The Three Dads World Cup Wonderland

So, another tournament passes, and Germany are the winners. That's four times now, making England's paltry effort in '66 look like a fluke, an aberration. This tourney was a joy though. Goals galore, kamikaze football and defences that only discovered themselves from the QF and beyond (except for Brazil). The final was entertaining and I am glad not settled by penalties. There was not too much simulation, and no great signs of fan violence either - so hats off to the hosts and the fans. (Definitely an argument for hosting the tournament out of reach of discount flight operators). So many highlights but my favourite bits, in no kind of order, were: -Excellent world time-zones allowing full viewing  -the bite (just bizarre) -Van Persie's header  -dancing around like a maniac celebrating Sterling's goal v Italy, only to be told it was snagged in side-netting -Neymar and Messi being pivotal to their teams -Spain getting a lesson in football -Awesome stadia -The Mexican

So another World Cup is coming to a close, and while recriminations, inquests and debriefs will continue - the distraction will stop and life goes on. Sometimes, almost guaranteed, that means dealing with heartbreak along the way. I for one hope Mr and Mrs Birchy have had their share and, the future has in store many more good times to balance out the tough. Wishing you both strength at this tough time. There's no great segue to get us back to the footie, but I talked about distraction and here is my distracting run down on all things Brazil, team by team, with omissions of those that didn't leave an impression :  Africa: Algeria weren't bad at all. Great game v Sth Korea and gave the Germans a run for their money. The rest made the squabbles for win bonuses the height of irony... Asia: Sth  Korea: pelted with toffees upon arrival home. Need I say more. I've forgotten what Japan did United States of Australia: plucky effort team, sum of parts blah blah..., could run all

I'm sat watching the world's most meaningless football match, the World Cup 3rd place playoff - two teams who just want to go home, forced instead to play out a dead rubber. Even the Community Shield had more meaning. This time around, however, we have the morbid excitement and voyeurism of watching Brazil's very public meltdown. They are an object lesson in falling apart once things start to go against them, like the Newcastle of international football. As things stand they are two goals down and there's no chance I'm switching off as they could easily fold and become a laughing stock, just as they could suddenly find form and claw things back. Tomorrow sees the final and a surprising amount of people rooting for Germany, probably because they look the best team by some margin. I'm gunning for Argentina (a) because I'd win £50 if they win (b) because I predicted on this blog that they'd win and (c) because I want to see Messi lift that trophy. He's

As the cameraman panned through the Brazilian crowd picking out the shocked and the grieving during their 7-1 defeat to Germany, I was shedding tears of my own, for different reasons. (And this explains the blog tailing off in the past few days). Yesterday I saw my baby daughter, Evie Hope, still born. Sorry for the shock, those of you reading for a bit of light-hearted punditry probably didn't sign up for that. You may be thinking "why the f*ck is he posting on his blog the day after that"; and the answer is that life really must go on. I was sat yesterday in the hospital, after everything had unfolded with my day, and I found myself put in a room, with a telly, at 8:30pm. I had a choice. Sit there and be sad, or wham on the footy and watch what was the most shocking semi-final in living memory. Incredible game and Brazil, as I and many feared might happen, were found out against organised opposition. Germany were just brilliant, playing disciplined and simple footba

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Well the last couple of nights have been highly unnerving. Last night I had a normal evening in. The night before I took the missus out. All highly regular and not a marathon football-fest in sight. Luckily, normal service is resumed this evening. As France and Germany played out the early part of their game I was on a boat drinking a few beers with a crowd of Germans. This was inevitably a very real threat to my immaculate 100% media silence record in the tournament to date. As the whoops and cheers rang across the deck, I knew of course that Germany had scored - and so it proved once I'd raced home and got the TiVo into action, Hummels glancing a very nice header, which of course sunk the French. I was disappointed with their efforts, their campaign ending in a whimper after such an explosive start. In truth the game was dull. The entertainment was seemingly all saved for the late game, which I am watching now. Two South American teams doing what they do best - gung-ho attack

Consecutive nights of extra time, coupled with the natural build up of the TV viewer's equivalent of lactic acid have meant that I'm feeling slightly fatigued at the moment. Don't get me wrong, the football is just brilliant, but even I am looking forward to the 2 day break later in the week, and again on Sunday and Monday. The tournament catches me out like this every time with group stages and round of 16 both being massively intense; followed by a short break and all of a suddenly it is all over. This second round has been brilliant. When I left you in the last blog post, Mexico were looking good and were robbed at the death by two late goals, first by Sneijder (with an absolute thunderbolt) and then a cajunas penalty from the greatest player who never reached proper fame, Jan-Klaas Hunterlaar. He is such a clinical and consistent centre forward - just gutted not to have seen him in the Premier League. Costa Rica then played Greece and amazingly made the Quarter Fina

