CHAPTER 26. A FUNNY COMEDY.

January 26, 2017.

Shortly before the strictly designated time—shortly before the time of the meeting—Jold Gaspar was the first to cross the threshold of the perfectly lit changing room: for now, though it must be admitted only briefly, there was only solitude in it—the solitude of a very talented and, what's more, young striker for "Ephialtes." No more and no less than in the most natural way, he directed his keen gaze toward the pre-assigned, or, if you will, pre-prepared maroon jersey for his being. Jold Gaspar immediately rushed toward that number whose, undoubtedly, extraordinarily exceptional whiteness could not help but attract his keen gaze in those moments to its peculiar and, at the same time, exceedingly ordinary nature—the source of that truly amazing whiteness was the number "6": it was the first perfect number—it was the number of labor and creation. With indescribable inspiration, Jold Gaspar touched this number with his index finger and suddenly felt a special kind of excitement—that was the number of times he, it must be mentioned not without difficulty, had scored against the opponents of "Ephialtes" in this youth tournament, which was held in exceptionally high regard by the entire football community: it was this number that allowed him to lead the list of best strikers in the aforementioned competition. Unable to contain all the contradictory emotions that were currently dominating his being, Jold Gaspar instantly settled in the place predetermined for him by fate itself and immediately, but consciously, plunged into those exceedingly sweet football memories that were a most direct and integral part of his not only past but also future sporting life: there, a moment, and he, finding himself within the penalty area, with sophisticated ease sends the ball into the far bottom corner of the goal; there, another moment, and he, with exceptional technique overcoming the rough skill of the defenders, with a crushing shot from twenty-seven meters sends the ball directly under the crossbar; there, another moment, and he, having outplayed everyone in the aerial battle, directed the football into the bottom left corner of the goal; there, another moment, and he, balancing on the verge of offside, having received a skillfully measured diagonal pass, swiftly broke away, one-on-one with the opposing team's goalkeeper—the result was still the same; there, a moment, and his thoughts... and his thoughts were already entirely devoted to the upcoming semi-final match. It was he, Jold Gaspar, who, in the opinion of many experts, officials, and journalists, was supposed to be the key figure in this semi-final match—it was he, in the opinion of the aforementioned individuals, who was destined for the role of the hero in this struggle. It should be noted that Jold Gaspar was him—even if it was only in his mind, even if it was only in his consciousness... he was him: sometimes such an attitude of one player is able to predetermine the outcomes of football events—he was perfectly aware of this.

Another moment, and now, the extraordinarily motivated Jold Gaspar, who a few moments earlier had been remembering past games and thinking about the upcoming one, was listening with indescribable attention to every word, both spoken and unspoken, of his good coach—that very coach who had made him the best striker... that very coach who, it must be admitted not without the help of an empirical path, had found for him, Jold Gaspar, the most favorable place under the sun, or, if you will, on the football field.

"... perhaps someone is now laughing at all of us and at our game, but we must, we are obligated to do so that we are admired after the game! What is the semi-final for each of us? It's by no means a half-step, but a full step toward fame, toward renown, toward the final. If we lose this match, our names will forever remain in the shadow of history—today, in performing a certain action on the football field... do not forget what you can gain and what you can lose! With every, truly, with every one of your actions in the semi-final is most directly connected not only our participation in the final but also the victory in it! What can I say! Today, not only high-ranking guests but also famous scouts will be watching you—today you must play the best match of your career! Today you must enter history! And now... and now regarding the positions! Erwin Farago! Remember—always, tirelessly always!—only maximum concentration! Do not forget that it is often the goalkeepers who determine the outcomes of certain football events! Erwin! Be ready, always be ready for the opponents' scoring chances—if you are always ready to face dangerous moments, then they will not be so dangerous for you! Regarding tactics—strictly adhere to the action plans outlined in yesterday's training session. Next... defense! Do not forget about the barely discernible, but very tangible for the game, provocations of the opposing strikers—their strikers today must not think about football, but about you and themselves! Do it—make them not think about football! This will give you the necessary enthusiasm! But... but, I ask you, do not cross those very lines we talked about yesterday! Provoke them... both with words and with actions—if you fulfill your tasks, we will be in the final! Also, do not forget about the fame of their strikers—find those very strings on which you can play in the most favorable way! If you are able to do this, then... there will be not the slightest doubt about the fact that they are famous strikers, but not great players! However, while continuously crushing their discipline, do not crush your own discipline! Remember—no matter how bold and courageous you are at certain moments, you are always obligated to be executive, disciplined, and, what is important, obedient! Right back! Balint Lakatos! In all game situations, you should adapt to the actions of the opponent's right midfielder—when the spirit and nature of the attack requires it, you must immediately join it, and when it is not required... stay where you should be! Central midfielders! Look at me! Your job is the job of sharks in a vast ocean: you are obligated to eat everyone who for one reason or another wanders into that ocean—a minor foul is allowed within the center line. Wing midfielders—we have already discussed everything yesterday: you know your business perfectly! Attacking midfielder! Aron Sekey! In case of provocations from the opponent—be angry... be angry, feel it!... but... but always maintain the appearance of silent superiority: with this you will mentally defeat your opponents! Be angry, but never show it—in the moment, the personification of your anger should be a masterful pass... or a goal-scoring shot. Your task is to create a scoring chance for the striker! Striker! Ferenc Kelemen! Little is required of you today—only to convert the chance created by Aron one way or another! Carefully! Listen! Today on the football field you must be brave not with your comrades, but with your opponents—no matter what happens on the football field today, you are obligated to support each other at any minute: first you must defeat your real opponent mentally, psychologically, morally—only after that will you be able to defeat him physically! We must go out and fight! They have big names on their team, but are they as famous for their discipline as we are? What is a name on the football field without discipline? Nothing! That's all I wanted to tell you today! Go out onto the field... and tell there... not only the opponents, but also all the spectators... but also yourselves!... that you truly know how to play decent football!"