that. That is what you wanted. You slowly pulled your mouth off of Ryan’s cock (damn that boy was proportional), and glanced desperately over your shoulder to look at your boyfriend.

“Babe please,” you whimpered, “I want it,”

Ryan gasped out a soft moan, hips bucking up, and Dougie just smirked.

“Then go back to showing Ryan how good you are,” he encouraged.

“You two are going to destroy me,” Ryan groaned, thumb running over your bottom lip.

Yeah he really had no idea what he was getting himself in for.

“But what a way to go,” Dougie laughed.

And with that, Dougie tore open the crotch of your panties, making both you and Ryan gasp.

“You animal,” you groaned, wetness pulsing in your exposed core, knowing that Dougie was watching.

“You love it,” Dougie murmured, not taking his eyes off you.

“Fuck,” Ryan gasped, mostly to himself.

As Dougie reached over into the bedside table for lube, you finally took Ryan back into your mouth, losing yourself in the motions as his hands gently held the hair out of your face, eyes watching you so intently, so darkly, that you knew you’d never get this sight out of your mind. How could you ever, now that you knew what the blush looked like staining his pale skin?

“Ready babe?” Dougie murmured.

You just groaned as his tip nudged against your entrance, tilting your hips back towards him. But Dougie didn’t budge.

“Words, babe, you know the rules,” he said firmly.

Ryan gasped as you removed your mouth from him again, watching your spit-slicked lips in awe.

“Please, Dougie, I need you,” you insisted.

Dougie smiled indulgently, and pushed into you. The slow steady slide of him left you breathless and thoughtless as always, the stretch overwhelming in its pleasure. Ryan just watched silently as your boyfriend moved, hand resting on top of your head where it was resting against his thigh, his hard cock resting on your cheek in turn.

“You have no idea how good you look, babe,” Dougie grunted, hips finally resting against the back of your thighs.

“Then why don’t you show me?” you said simply.

Dougie grinned, waiting until you had taken Ryan back into your mouth to start moving, slowly at first to let you adjust, before the steady increase had you moaning around the cock in your mouth, Ryan moaning in turn. As the sound of slapping thighs and heavy breathing filled the room, you let the motion of Dougie’s thrusts guide you back and forth on Ryan’s length, losing yourself in the feeling and the emotions. This was everything. You gave in to the pleasure rushing through your body, winding higher and higher until you couldn’t take it anymore, and you had to pull off of Ryan to gasp loudly.

“Babe, please,” you whined.

“Watch her,” Dougie said firmly.

Your eyes shot up to link with Ryan’s as Dougie’s strong fingers circled your clit, and you crashed through your peak with the sight of Ryan’s lustfilled expression. Ryan was supporting your upper body when your vision cleared, and the fog in your mind dissipated just enough to gasp as Dougie shot hard inside of you, filling you with his heat.

“Fuck that was so hot,” Ryan groaned, running a hand through his hair.

“It’s not over yet,” Dougie panted, slowly easing out of you.

You whined at the emptiness, even more so as his seed dripped out of you, Ryan’s cheeks just heating up in a fierce blush all over again.

“Are you sure?” he asked, looking down at you, “I won’t be too much?”

“You could never be too much. Exactly enough,” you grinned.

Dougie huffed a laugh, helping remove the tattered remains of your underwear before turning you over onto your back as the two guys switched positions, and as soon as Ryan was kneeling between your thighs his eyes darkened even more.

“Fuck, you look so good,” he murmured, thumb running over your upper thigh.

“Yeah?” you murmured, heart beating a little faster.

“After all of this, you’re still shy?” Dougie teased, easing himself to sit upright on the pillows next to you.

“There’s no way a woman this beautiful could be shy, no way,” Ryan grinned, spreading your thighs a little more.

Another wave of heat rushed through your body, even more so as Ryan’s hands slid up your torso, those long fingers cupping your breasts gently enough to make you moan. Dougie laughed and reached over into the bedside table again, but it was all you could do to look up at Ryan, body writhing ever so slightly under his gentle ministrations, and as soon as his fingers pinched your nipples you moaned loudly, earning a grin from both men.

“Yeah, she’s ready,” Dougie said, voice low, making you shiver, “Go nice and slowly,”

He handed Ryan a condom, and you watched with baited breath as Ryan sheathed himself, knowing that he was watching Dougie’s seed drip out of you where your thighs were still spread.

