Funny you mentioned that. In todays Serbian newspaper there is an interview with some American political analyst about Serbian elections.
His point is that Serbian politicians do things the wrong way because they still think of the world in Cold War terms.
From now on I will talk strictly hockey. I guess nobody wants to read about Serbian politics.

Posted by Kosta from Surcin, Serbia on 05/21/08 at 04:06 AM ET

And I don’t know why my location disqualifies me from discussion.

Oversensitive, table for one?

All right grizzatch, if you want to get pedantic, I’ll refer to your corner of Mitteleuropa as the Balkans instead.  And if you want to trash-talk-- little hint here, saying stuff like “Glad to see you already have excuse for the moment when Gary presents the Cup to Crosby” counts as trash-talk, whereas “Pens in 4” is a simple prediction-- be prepared to take some back, including sweeping generalizations about your country and your countrymen.  I know, making jokes about Serb nationalism is hitting a nerve what with the Kosovan secession, but that’s how we roll.  Besides, with any sense and luck you’ll establish a clear DS majority after all the mess is sorted out, and begin EU accession talks soon enough.

We may not agree about Stanley Cup winners, but I think that I can wish you best of luck in Eurovision-- even if you won it last year and have to host it this year, I’m confident Jelena Tomasevic (as terrible as her song is) can at leaast beat our entry hands-down (if it makes it in).

Do videnja!

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from a plywood-and-glitter stage set in Belgrade on 05/21/08 at 04:58 AM ET

I completely agree with you that our song is terrible. But we know the way Eurosong voting works,he who has the most workers abroad wins. Plus, we have 5 countries from former republic. so we will be in Top 3 as log as this stupid voting system is in place.
And now, invitation! If you want to join me Saturday night in Surcin to watch the game (after the Eurosong) just email me. I don’t know when you will be free, but game starts at 2am. There is no night bus at the time but I can pick you up. Or if you want we can have a drink some other day and discuss hockey. If you want to visit Surcin take 601 from Arena and go to the (dead) end.
Cheers

Posted by Kosta from Surcin, Serbia on 05/21/08 at 05:36 AM ET

Course, they aren’t nearly as cute after they get chewed up by a leopard seal, but everyone has to eat something, so que sera, sera.

Thanks Baroque!  The giggle was welcome this AM.

Posted by WingBitch from Virginia on 05/21/08 at 07:54 AM ET

Game on fellows and fellas!  We look forward to a series full of playful jobbing, hopefully you guys put up more of a fight than “the Blueshirt Bulletin” or “the Orange Crush Blog”.  Two things, Bing doesn’t dive any more than Yzerman did, and the refs aren’t out to give the Penguins the cup.  I would think you guys can come up with better things than that.  Congrats on making it to the finals and good luck.  Pens in 7!

Posted by Boy from the Burgh from The great city of Pittsburgh on 05/21/08 at 08:11 AM ET

You’re absolutely right about the voting, Kosta-- it’s a travesty.  That being said, I don’t know anyone who takes Eurovision seriously, so I don’t see it as a big deal, or even much of a symbol of national pride.  Of course, that could have something to do the facts that I’m American, lived in a few countries, and have never voted at all.  Besides, if the acts were being judged fairly, I bet Latvia would have a good shot this year-- everybody likes pirates, the tune is catchy, and one of the female singers is hotter than Three Mile Island.  But then, I thought the British entry a few years ago (Daz Sampson) was great, so what the hell do I know?

Let me just say HVALA LEPA for the invitation to watch the game and have a few beers, but despite what I wrote earlier, I’m not in Belgrade (that location was an allusion to Eurovision)-- I’m about 1200 km and an Alp or ten away from there.  I change my location in every post to reflect the fact that I’m no longer in Michigan, and I move around a fair bit.  While I could probably make the trip there, I have to be at a class by 14:00 on Sunday, so wouldn’t be able to make it back from Surcin in time.  Instead I’ll be up late on the liveblog here at A2Y and trying to keep from yelling loudly enough to wake the neighbors.  Depending on how we treat Crosby and Fleury, I might actually succeed this time.

No guarantees I won’t smash some glass, though.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from neither here nor there on 05/21/08 at 09:29 AM ET

These supposedly passionate fans in great Hockeytown can’t even fill an arena during their conference finals. Joketown? I think so.

Keep talking when people go watch Wings games in person.

Posted by Steve McKenna on 05/21/08 at 09:33 AM ET

OK, Andrew, you really caught me with that location thing. Belgrade is full of people from all over the Europe this week, so I thought you are from one of Eurovision delegations.
To hell with Eurosong, have a nice final series. Maybe we will have that beer some other time.
ZIVELI!

Posted by Kosta from Surcin, Serbia on 05/21/08 at 10:09 AM ET