A tall story from Macau
 Macau,
China, July 24, 2005 - It was David against Goliath at the
Macau East Asian Games Dome on Sunday. Or, rather, Wong Hio
San against Hana Cutura.
At 1.61 metres and 47 kilos, libero Wong is the smallest
player on surely the smallest team, Macau. At 1.92 metres
and 78 kilos, Cutura is the tallest player on one of the
biggest teams, Croatia.
The giants and the minnows came together on Sunday in a Pool
A encounter, and despite Croatia winning 3-0, Macau seemed
to enjoy the occasion the most. Even when Cutura, soaring on
the left, sent a blistering spike full into the face of Lei
Sin Kuan, knocking her to the floor.
When Lei came round a few seconds later, she didn't know if
she was in Macau, Madrid or Manchester, but she still
managed a smile and received a warm and sympathetic round of
applause from the spectators. She could probably just about
hear it alongside the ringing in her ears.
This incident summed up the spirit in the Macau team, as
they fought all the way, and all the way with a smile on
their faces.
"I was very happy to see the Macau team play like this,"
said Croatia's head coach, Damir Jurko. "The way they
played...I was fascinated by their attitude and their spirit.
"Obviously they were having fun."
And about the spike in the face, after which, it must be
pointed out, Cutura offered her apologies and her concern as
Lei lay on the floor?
"In Croatia," continued Jurko, "if they get the ball in the
face like that they cry. In this Macau team they smile!"
Macau's captain, Leung Sam I, another lightweight at 47
kilos, said she told team-mate Lei not to worry about it,
and not to think about it happening again.
"I just told her to keep trying, but she was not afraid. We
have a good team spirit," said Leung. |
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