“Beautiful,” Ryan murmured.

And with that, he slowly entered you, moving slowly slowly slowly until you were full, your head spinning and your chest tight. Fuck. Fuck.

“You feel so good, holy shit,” Ryan groaned, shaking in an effort to stay still.

You could whine, hand flailing at your side until it linked with one of Dougie’s, grounding you from the overstimulation.

“Go for it. I know what she can handle,” Dougie said firmly.

You moaned at his words, head nodding eagerly in agreement, and Ryan huffed a laugh before following Dougie’s orders. Knowing that Dougie was watching over you, knowing that he knew your body as well as you did, you let yourself loose to the pleasure, wrapping your legs around Ryan’s waist as he started moving, your free hand curling round to clutch at his shoulder.

Your body was consumed with fire, your blood burning with the hits of electricity Ryan’s gave you, his heavy breaths and moans filling your ears until you could hear nothing else. Nothing else, but Dougie’s voice.

“Come on sweetheart, don’t you want to let him know how good you feel?” Dougie murmured.

You couldn’t help but to gasp, the harsh sound choking off into a moan as your boyfriend laughed softly. He definitely knew you too well.

“Gravy, please!” you wailed.

“What did I say about calling me Gravy?” Ryan grunted.

Oh fuck. Oh fuck.

“Ryan, Ryan, please,” you whimpered.

“There’s my good girl,” Dougie murmured.

Your breath hitched in your throat, your back arching at the praise, earning a particularly hard thrust from Ryan, making you moan as he hit you just right.

“So it’s like that, huh?” Ryan said.

“It’s exactly like that. My girl thrives on praise,” Dougie said, his grin telling his teammate exactly how proud he was.

“I can work with that,”

And work with it Ryan did. He sped his movements up, managing to light you up every time, sweet murmured praise filling your ears until your head was spinning all over again. You could feel yourself climbing that peak again, and you knew Dougie could tell by the way you were gripping his hand.

“Are you going to get there again for us, babe?” he murmured.

Ryan groaned into your ear in surprise, leaning back far enough to look at you.

“Are you going to be good for us?” Ryan asked breathlessly.

Oh fuck.

Ryan just grinned, shifting his weight until he could reach between your bodies, finding your clit with confidence, making you moan loudly.

“Dougie, fuck, Ryan!” you wailed.

And your legs shook as Ryan took you over the edge, pleasure coursing so fiercely through your body that your vision went white. You clenched down hard on Ryan, earning a cut off moan as he stiffened and hit his own peak, circling his hips to chase the feeling as the two of you slowly came down from your highs. It was all you could do to attempt to catch your breath, chest heaving as Ryan slowly pulled out of you. You whined at the empty ache, Dougie just smiling as he ducked his head down to press a soft kiss to your lips, Ryan shuffling off the bed. It was only when Dougie broke the kiss that you saw Ryan re-enter the room, condom gone but a damp wash cloth in his hand.

You bit your bottom lip as he wiped your body over gently, a shy smile on his own face, but you laughed as Dougie took the washcloth from his hand and chucked it on the dresser, Ryan’s eyebrows shooting up in surprise as you beckoned him back to bed. But he came and reclined next to you, hesitant but interested, Dougie just smiling.

“Stay until morning,” you murmured, patting his chest.

“Are you sure?” Ryan asked softly.

“Yeah, I’m sure. I didn’t get you to come in my mouth or get your mouth on me,” you yawned.

Ryan whined sharply at the promise of your words, Dougie just laughing softly.

“Menace,” Dougie mused.

“You love me anyway,” you said, smiling sleepily.

“That I do,” Dougie said, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

What a night. And you knew it was only the beginning. 