Last night's games really lived up to their billing. Brazil and Chile was a great game - both teams going at it, the threat of goals ever-present and the threat of red cards also seemingly high. Chile looked the better team on balance, but the home advantage seemed to lift Brazil and they always carried a threat. The theme of course; one which is endemic across the tournament, is that neither defence looked very strong. In the end, the width of the post denied Chile in the shoot-out, as had the crossbar in the final minute of extra time. A really crappy way to go out of the tournament, but they can be proud of their efforts. Few will be disappointed to see Brazil still in the tournament, as things always go a bit flat once the hosts bow out. I'll also enjoy those anthems carrying on. If anything sums up England's utter failure in big competitions of late, it is the passionless mumblings we do in the anthems, which sets the tone for the game afterwards. The second game o

Right, this is where it all begins. Knock-out football. Win or die. And what a cracker to start - Chile and Brazil. Certainly a great way to get back "on it" after a day off yesterday. I found myself at the end of work getting myself ready for the habitual power-walk home to get on Tivo, only to realise I, for once, had no hurry. So with Germany, USA, Belgium and Algeria all tucked safely into the tournament proper, I toddled up to Birmingham to see family and have a night-off from the telly-box. All very nice, but my head is back in the game and after a truly rousing Brazilian anthem, I am going to switch off the laptop and watch the game.

Two great games today - a real South American affair. I really like Chile (and have money on them to get to the semi finals), but I was hoping they'd avoid Brazil at this stage. Almost an England v Germany mental block  - Brazil has beaten them every time they've met in the finals.  Think Chile will score, but a nervy (maybe even needing extra time) Brazil to win 2-1. As for the second game, 2-0 Colombia against the siege mentality of the Uruguayans. Feeling bad for the lunatic who likes to eat people doesn't detract from the fact they were undone by Costa. Rica when last without Chewy Luis. Liking the look of Colombia - could be a cracking quarter final vs Brazil

I made a classic World Cup faux-pas this morning, in an attempt to reassure and comfort an ever-patient wife that the purgatory (5 weeks of constant football) of the World Cup was easing. Me :  Good news love, tonight is the last night where there would be back-to-back fixtures of an evening! Wife : Oh, really?  That got me thinking Me :  hmm, I wonder if the round of 16 is in fact 2 games per night. Let me quickly check of the wallchart. Oh, yes sorry - actually the round of 16 is doubled up too, so that takes us to next Tuesday.. Wife : Riiight. Me : crap, maybe the Quarters are like that too? Let me check. Oh, ok. Sweetheart there's 2 x games on in the evenings right through until, and including Sat 5th July. Wife : You're an idiot.

Yet again I have managed to prove that my prediction powers are poor. I thought that in my neutral state of 'supporting football' rather than any particular team that my predictions for the tournament would be super accurate, unclouded by partisan-ship. So confident was I that I had a clever accumulator on the basis that I would get 7 of 8 group winners correct. By the time the third group finished (my first of 6 opportunities to lose the bet) I had lost the bet. I still have Argentina down to win; and either Giroud (often a sub for France) or Higuain (utterly overshadowed by the brilliant Messi) to be tournament top scorers. Since I last posted, Greece surprised me completely. Not just by winning their crunch match with Ivory Coast - but by doing so in seemingly cavalier style. They were raining shots in from all distances and seem to have had a genuine shift in style and attitude - one that reflects the overall feel of the tournament; which is that "defences are

Not much difference in the reports and reaction over here Birchy. Just sheer disbelief at the fact he's done it again. I also am still rolling back the years playing (high level) suburban over 30's "soccer" and we have two blokes from Uruguay on the team. Apart from being a great opportunity to make the obvious jokes as we got started in our game, I was able to gauge the mood of the natives which was no different to the masses, and it was clearly something for them that completely took the shine away from qualifying through the "difficult"group.... However, being on a bit of a delay, I now know we should have waited for the official Uruguay response before jumping to conclusions..... Turns out, we had it wrong - today we had claims of photoshopped teeth marks (not sure how you do that with live video feed, but hey, I'm no expert ); "an inconsequential event" according to the skipper and a simple global media witch hunt for everyone's favour

