The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Thursday, March 11

Hello, all!

There’s a prequel to the picture above.

Ramble of the Day

Today feels like one hell of a day to reflect on, though obviously not for great reasons — it marks a year since the NBA suspended play indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us in the US, that feels like the big domino falling, with a lot of businesses and organizations following suit.

I have a lot of vivid memories of the week before, and the days after. I remember being afraid to touch anything while buying birthday presents for my sister, and being very diligent about washing my hands. (If only I knew that a mask would really help me out.) I remember the last big thing I went to — the SheBelieves Cup doubleheader at Red Bull Arena, when England beat Japan and the US beat Spain. That was also the last time I went out for dinner — I had a chicken sandwich at a restaurant down the street from the stadium.

I remember what I was doing the night the NBA suspended play, but more importantly, I remember the next morning when sports all over the country followed suit. I remember frantically going to buy shampoo and other essentials for the new, more indoor life I was about to lead. I also remember that week ending in Friday the 13th, and local politicians announcing the closing of other businesses. I remember how long it took the Premier League to make that choice.

I remember a nine day span that was so distinct in feeling, and that period of time giving way to a long stretch of days that melded together. The entirety of spring, for me, feels more like one long, almost empty mood as opposed to having distinct moments. My overarching feeling, though, is that this time last year was the end of a period in human history, and that it is so strange to have such a clear distinction of a time before and a time after.

tl;dr: It’s been a year since the NBA suspended play because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which for me really marks the end of The Before Times.

Stay informed, read this: Julie Kliegman on a letter signed by more than 500 college athletes demanding the NCAA no longer host championships in states that ban transgender athletes from participation for Sports Illustrated

Links of the Day

Manchester United named Darren Fletcher the club’s first technical director and John Murtough the club’s first football director.

Everton’s Robin Olsen and his family were the victims of an armed robbery over the weekend.

Hege Riise has officially been named the Team GB women’s manager ahead of the Olympics.

Emiliano Sala’s family began legal action against both Cardiff City and FC Nantes over the player’s death.

Stuttgart was fined €300k for misusing the private information of its members.

Brazil’s Maracanã will be renamed after Pelé.

A longer read: Dan Kilpatrick profiles Daniel Levy by speaking to the people who have worked alongside him as the chairman marks his 20th anniversary with the club for the Evening Standard