[don-lichterman]

Time To Assess The NHL’s 2022-23 Playoff Picture

Time To Assess The NHL’s 2022-23 Playoff Picture

The Seattle Kraken and New Jersey Devils are both in playoff positions at the NHL’s all-important … [+] Thanksgiving break. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Getty Images After ceding the sports airwaves to football on Thanksgiving Day, the NHL returns on Black Friday with a full-day, 14-game schedule. This year, the NHL Thanksgiving Showdown will be broadcast on TNT — a double-header that…

[oswednesday]

the new forum is a SHAMAN KING one in 2019 like Wow and its like new that the plot just started there’s a fair amount of activity with a social emphasis in the rules of No Drama sometimes i roll mine eyes at that but in this discord age that means i wont be expected to be super chatty in the server to maintain activity (or,,,thats what i assume anyway) it has light stats (basically the two canon ones from the series) which im kiiiinda wary about as it is a tournament series but the idea of being scaleable and having battles more focused on roleplaying and pre-arranged agreements Sounds Aggreable to me! they also have a nonbinary section for characters and while there is only one nonbinary character their spirit partner is the jersey devil so thats already really freakin good, the site is a liiittle hard to navigate but it has a modern layout (big topic areas, lots of attention to headers and graphics with posts in tiny graphic boxes) whichll appeal to people looking to join, its not the kinda thing im super into but isnt that kinda like on hgtv when the house hunters are like I Dont Like The Paint Color only i like the paint color so maybe its the houses layout which is more serious, maybe the wall paper is a better similie metaphor w/e like the colors and site skin are soo nice and calming despite being like little bit of an off white its like blue grey and like one of those zen coloring books, its rating isnt triple 3 but they do have it rated m in the rules but there isnt an age marker so i hope its 18+

[koobrina]

new jersey devils headers

✶ like or rebelog if u used !

[investmart007]

MOSCOW | The Latest: Coach Loew concedes Germany looked nervous

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/eQa69w

MOSCOW | The Latest: Coach Loew concedes Germany looked nervous

MOSCOW (AP) — The Latest on Sunday at the World Cup (all times local): 9:30 p.m.

Germany didn’t play the way it usually plays. Coach Joachim Loew isn’t sure why.

MOSCOW, Mexico’s skillful, World Cup champion, No German team ,  offered a guarantee, the group stage, daunting enough, captain Marcelo

Stymied by Mexico’s skillful forwards and speedy counterattacks, the defending World Cup champion played a sloppy first half, failed to take its chances and ultimately conceded a goal that held up in Mexico’s 1-0 victory.

Loew says “We looked nervous and we were not able to play the way we wanted to play. We will have to analyze why that was the case.”

Germany is now in an unfamiliar position. No German team had lost a World Cup opener since 1982. In the four previous World Cups, Germany won its opening matches by a combined score of 20-2.

For a defending World Cup champion, however, the position is more familiar. Three of the past four have failed to make it out of the group stage.

Reminded of that statistic, Loew offered a guarantee.

“We will not suffer that fate,” he said. “We will make it to the next round.” ____ 9:22 p.m.

Philippe Coutinho has scored for Brazil in the 20th minute, firing the ball past Yann Sommer after the Swiss goalkeeper failed to stop a push forward from Neymar and captain Marcelo. The Barcelona midfielder sent his powerful strike curling into the top right corner of the Swiss goal. ___

8:37 p.m.

It’s daunting enough for a smaller country with less of a track record to take on a team like England. But Tunisia’s taking pressure to another level.

Coach Nabil Maaloul has said ahead of Monday’s opening match against England that his team is carrying not only the hopes of 12 million Tunisians but also those of Africa as a whole and of the Arab world.

African teams have made a disappointing start to the World Cup.

Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria have lost their first matches. Senegal plays Poland on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Maaloul said England players are having to contend with higher expectations. That’s why he expects the match in Volgograd to be tight.

— Associated Press writer Pan Pylas reported from Volgograd. ___ 8:20 p.m.

Cheers erupted across Mexico as the national team bested Germany in its first match of the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament.

Police have encircled the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City in anticipation of throngs of fans who traditionally flock there to celebrate big soccer wins. Immediately after the game, some danced in front of the monument. Drivers honked horns and exuberant families ran through the streets waving the Mexican flag and twirling green jerseys in the air.

Mexico beat Germany 1-0, with Hirving Lozano scoring the winning goal. It was the 22-year-old winger’s first World Cup goal. ___ 8:08 p.m.

Brazil coach Tite has stuck to Neymar and core players who have performed well in recent matches. Neymar and Willian will be flanking Gabriel Jesus in attack to kick off the five-time champions’ campaign in Russia.

