To use a billiards analogy, investing in banks as a proxy for anticipated economic growth in a country is like a bank shot whereby a ball is driven into a cushion before it is pocketed.

FORBES: Bank Shot, Global Pocket

Andreas Treichel, the boss of Erste Bank, Austria's second-biggest bank, says he will not play ball.

ECONOMIST: Austria is toying with a curious new form of protectionism

It fell short, leaving her ball deeply embedded in a steep bank protecting the elevated green.

FORBES: All Teed Up

The campaign kicked off in December when Mr Wolfensohn and some senior colleagues symbolically booted a soccer ball into a goal at the Bank's headquarters.

ECONOMIST: Kick and tell

In overtime, he gave the Nets the lead with a long jumper, and later hit a running bank shot in the lane after nearly losing the ball.

WSJ: How to Become a Pro Point Guard

But he didn't make another birdie the rest of the way, and took a double bogey on the par-3 17th when his shot plugged into the bank short of the green and he never found the ball.

NPR: Guthrie, Thompson Tied For Honda Classic Lead

These competitive ball field warriors are especially prone to sales pitches with more allure than a bank CD or balanced portfolio.

FORBES: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems: ESPN Goes "Broke"

Although Torres's performance level declined like that of his team-mates during the 90 minutes, the Spain international's goal in the third minute proved that if the ball is played behind the defence then he is still the striker you would bank on.

BBC: Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool