Phil Ball in Spain

So the traditional Christmas break is upon us, and La Liga goes quiet until January 7th, when hostilities resume. I say this every year at this time, but one needs to resist the temptation to proclaim any team "Winter Champions" at this point, or half-way winners, much as several Madrid-based newspapers would like to do. La Liga has completed only sixteen games, one fewer than is normal at this time of the year, but that is due to the players' strike at the beginning of the season. We will be well on our way to February before any solid half-time claims can be made.