As expected, Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic fielded a defensive side with Haris Seferovic as the lone striker, and formation that can provide a two-line defense in front of goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Lineups:

Brazil: Alisson, Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Casemiro, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar.

Switzerland: Yann Sommer, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Fabian Schaer, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Xherdan Shaqiri, Blerim Dzemaili, Steven Zuber, Haris Seferovic. ___ 7:51 p.m.

Mexico has upset Germany 1-0 in their opening World Cup game, leaving the defending champions with a tougher task to qualify for the knockout stages.

In his World Cup debut, Hirving Lozano scored Mexico’s winning goal in the 35th minute, picking up Javier Hernandez’s pass inside the penalty area and dodging Mesut Ozil before firing past Manuel Neuer from 10 yards.

After Lozano’s goal, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa pulled off a spectacular save to keep the score level, palming Toni Kroos’ shot onto the crossbar.

Mexico pulled back into a more defensive formation midway through the second half as key players tired and had to withstand heavy pressure from Germany.

Germany is bidding to become the first team to retain the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. It hadn’t lost an opening game since 1982. ___ 7:35 p.m.

Rafa Marquez has gone on as a second-half substitute for Mexico to become just the third man to play in five World Cups.

The 39-year-old Marquez entered the game in the 72nd minute with Mexico leading defending champion Germany 1-0. He joins fellow Mexican Antonio Carbajal and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus in the elite group.

He played four matches in each World Cup as Mexico was eliminated in the round of 16 each time. ____ 7:15 p.m.

A Colombia fan cycled alone for more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) across seven European countries to reach Russia to watch his national team play in the World Cup. The 43-year-old Daniel Quiroga initially was going to make the journey with a brother and a friend, but the other two backed out of the adventure.

Four years ago, Quiroga rode from Colombia to Brazil to the 2014 World Cup with the pair, but was on a motorcycle for that journey.

After the tournament ended, he set a harder challenge for Russia and chose a bicycle.

He started out in Portugal and went through Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia before making it to Russia.

He wore a Colombia jersey signed by members of his family and says, with a laugh, that “those signatures gave me even more energy.” ___ 6:55 p.m.

Mexican fans have chanted a homophobic slur at Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the World Cup game in Moscow.

FIFA has repeatedly fined the Mexican football federation over the chant. It rang out at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium in the 24th minute of Mexico’s game against Germany on Sunday with the score at 0-0.

Fans in Mexico use the chant to insult opposing goalkeepers as they take a goal kick. Widely considered a slur, some argue there is no discriminatory intent.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport canceled two fines against Mexico in November, ruling the chant was “insulting” but not meant to offend, though it left other fines in force. ___ 6:45 p.m.

Germany is in an unfamiliar position for a World Cup opener — trailing at halftime.

Hirving Lozano scored from 14 yards out in the 35th minute to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in Moscow. He took a pass from Javier Hernandez and wrong-footed Mesut Ozil to score his eighth international goal.

Both sides put pressure on the goalkeepers in a high-energy first half at Luzhniki Stadium. Germany had five shots on goal to Mexico’s four. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stopped a header just short of the goal line.

Germany has won its last seven World Cup openers, outscoring opponents 20-2 in its last four. ____ 6:40 p.m.

Hirving Lozano has wrong-footed Germany’s Mesut Ozil and scored from about 14 yards out to give Mexico a 1-0 lead over the defending World Cup champions.

Lozano took a pass from Javier Hernandez and got around Ozil and had a clear path to the net in the 35th minute. It was his eighth international goal.

Both teams had several chances before the opening goal. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved a header, and Germany later had two shots on goal in a 3-minute span.

Germany trailed only once in the last World Cup, 2-1 to Ghana, and has outscored opponents 20-2 in its past four World Cup openers. ___ 6:10 p.m.

Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez is not in the business of sugarcoating the truth ahead of his team’s historic World Cup debut.

He admits Panama has trouble scoring and says it will need a good day to have any chance against Belgium on Monday.

The blunt and honest Gomez doesn’t even hide his starting lineup, the normal procedure for coaches these days — even those trying to keep expectations minimal.

Asked if Panama could match Iceland’s draw with Argentina, he didn’t bother picking the right words. He says this Argentina “is not at the same level as Belgium right now.”

— AP Sports Writer Tim Booth reported from Sochi. ___ 5:50 p.m.