That thing I mentioned a couple of hours ago about exiting the World Cup in style. England failed, with their drab 0-0 the epitome of a team that would rather be resting before an important Premier League season, but meanwhile; step up Luis Suarez. Wow! I didn't think he had it in him to be so utterly idiotic...AGAIN. He really is quite something, and as Adrian Chiles said on ITV, "he's probably not doing himself many favour there, holding his teeth". Amazing stuff. That is the way to wave goodbye to a World Cup. I expect a 10 game or more ban; or as one excellent tweet said; "Fifa will review the incident, and award it to Qatar". The next 24 hours should be interesting. Now onto Ivory Coast vs Greece...

Aha, so Brazil are slowly awakening. Their defence still looks atrocious, but that Neymar chap is quite a player. I'd not seen a lot of him before the tournament and so was wondering what all the fuss was about. That sumptuous first goal showed exactly what he is about. Brazil ramped things up to the point when even Fred (aka 'the statue') scored. The prize for football is that now Brazil play Chile - which if ever a game had 5-5 written all over it, is the one! Both team have questionable/non-existent defences and a potent strike force, so I am looking forward to the clash on Saturday. Mexico also progressed, beating my tip Croatia into second place, and deservedly so. Their manager is a legend. He went ballistic when they scored and was hugging people so hard that he was falling over in his suit and all sorts. Great scenes. They always seem to make it to the round of 16 and then bomb out and I think it will be no different this time around. I'm at home now, rue-

To my surprise, South Korea vs Algeria turned out to be an absolute belter. Algeria (or France B, as they should be called) seemed to have a squad personality transplant; shifting from dour defensive outfit into rampant attacking machine. They scored more goals in 12 minutes than they had in the 28 preceding years of World Cup finals. Granted they were up against a woeful S.Korea team, but a great performance nonetheless, for a 4-2 victory.  Then another treat in the late game with USA just seconds away from a mammoth win against a rejuvenated Portugal team. They were so unlucky to concede a potential tournament ending equaliser after a truly heroic performance. This evening has seen Spain salvage some pride against Australia and Holland taking advantage of Chile in a game where neither team looked too bothered.  The rest of the qualifying group deciders should be far more interesting as there is so much to play for, not least for Brazil...

Whilst South Korea vs Algeria represents an excellent chance to have a rest from the football tv marathon, it is not something I'd consider for a single minute. Tonight, after all is the final serving of 3 matches back to back. Tomorrow things get more complicated as the groups round off their games and we are into the realms of simulcast. Yes - picture it now. TVs, laptops, iPads all over the place, showing live coverage, league tables and calculators to work out potential qualification scenarios. Excellent. The downside though is that from tomorrow we only get 3 hours of football per day  instead of the now customary 4.5.) Since I last posted, I've seen Ghana's epic performance against Germany, proving that no team is going to be untouchable. Nigeria beat Bosnia & Herzogovina too, which whilst a surprise to me, was thoroughly deserved. And this afternoon, Belgium staked their claim to be the new Switzerland - very dull and uninspiring, but they snatched a 1-0 at the

Well, I step away for five days (or a time period that is now commonly referred to as an "English world cup campaign") I now look back on an eventful first week in Brazil. Goal of the week: Timmy Cahill's wonderful strike. A fine postscript on a great career. Messi's superlative injury time strike was so late that it qualifies (and will likely win) next week's competition. Team of the week: Germany. Complete destruction of an abject Portugal. Manager of the week: Jorge Sampaoli. Pure entertainment watching this guy walk about 10 miles a game in his technical area. Team isn't playing badly either.  Tease of the week: England actually playing decently against Italy....after we'd successfully come to terms with the fact that we were at best, average. Even though we lost, a whole nation's expectations were immediately raised.  Reality check of the week: Well, that didn't last long. BBC / ITV miss of the week: Homesickness aplent

The return of football related joy coincided with the return of Stevie - and a humdinger of a return (on both fronts) it was too. As Stevie tapped out his Nicholson-esque replies and retorts to last weeks questions, France were busy slapping 5 (five) goals past my favourite Switzerland. I take back my criticism of the Swiss, since they served up a real treat (albeit through their total lack of ability to contain a rampant France). It didn't go unnoticed that the defensive frailty was down in part (well, largely in fact) due to the Titus-Bramble-like influence of Villa-bound Senderos. Certainly should be fun down at Villa Park next year. Then followed the most unruly game of footy I've seen for quite some time. Honduras and Ecuador played out the nearest thing to a playground match that I've seen for ages. Fouls all over the place, people all over the place, out of position, shooting from anywhere, seemingly eating lollies, all sorts. It was beyond comprehension and

Rather belatedly....here we go:  1 .How, how are USA ranked 13th in the World? I'll answer that one with a simple prophetic statement: England are ranked #10. Above France, Holland and Chile. Nothing further. 2.Any hopes for getting out of Group G (especially having seen Portugal self destruct)?  Well, I think there's some hope. 3pts bagged. The stars seem to be aligning that CR7 is either going to beat them on his own or sulk at having to play on a shitty team that aren't as good as him. I have to favour the latter right now. They then play Germany last game when you would think they  would already be through. So I think the answer is - more hope than a week ago (aka the inverse England effect)  3.Do Americans love Beckham, is his conquering of the States reported widely and positively like it is in the UK? Tricky one this. Definitely was embraced for his "soccer icon" status, but at the same time, soccer doesn't float everyone's boat over here.

I have to say, what a terrific tourney so far - it couldn't have gone any better for our heroes so far. 100% record! skillful and committed goals scored by our captain courageous (playing on with a broken nose and all) and an incredulous debutant, bodies on the line defending. And then our next opponents are on the brink of implosion - conceding 4, red cards, injuries.... Lovely stuff... What? Luis who? ...U. S. A! ....U. S. A!

Ok, come on chap. Be strong and face into the issue. I posted a full and frank match summary on facebook last night. It read: "Toss". Not sure if it is worth expanding on, but since I am sat watching England's feint hopes of staying in the competition fading slowly away (i.e Costa Rica one up on Italy) I may as well use the time efficiently. Where did it all go wrong? Well. First up was the fact that the two players everyone wanted to see sidelined, were in fact not sidelined. Suarez and Rooney. From the outset, it was clear that Uruguay would not be the off-colour outfit that they were in their opener. By contrast, England started nervously and had little rhythm. Rooney, looked off the pace (I should add that I was, and still am utterly torn, as to whether we'd be better without him in the team - but for the sake of not repeating the same errors in every tournament I ever watch, I'd side with the "if it is broken, fix it" camp.) Uruguay started

Right, where had I got to? Difficult to keep up as my days are blurring into one. Routine for the past 5 days has been exactly as follows (with no deviation on any day). Get up 6:20am. Watch the previous night's 11pm match as-live (avoiding social media whilst asleep is a breeze) Go to work 8:20am. Able to converse fully with all colleagues as no results to avoid Come home circa 6:15pm, watch 5pm K.O. on delayed play. Finish first game just in time to watch 8pm match live. Sleep at 10pm Repeat Since I last blogged, we've seen Cameroon being utterly battered by Croatia. Awful discipline and team ethic from Cameroon. This is the team who arrived late whilst haggling over win-bonuses (the irony of course being that they are yet to win). A needless first half sending off and then players fighting amongst themselves and generally being a million miles away from the happy-go-lucky team of '90. Now they look like a collection of overpaid, but average, players with atti

This time difference (or lack thereof), combined with the fact I am not on surgery rehabilitation is killing me!  For the working gentleman, games at 12pm, 3pm and even 6pm are just not plain fair! (Try coming home to two toddlers that need to be fed, bathed and put to bed and using the line "errr, you know what to do boys, I'll be in the basement watching South Korea v Russia). I do feel further aggrieved when I think to the homeland, and as testing as those 11pm'ers are for Birchy, I hold little sympathy!  So, as a consequence, I'm missing a lot of footie, and the time to respond to Birchy's questions. (But I will, just be patient).  Which brings me to today .... The agony of today. I'm going complete radio silence, taping the game.... Somehow avoiding the constant ESPN showing in our common area at work, and the elevated interest in the average American (while still not quite getting it) - which means the risk of the hallway "you guys played a heck of a

This evening is shaping up to be a goal of the tournament competition. Cahill hit the thunderbolt that had us oldsters shouting  "Van Basten", and the youngsters shouting "Van Persie", which got things started, with his stunning equaliser, Depay hit a screamer for Holland to win the match and now Chile have  scored a great team goal with 3 impossible short passes each finding the mark. These together with many others in the opening days (Messi's run and shot, Van Persie's superman header, Marchisio's slick strike) are adding to quite a juicy looking highlights reel. If Cahill had scored with his thunderbolt chest-shot that also would have been a contender. Wow. If Stevie C is going to get lured from the wilderness then surely Cahill's goal and performance will do the trick (he's a Toffees fan). It feels like things are really warming up tonight. Credit to Australia for putting in performance of the tournament (with bugger all to show from it).

The tournament is into full swing now, games relentlessly following one another. This means that the hazy memory of Iran's goalless draw with Nigeria quickly pass, and we get to move on to Clint Dempsey's first minute wonder goal for USA against Ghana. I actually enjoyed Iran v Nigeria, if only because of how Iran managed to be solid as well as adventurous, without actually having much to offer. But there's little more to add to that particular game. The USA game was great fun. Glorious opening from our Clint, and then we watched Ghana gradually take control of the game, waste chance after chance, equalise, relax, and then lose. Asamoah Gyan appears to have taken Benjamin Button tablets, looking 4 years younger than he did at the last tournament - maybe its the fact he shaved his shirt number onto the side of his head (on one side at least, the other side was just a bit of a scuffed bald patch). With Portugal looking a mess, that result could give USA a great chance to

Stevie will doubtless return to the fold soon, so a couple of questions to draw out his US perspective. How, how are USA ranked 13th in the World? Any hopes for getting out of Group G (especially having seen Portugal self destruct)? Do Americans love Beckham, is his conquering of the States reported widely and positively like it is in the UK? Do Americans care more about 'soccer', now that they are establishing themselves as regulars in the World Cup. They are all pretty serious questions - so a couple of others for balance. If the average US fan fought the average England fan, who would win Same question, but in relation to a drinking competition

Last night my World Cup survival plan fell gloriously into place. I had been weighing up options of how to motivate myself to stay awake for what is, in truth, a fairly uninspiring line up of 11pm kickoffs during this week. The night owls get rewarded with: Ghana vs USA Russia vs South Korea Cameroon vs Croatia Japan vs Greece Honduras vs Ecuador Even as a nut-job football fan I can see that this is a "purists selection" at best, and with the travails of work looming each morning, the prospect of just 5 or so hours sleep off the back of each of these is not a pleasant one. Luckily my state of enforced rehabilitation (after the exertions of Saturday) meant that I was physically unable to watch Argentina vs Bosnia & Herzegovina live. Instead (after watching the first goal), I formed the plan which will now form the routine. Watch the late game, recorded, at 6:30am. This opens up the glorious option to watch every match yet still achieve 8 hours sleep, and get

One. That is the number of teams in this World Cup who I have no interest whatsoever in seeing play the beautiful game*. That is Switzerland. They have blighted virtually every tournament they have participated in with their coma-inducing brand of workmanlike but average football. Today was not much different. I had some hope that their opponents Ecuador would provide some entertainment, as they clearly have a bit of attacking flair thanks to the Valencia's. Valon Behrami (ugly Beckham) sums up Switzerland well though - and actually proves I am wrong not to give them at least some credit. His last ditch tackle and energetic burst at the end of the game turned a probable defeat into a glorious stoppage time victory; and although they do bore me, they were worth the win. With Honduras still to play, the Swiss now have an excellent chance to progress, where they will surely perish horribly at the hands of Argentina. *I should clarify. Though I say I "have no interest whatsoev

I've watched football in 4 different locations this weekend. I've also drunk a lot of beer in the process. Highly entertaining it has been too. Now I am looking forward to a sober and restful evening, with Honduras v France and Argentina vs debutants Bosnia-Herzogovina (sp?).  Saturday started off with a re-union event, which was (obviously) arranged completely around football. Myself, Dunc, Ed, Simon and the Webbs met in the Old Moseley Arms, a pub located on a fairly terrifying back street in a less well to do part of the city. In that pub though was some quality ale, friendly staff and a mighty 80" telly. The barman was a little bemused by the necessity to watch Greece vs Columbia. The game itself confiirmed what we already knew in so much as Greece are poor. After that, a quick trip back to the place I was staying, a few more beers and the exciting Costa Rica vs Uruguay game, in which Uruguay failed to live up to the hype. Costa Rica came out 3-1 winners to send

Through a remarkable twist of fate, a day working from home on endless conference calls requiring little attention, I make it to the end of day 2 having taken in every game of the tournament so far.... And what a day. I must have been on a really dull work call, but I actually enjoyed Game 1 and thought Mexico were pretty decent.... Here's my take on the day: Great 3-0 win for Mexico....still waiting for the scoreboard to catch up. Hoping bad officiating doesn't become the recurring theme Dutch delight..... Really thought RvP's header was tremendous and worthy of winning any game. History tells me spanking wins in the first game usually don't compute to future success deep in the tournament. Quick word for pantomime villain Diego Costa..... The man had every trick in the book: Turn back on host country desperate for historic success? Yup Win cynical non-penalty against the team clearly favoured by said hosts? Yup Get away with off the ball head butt? Hat-trick! Will be

The World Cup brings out the worst in me. Several weeks back I made a plan to visit my mom tonight, thinking it would be a nice thing to do as summer revs up. Then I remembered the World Cup thing and had to backtrack very rapidly. Its not even really a crisis of conscience because I feel as if I physically have to watch every game, in its full. And to prove that this wasn't a crude family snub, my mettle was tested as I left work. A group of 15 or so colleagues all hanging around outside, congregating for the obligatory Friday pub visit. Would I like to go to the pub? "But I can't" I mumble, as I power walk home to hit the tivo hard. "6 hours of football to do". Its desperate, the compulsion to avoid all media. Honestly, at 5:30pm today the most tragic thing that could have happened would be for someone to have given away the fact that Mexico v Cameroon was still locked in a turgid 0-0 stalemate. I will find that out for myself thanks very much. So

So the World cup is properly underway and match 1 is done. After a truly dull opening ceremony (which surely will have reassured the Brazilian population that not too much money or effort was spent on it!), we got into the most rousing of anthems I've seen on a footy pitch. No Hodgson-style directive needed for their players sing along - those Brazilians gave it some welly, with Julio Cesar bringing himself (and, yes I admit it, me) to tears. Such emotion; refreshing to see. The game started interestingly enough, with Croatia, and Olic in particular looking menacing. It seemed as if the pressure was telling on Brazil, or perhaps they were struggling to see through those tears. Anyways, it all progressed like a game of World Cup bingo. Shock goal for underdogs...check Own goal...check Odd haircuts...check Goalkeeping howler...check Dodgy pen...check Sublime toe-poked goal...check. Olic's tricks turned form menacing to self-defeating, as he started turning more and mor

Prior to the opening game, the Japanese referee sprayed two circles from his vanishing paint spray gun (really?!?! This is a thing?) and then instructed the Croatian goalie to keep his feet within the circles at all times, even if confronted with a moving ball in close proximity. 

Well, out from behind a rock I come. Like Batman responding to the spotlight over Gotham, the sight of Alexi Lalas relaxing on ESPN's swanky new World Cup set spouting 'knowledge' of the beautiful game immediately triggered me into action. A personal excitement for me is the returning punditry on this side of the pond of one Roberto Martinez. 4 years ago, I listened to this polite young man with light enthusiasm....now I find myself hanging onto every word from Bobby Brown Shoes. A supremely classy guy, just hoping for the "and Neymar is close to signing, which is phenonemal (Bobby's most used word - quite impressive for a Spanish native) " Sooo, what have I missed so far (Brazil own goal aside).... - Roy Hodgson in old man sunglasses - An amazing lack of planning from team England organizing a friendly in Florida at 5pm in June and being surprised as a thunderstorm - Scapegoating of a key England player (Rooney) before a ball is kicked in anger - Overplay

Just had a mail from Stevey in response to my call-to-arms ten days ago... Oh boy - I couldn't be busier compared to be surgery induced couch time of 4 years ago! So much so that I didn't even reply to this e-mail until now. It's going to be tough for me to be honest, but I will try to see what I can do. I just unloaded my Ladbrokes account on every possible permutation that involves Messi doing his thing this summer...... I'm starting to believe in the young guns of Engerlund...... and am starting to foam slightly at the mouth as Croatia don't look all that bad as they line up against Brazil... this should be a good game. Enjoy the tournament!

