Stunning Starts in Spain

By most standards Spain posted a pretty solid sporting summer. The nation's soccer (fútbol if you will) won its first major trophy since 1960 when it captured glory at Euro 2008 in June. The next month perhaps Spain's biggest sporting icon -- Rafa Nadal -- won Wimbledon. There were probably some accomplishments in the world of bull fighting, too, but I'm just not Ernest Hemmingway when it comes to the world of matadors.

This weekend Spain's top flight league took off and it posted a pair of shock results. Early Sunday the new-look Barcelona was held up 1-0 by promoted Numancia, meanwhile later in the day title holders Real Madrid went down 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruña. The Spanish giants have combined for all but four La Liga crowns since 1990. Perhaps Athletico Madird, which won 4-0, could put together a run for its first league title since 1996-97.

Overall this probably isn't that big of a deal. If it happened in the middle the season it would be considered a blip. Since it happened on matchday one, it raises eyebrows -- especially Ray Hudson's.

It also doesn't help that there's the international break next week and the next games aren't until Sept. 14.

Maybe Real was too distracted by the mind-numbing Robinho saga. Barcelona's excuse might be its jarring yellow away shirts.