Belgium will keep defender Vincent Kompany on the 23-man roster for the World Cup even though it’s likely to be later in the group stage before the veteran sees the field.

Coach Roberto Martinez said Sunday he would not be making any roster changes. Kompany suffered a groin injury in a friendly against Portugal earlier this month and the Red Devils added Laurent Ciman to their camp as a precaution. Ciman was sent back to Brussels on Saturday to await final word on Kompany’s status.

Martinez says there is a stronger chance now of Kompany now appearing in the group stage and that his experience is important to have around the squad. ___ 4:55 p.m.

Aleksandar Kolarov’s curling free kick in the 56th minute has helped Serbia to a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in its World Cup opener.

Serbia, which missed out on the 2014 World Cup, had the early advantage in a tough group in Russia that includes five-time champion Brazil and Switzerland, who were set to play later Sunday in Rostov-on-Don.

After a scoreless first half, Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas withstood a barrage of Serbian challenges to open the second with the boisterous Costa Rican fans cheering him on at Samara Arena.

But after David Guzman was handed a yellow card, Kolarov curled the free kick over the wall and Navas, who plays for Real Madrid, was not able to reach it.

____ 4:35 p.m.

South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong has warned his players about the new replay system being used for the first time in the World Cup.

He’s telling them that the video assistant referee can’t be tricked.

Shin says “the players are aware of this. We are training the players.

There are 32 cameras that are targeting the pitch. So you might be able to fool the referee, but you cannot fool the cameras. The players know this, and that is something we have emphasized.”

Shin is famous for using some trickery in his tactics. But he says his players have been schooled about the new system, which will detect a dive or a faked contact with another player.

He says “the VAR has really come to the forefront and it’s become an important part of the game.” ___ 4:15 p.m.

Captain Aleksandar Kolarov has given Serbia a 1-0 lead against Costa Rica. His free kick curled over the wall and diving Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas wasn’t able to reach it before it sailed into the upper right corner in the 56th minute. The free kick came after a yellow card on Costa Rica’s David Guzman. ___ 3:48 p.m.

The opening half between Costa Rica and Serbia was back and forth, right from the start: Aleksandar Mitrovic’s header was off in the opening minute and moments later Marco Urena’s angled shot for Costa Rica was saved in the left corner by Vladimir Stojkovic.

Following a corner kick, David Guzman popped the ball to Giancarlo Gonzalez but his header sailed over the net in the 12th minute.

Branislav Ivanovic’s cross was knocked out of the box by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas three minutes later.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic challenged Navas in the 27th from just outside the box, but Navas fell on the ball.

Urena’s right-foot strike from outside the box in the 39th went over the bar. A short time later Calvo’s chance was wide, and Stojkovic gestured for his side to calm down.

Milinkovic-Savic’s bicycle kick from in front of goal was ruled offside in the 42nd. ____ 3:15 p.m.

Sweden coach Janne Andersson says one of his staff got into a closed South Korea training session and was asked to leave, leading to a squabble between the teams over spying ahead of their World Cup game on Monday.

Andersson says the staffer, who is entrusted with scouting the opposition, thought the practice session at South Korea’s pre-World Cup training camp in Austria was open. Andersson says the coach left when asked and “watched from more of a distance.”

The incident has created a frosty atmosphere between the teams ahead of their game in Nizhny Novgorod.

Andersson says his team analyzes all opponents and the incident has been overblown, but adds “it’s very important that we show respect for opponents … If it has been perceived in another way, we apologize.” ___ 2:40 p.m.

Veteran defender Branislav Ivanovic is set to become Serbia’s most capped international player when he starts against Costa Rica in the World Cup. It will be his 104th international appearance and Serbia’s first at the World Cup in eight years.

The former Chelsea star surpassed Dejan Stankovic, known as “Deki,” who played 103 games for the national team from 1998-2013, through three different eras: Yugoslavia, Serbia-Montenegro and finally Serbia.

Johan Venegas, Francisco Calvo and David Guzman will be making their World Cup debuts for Costa Rica. The rest of the Costa Rica starting lineup was involved in Brazil in 2014, when the team lost a quarterfinal match to Netherlands on penalties. ____ 2:20 p.m.

Midfielder Alan Dzagoev has ruled himself out of Russia’s two remaining World Cup group games because of injury.

