Envy by Yuri Olesha a new translation by Marian Schwartz (New York Review of Books, 2004) Okay, I admit it ... I'm a soccer mom, have been for quite some time now.  My term is coming to a close...speed of the ball would throw Volodya two meters to the side, and he would fall like a firecracker.  The opposing forwards would run at him, but ultimately the ball would end up high above the fray."