I have spent the past 4 days stuffing my ears with World Cu[p related radio and podcasting; and getting excited beyond description about the feast of football that is about to occur. So; why do I love it so much? Well: 1) Quality. As a Villa fan, this is an opportunity for some escapism from the trudgery of normality. 2) Neutrality. I love the World Cup because I watch each game for what it is. I support "football" rather than one side or other. Every good tackle, every wild tackle, the goals, the chances. Everything. Watching football like that is very different from typical club football, where there's long standing rivalries, resentment, jealousy and dislike. Normally speaking I need one team or other to lose in case they rise above Villa. 3) National identities. With club teams now so diverse, the teams lose their identities. We get different flavours of "good" rather than truly different styles. With the national teams this isn't the case. Chile

The Miami weather dished up some perfect practice for the tournament proper> I don't mean the humidity for the teams - I mean the delay meant that I got some late night viewing practice - pushing 1am to sit through a nil-niler. It won't be the last time I do that in the month of June, I can guarantee. England actually played well, should have won comfortably, but were unlucky not to. It was exactly the sort of game that we could have done with Ox playing in - but I think everyone will be fairly happy. We came through it without more major injuries, looked relatively dynamic and can go into the group games in a pretty positive manner I think.  

So Hodgson has gone with the "Peru team"; leading many to think this is his first eleven. Certainly the accepted belief is that it is 9+ of the starting team for next week. Certainly I am hoping that Barkley finds a way in, or Sterling - I think we are one pacy player short of what we need. The match, after a scrappy start, started to look more positive once England settled. Then we've had this thunderstorm and 30 minute delay. The delay has enabled me to do my full tournament predictions. I've noted them all down (on a fairly giant excel sheet) so that I can be suitably smug or apologetic throughout the tournament. What it has done is enable me to predict the shocks and outcomes of the tournament. According to my predictions the following headlines occur: 1) Brazil suffer a surprise exit in the round of 16 2) Argentina win, triumphing over Germany in the final - having only scaped past Portugal in a QF penalty shootout 3) England surprising reach the semis,

So, a really entertaining game against Ecuador, even if the result is a reminder that England are capable of "not beating" almost anyone on their day. Frustratingly excellent performances from many of the squad who probably won't be lining up against Italy, but without doubt the most entertaining England game for some time. The inevitable injury came - with Oxlade-Chamberlain doing grim things to his medial ligaments and surely forfeiting all but a cameo appearance in the group stages as a result. With John Stones his potential replacement I fully understand Hodgson's stance of sticking with the Ox in the hope he recovers. Nothing against Stones (for he has an awesome surname) - but he just isn't a like for like replacement and so would not offer anything to the squad. And whilst England acclimitise to the heat by playing in Miami - I do the same from the sofa, dipping into the first taste of slightly late night football - with the 9.45pm kickoff. I'll bl

So the other night England secured a fairly uneventful 3-0 win vs Peru. After the belter from Sturridge we scored 2 further goals from set pieces (proving the worth of having Baines in the side) - but the concern I think was that Peru had a few very dangerous attacks that would surely have seen us conceding against a better striker line-up. We did however avoid the pre-tournament injury nightmare, perhaps saving that for the friendlies immediately prior to the big kick off. Tonight it is Ecuador against England, from Miami - in front of what looks like a bumper crowd of at least 15 people! Obviously the side has been completely rotated, but the most interesting thing from my point of view is to see Milner lined up as a right back. Having watch Glen Johnson looking generally immobile and out of position against Peru, I wondered whether we might explore Milner as an option. As a Villa fan I've seen a bit of him play, and know he is very versatile and hard working and could definite

Every single world cup it is the same. I write down the date of the first game in my diary (well, truth be told I write down the exact date and time of EVERY game in my diary) - but what I always always forget is that the teams play warm up matches in the fortnight before the tournament proper. Far from being meaningless friendlies - these games, for once, are actually really worth something. Players playing for their places, partnerships tested and the team finding its feet and discovering a pattern of play that it will take into the tournament.  I love pre-World Cup friendlies; and I am sat in front of England's first one tonight. Glass of Malbec to hand, for the South American vibe, too. Today England are playing against Peru - a team close to my heart because of the awesome road trip I did there in 2012 . It is a country that is better at serving chicken feet in soup than it is at football, but a decent test nonetheless. We should win of course, but are doing a pretty good

The best (and worst) thing about the internet is that it has this tremendous habit of remembering things. So earlier today when I curiously searched to see whether I could find "Stevie and Birchy's World Cup Wonderland", the blog I set up for South Africa 2010 with an old friend, Google of course delivered. So here it is, the blog. Dusted down. Re-opened. And raring to go for Brazil 2014. Not sure if Steve will be joining in again. Its been a while, and he's a family to look after now, but if I know him, he will be indulging in a feast of football and sleeplessness just like me.