Skip to main content

Football is back. Stevie is back.

By
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 a very entertaining game indeed, which Honduras were unlucky on balance to lose.

And this afternoon, Messi has reminded us that "stars win games", putting Argentina out of their misery with a glorious injury time goal to edge his nation past a brilliant Iran. For a team that has racked up nil in both games, they really have been excellent.

Onto Ghana v Germany now, which should be an interesting clash of styles, and a family rivalry too with the Boateng brothers (Kevin-Prince and Jerome) lining up on opposite teams - which is a bit weird. 

In other news I have avoided the general forensics and autopsy around England's exit, as the ongoing football is way more interesting. 

For the WC Wonderland quick debrief see below:
  • Manager chooses to stay because (a) the job pays a fat load of cash for occasional involvement and (b) it wasn't his fault
  • Old players retire
  • Noises made about the young players who will inevitably replace the older ones who have just retired
  • Everyone wonders "what if"
  • Go to next tournament in 2 years time (by which time the nearly old players will have become 'old'.
  • Repeat
More soon.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Arriving late at the far post...........

By
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...
2 comments
Read more

Reflections

By
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

The. Best. Ever

By
  As promised in my last post, I left the fawning over Messi to after the final. And just as he had done in EVERY knockout round of the tournament, Messi stood up to be counted, and delivered BIG TIME. Which was very considerate of him to make it very easy to write my final post of 2022 by waxing lyrically about the wonder that is Lionel Messi. Sport in general, and certainly football, is littered with examples of finals being played that struggle to meet the grand expectations bestowed upon it, where two teams nullify each other to the point of it becoming - a still intriguing contest - but more of a chess match. Cagey, tight. No pizzazz.  This was quite simply the best World Cup final of my lifetime. Involving the best player on the planet, playing to the best of his abilities. Dragging his team through to a glorious end. That it also involved his heir apparent who was likely the most miserable recipient of a souvenir match ball at a World Cup is just mind blowing.  It ...
Post a Comment
Read more