Dzagoev hurt his left hamstring during Russia’s opening 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia and tells Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency he’s in pain when walking and will only resume light training Monday.

Dzagoev says “there’s nothing good about the biggest tournament going on without you. I hope I can still play. I hope to God that we make the knockout stages and maybe I’ll be able to play.”

Dzagoev has played 58 times for Russia and was expected to be a key player for the host nation at the World Cup. ___ 12:45 p.m.

Diego Maradona has given his version of an exchange with an Asian fan that witnesses perceived as racist.

British television staff working in Spartak Stadium in Moscow during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Iceland on Saturday reported seeing Maradona respond to South Korea fans calling his name.

On Twitter, BBC presenter Jacqui Oatley posted that Maradona “obliged with a smile, kiss and wave. Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture.”

In a Facebook message early Sunday, the Argentina great says he saw “an Asian boy wearing an Argentina T-shirt.”

He adds: “I, from afar, tried to tell them how nice it seemed to me that even the Asians cheer for us. And that’s all, guys, come on.”

FIFA statutes prohibit acts of discrimination by teams, officials and fans at games it organizes.

In a response to The Associated Press, FIFA refers to its anti-discrimination rules without commenting on the incident.

Maradona also apologizes for smoking a cigar in the VIP seats, despite a FIFA ban on smoking at World Cup stadiums. ___ 12:20 p.m.

Moscow police are investigating a taxi crash that injured eight people, including two Mexican World Cup fans, when the driver plowed into pedestrians on a sidewalk near Red Square.

Video circulating on Russian social media and some news websites showed the taxi veering onto the sidewalk Saturday and striking pedestrians. The source of the video was unclear.

City police released a video Sunday of an interrogation session with a man identified as the Kyrgyz taxi driver, in which he says he briefly fell asleep at the wheel in the crash and accidentally accelerated. It was unclear whether the man spoke under duress.

The man says he hadn’t slept in 20 hours, and ran away after the accident because he was afraid that angry bystanders would kill him. He was later detained.

Moscow police would not comment Sunday on whether the crash would affect security measures for the World Cup, which is being held in 11 Russian cities over the next month. Among the security concerns has been the possible use of vehicles as weapons.

The Mexican Embassy told The Associated Press that the two injured female fans met with embassy representatives and were not hospitalized. The Mexican national soccer teams plays against Germany on Sunday in Moscow.

By Associated Press

[thrashermaxey]

Catching Up

  I’m back, fresh off a two-week vacation, where I was almost completely out of touch with the hockey world. It was a nice break from work, but unfortunately, I did miss all but a couple of games and had no hockey news during that period.

  I did manage to catch parts of three games, one of which was a 4-3 victory for Washington over Columbus. Defenseman Zach Werenski was especially noticeable, even though he only had one goal in the loss. He has four points over his last six games and is on pace for 44 points. An outstanding rookie season last year saw him tally 11 goals and 47 points. Werenski already has nine goals in only 30 matches this season.

  Another Blue Jacket that had a good game was Pierre-Luc Dubois. The talented rookie registered two assists in 20:44 minutes of ice time, the highest number of minutes in a game so far in his young career. Over the last 10 games, he has nine points, playing more than 80 per cent of his even-strength ice time with Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson. Dubois started the season with only four points over his first 20 contests. He has dual C/LW eligibility and can provide some face-off wins. Dubois is owned in only 16 per cent of Yahoo leagues. The rookie would be a fantastic addition if he is available in any of your leagues.

  The second game of that Saturday night double-header was an Edmonton/Calgary tilt. As an Oiler fan, I was eagerly awaiting this game and saw the first Edmonton goal by Jesse Puljujarvi. Shortly after that, the television feed was changed to, I kid you not, a cricket match. I may not have mentioned that I was on a cruise ship where the majority of the bridge (who controlled the television feed) were huge cricket fans. My protestations went unheeded. Ah well, at least I got to watch one full game on Saturday night and my Oilers did ultimately prevail against the Flames.

