Skip to main content

Quarters

By
The only thing taking the shine off a genuinely sumptuous set of quarter-final matches (I'm giving England vs Sweden a pass here on the basis that it is a match containing England) is the fact that they are not being played on Saturday and Sunday (to enable working folk to drink them all in) - or alternatively to be spread over 4 days, with just evening matches, for the same reasons. Sure, we'd end up with one or two teams being unduly fatigued and disadvantaged by having less rest between matches, but it'd be more convenient for me. Consider that to be a recommendation for Qatar please, Mr Infantino.

Tomorrow definitely presents the greatest threat to radio silence so far. But I have my plans in place and I will be leaving directly from my afternoon meetings, blindfolded and with headphones on, avoiding eye contact with the whole of Bristol before I get home. The two fixtures tomorrow are as exciting as any World Cup day  I can remember. A France team, flickering to life with Mbappe's mad pace against Cavani's face and Suarez's resurrections. And that's just the warm up, with Total Belgium clashing with floor-dance Brazil to top things off. My bet is for a dual-European triumph, Suarez and Neymar both to bow out in a frenzy of cheating, whilst Lukaku eases to the top of the scoring charts and laying down the challenge to Kane.

Then on Saturday, England will surprise us all with an elegant and comfortable win against Sweden who have progressed a round too far; before the big shock of the round, Russia, somehow, continuing their run to set up an awkward semi-final clash with an England team who will consequently need to avoid all hotel food or skin contact with surfaces, air or people for fear of collapsing in a heap and gifting the Russians a bye to the final. (only jesting Vlad)

It is going to be brilliant. Enjoy it, everyone.

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

Stunning games and goals

By
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...
Post a Comment
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