When the Culers Met the Dolphins

In the swamp like heat of Miami, two players from FC Barcelona recently took on two from the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins in a series of cross sport challenges for popular NFL T.V show Game Recognize Game. So, what happens when Culers collide with Dolphins? Let’s find out…

New signing and attacking maestro Raphinha was accompanied by American full back Serginho Dest, and the Fins were represented by third year Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and second year Wide Receiver Jalen Waddle. Meeting up at MLS side Inter Miami’s training complex, the foursome squared off in a series of tests in both sets of footballing disciplines, American and European, each introducing the other to the basics of their sport. Competition will no doubt have been friendly but fierce as both duos are coming from a team with a point to prove and, though from different sports and different corners of the globe, there would have been plenty of common ground for the guys to chew over. Both teams have undergone their struggles of late. Barcelona have undergone well documented financial hardships of late and have languished in the doldrums these past two seasons as they went through a difficult state of flux. Now with Xavi at the helm for his first full season in charge at the Camp Nou, expectations are high after he inspired the team to a miraculous recovery in the second half of last season, rocketing them up the LaLiga table from ninth position to finishing in second place behind bitter rivals Real Madrid. After a series of high profile transfers this summer, including the likes of Raphinha, Franck Kessie and one of the best strikers in the world in Robert Lewandowski, the expectation is once again for Barca to challenge for titles.

Similarly, the Miami Dolphins have had a woeful time of late. Those halcyon days of Dan Marino playing Quarterback in the 1980’s are long gone, as are the teams glory days of the 1970’s where the Fins became the only team to go through a season undefeated on their way to winning the Super Bowl (in 1972 – the Dolphins still hold the distinction of being the only ever team to achieve this incredible feat, aided by the great Don Shula as coach, as well as players such as the hardnosed Running Back Larry Csonka and fellow back Mercury Morris – Morris in particular is proud of the undefeated record, and can be always be counted on to come out in sharp criticism of any team that dare display the audacity of approaching an undefeated season themselves). Now, though, like Barcelona, Miami prepare to start a season under a new head coach. Mike McDaniel has taken over and set about transforming the team. Youth and speed are the order of the day, and the Dolphins are quickly shaping up to be one of the most exciting, dynamic teams in the NFL, full of promise which has reignited hope and enthusiasm among their fan base.

Speed and skills are the calling cards of the mercurial Raphinha, and Dest will no doubt have been eager to better his compatriots, so it should be a great watch. No spoilers here, as the series isn’t set to premiere until September to coincide with the start of the 2022 NFL season.

I’m sure we all wish the Dolphins well, but here’s hoping the Culers showed them who’s boss.

Forca Barca.