  The New Jersey/Anaheim trade of Sami Vatanen for Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi came as a big surprise for me, but then again, I was not paying attention to the serious number of Duck forwards that are sidelined due to varying degrees of injury. At first blush, I like this deal for the Devils. Anytime you can grab a right-handed shooting defenseman that can play in your top four, I’m going to look at that as a win. Henrique isn’t exactly chopped liver, but he was on pace for 48 points with New Jersey. The early returns in Anaheim are looking good with six points in five matches (prior to last night’s tilt) for Henrique. Blandisi is simply a depth addition, which the Ducks are in dire need of at the forward position.

  I also missed a couple of big games from the Caps bruiser Tom Wilson. That also means he was on my bench in the two leagues I own the big galoot. Over his last 10 games, Wilson has nine points and his ice time has increased noticeably. He’s received north of 16 minutes per game in nine of the last 10 contests. Don’t forget that this guy was taken with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 entry draft. In his final year of junior hockey, Wilson tallied 23 goals and 58 points in 48 games, a 39 goal, 99-point pace. He’s found himself on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Wilson will never be a natural scorer, but he sure has all the makings of a dominant roto league performer if he can continue producing on that line.

  The Bolts Tyler Johnson has nine points over his last seven games. He’s been splitting his even-strength shifts playing with Steven Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov and Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat. Interestingly, Yanni Gourde has seen his ice time decrease over the same period, yet he still has six points in his last seven contests. He has played most often with Alex Killorn and Cory Conacher. Gourde is better suited to secondary scoring, while Johnson has the offensive chops to continue putting up points in a top-six role…at least until his next injury.

  Talk about a frustrating player to own. Alex Galchenyuk obviously has skill, but his numbers this season are not what his owners (and the Habs) were hoping for. With 17 points in 31 games, he is on pace for 45 points. Last year, he had 44 points in 61 contests, a 59-point pace and the season before, he recorded 56 points. His ice time over the last 10 matches has ranged from a high of 18:15 to a low of 9:18. It’s clear to me that a change of address might be the best thing for the 23-year-old forward.

  Since being recalled from the minors, Daniel Carr has at least one point in each of his five contests and seven points overall. In fact, over the last two weeks, Carr has one more point in two less games than Max Pacioretty. Carr’s linemates have been Nicolas Deslauriers and Byron Froese and they are obviously not going to be relied upon to provide consistent scoring. Some of you might be able to ride the hot hand, but you had better be in a really deep league.

  One player to keep an eye on could be the Panthers Denis Malgin. He has received at least 15 minutes of ice time over each of his last four contests while recording a point in three of those four matches. He has been playing primarily with Vincent Trocheck and Jamie McGinn. Malgin has 14 points in 13 AHL games this season, so the under-sized Swiss native has shown that he can put up points, but has yet to prove himself as a scorer in the NHL.

  Thanks for reading.

from All About Sports http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/eastern-edge/catching-up/

[f3nd1musdotcom]

Resurgent St. John's seeks upset of No. 16 Arizona St.

Resurgent St. John’s seeks upset of No. 16 Arizona St.

LOS ANGELES — The 2017 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic triple-header tips off with a cross-country matchup between No. 16 Arizona State and St. John’s on Friday at Staples Center. For Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley — a product of New Jersey now building a program in the West — Friday’s game offers a flavor of… (more…)

[becbibliophile]

Taming Mr. Flirt, a sexy all-new standalone from A.M. Madden & Joanne Schwehm is coming September 12th!

Taming Mr. Flirt by A.M. Madden & Joanne Schwehm Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Date: September 12th, 2017

Here’s a tip: never say never.

It all started in a barn, rolling around in the hay with a hot brunette. When I hooked up at my best friend’s wedding with the bride’s best friend, I had hay in places it should never be. And how my bowtie ended up around my dick was an entirely different story. I’ll give you a minute to consider the possibilities.

That first romp set the tone, and each sexual encounter with her that followed became more intense. The fact that all my fantastic orgasms were coming at the hand of one woman baffled me.

A lifetime of observation taught me that monogamy equated to boredom. Variety was the spice of life, in and out of the bedroom. I enjoyed the company of a sexy, smart, confident woman. It was my kryptonite. I was a master flirt, and my sexual skills were unrivaled.

Until her.

With this woman, I had met my match.  

Her carnal appetite a perfect match for mine, and she also taught me a few things along the way.

She called me Mr. Flirt, and could bring me to my knees at every turn.

Lesson learned: Sex always trumps sanity.

I spun back around, taking her hand with me and started around the rink until we made it to the small break in the railing. With a tilt of my head and a small tug, she knew I wanted off the ice.

Rubber mats greeted the blades of our skates. As if we were marching rather than walking, we carefully made our way to the dimly lit corner of the rink. The small corner was the perfect place for what I had planned.

“What are we doing back here? I could go for that drink now.” She started toward the opposite end where the bar was located.

“Stay.” Her eyes glanced up at me. I lowered my mouth to her ear. “Turn and face the rink.” Vanessa’s brows furrowed, but she did as I asked. “Put your hands on the railing, and don’t move until I tell you to.”

Her head craned back. “Okay, but why?”

The strobe lights were back in full force. I pressed my body against her back and kissed the curve of her neck. “I’m going to fuck you.” Even in the dimly lit rink, I could see her white-knuckled grip on the railing. “Do you remember when Jude and Brae almost walked in on us fucking in the barn? Do you remember what you said?”

“Something about getting caught was hot?”

“Yes. You said the thought of getting caught in public was a complete turn-on. When you said that, the thought of fucking you in public made my dick stone hard. I know I’m turned on right now… are you, Nessa?”

“Very.”

“Good. Ready?” A short quick nod and her ass shifting backward into my crotch could be compared to the effects of a green flag for a Formula One race car.

Preorder on iBooks: https://goo.gl/XEtjZV

Preorder on Kobo: http://bit.ly/2vORkWa

Preorder the Paperback Today:  http://amzn.to/2tK2qHu

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/hVjyTL

About A.M. Madden:

A.M. Madden is a USA Today bestselling published author with Loveswept/Random House as well as Ever After Romance.

A.M. is a wife, a mother, an avid reader of romance novels, and now an author.

“It’s all about the HEA.”

A.M. Madden is the author of the popular Back-Up Series, as well as several other contemporary romances. She is also a published author with Loveswept/Random House.

Her debut novel was Back-up, the first in The Back-Up Series. In Back-Up, A.M.’s main character Jack Lair caused readers to swoon. They call themselves #LairLovers, and have been faithful supporters to Jack, as well to the rest of his band, Devil’s Lair.

A.M. truly believes that true love knows no bounds. In her books, she aspires to create fun, sexy, realistic romances that will stay with you after the last page has been turned. She strives to create characters that the reader can relate to and feel as if they know personally.

A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she loves getting lost in a good book. She also uses every free moment of her time writing, while spending quality time with her three handsome men. A.M. is a Gemini and an Italian Jersey girl, but despite her Zodiac sign, nationality, or home state, she is very easy going.

She loves the beach, loves to laugh, and loves the idea of love.

Connect with A.M. Madden:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorammadden/

Twitter: @ammadden1

GoodReads: https://goo.gl/bcGFTv

Join her Reader Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/893157480742443/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ammadden1/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annmadden585/

https://ammadden.com

About Joanne Schwehm:

Joanne is a mother and wife and loves spending time with her family. She’s an avid sports watcher and enjoys the occasional round of golf.

Joanne loves to write and read romance. She believes everyone should have romance in their lives and hopes her books bring joy and happiness to readers who enjoy modern day fairy tales and breathless moments.

She is an independent romance author and has written several contemporary romance novels, including The Prescott Series, Ryker, A Heart’s Forgiveness, The Critic and The Chance series.

Joanne looks forward to sharing more love stories in her future novels.

Connect with Joanne:

FB: www.facebook.com/joanneschwehm

FB Group Page: www.facebook.com/groups/joanneschwehmsreaders/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JSchwehmBooks

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nyy2fan/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jschwehmbooks/

Spotify: www.open.spotify.com/user/1293937868

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCozpgcntD2yLP9QtM09XuYQ

GR Reading Group: www.goodreads.com/group/show/156533-joanne-schwehm-s-romantic-reading-friends

Newsletter: www.eepurl.com/cgUvSf

  Check out Taming Mr. Flirt by @Ammadden1 and @JSchwenmBooks on the Blog. #Excerpt #Sept12 Taming Mr. Flirt, a sexy all-new standalone from A.M. Madden & Joanne Schwehm is coming September 12th!

[koobrina]

hi! can you do some new jersey devils headers, please? ty!!

hereee sweet 🙃