World Cup

Mostly Baffled, But There Are Some Answers

I’m big enough to admit it. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Does Rafa Benitez have any idea what he’s doing at Liverpool? By almost everyone’s estimate, he came into the season with the second best team in the Premiership. They’ve struggled for their form to say […]

‘New’ Transfer Dealings Mess

The transfer window closed a week ago. I’ve waited until now to soak this mess in and see how I actually feel about this so-called ‘new way of doing business’. I think my initial reaction was right.
When I first started watching European football–especially the Premier League–I embraced every delicious aspect. My […]

Sunderland Comedy Keeps Things Light

I have to admit, it’s not been a great start of the season for me. Practically every result has been going the wrong way. So my thanks go out to Sunderland. They’ve managed to keep a smile on my face through this rough patch of matches.
The only team in the Championship fairing […]

Back Amongst the Living

I’ve finally crawled from the deathbed and am easing myself back away from the light. I thought my pain wracked state was brought on by mighty Ipswich Town’s dismal start to the season (nary a point in 3 stabs). The medicos say that had nothing to do with it, but it wasn’t helping […]

Pretty Lousy for a Friday

I had to look at the calendar to make sure it wasn’t the 13th. Nothing is going right today in my world or the football world.
Darren Bent, who was much more intelligent while playing for Ipswich, apparently came close to cutting his arm off trying to make a sandwich. He’s going […]

It’s Italy

Italy somehow overcame history and beat France in penalty kicks to win the 2006 World Cup. 1-1 (5-3). David Trezeguet helped by being the only one to miss. He’s another one of those much lauded players I’ve never seen do anything of note.
France dug their own grave today. […]

Germany Take the Exhibition Match

I don’t know if anyone was bothered, I hardly was, but Germany beat the Whinging Divers 3-1 in what is essentially just a money making exhibition match at the World Cup.
Technically, the match is for third place, but it’s really just a way to pass the time until the big day tomorrow.
You’d expect […]

France Foil the Floppers

Merci, France for knocking the scourge of football out of the World Cup. Zinadine Zadane smacked a penalty home midway through the first half and Les Bleus held on for the 1-0 victory over Portugal.
It was a bit ironic France beat them in that fashion. Portugal continued true to form, diving, flopping […]

Italy Beat Germany in the Old Italian Style

Italy’s defense bent a little, but never broke, and gave the Italians a 2-0 win over the hosts in extra time. The German defense looked up to the task, surprisingly. Except for a shot off the post and another off the bar in the first extra period, Italy hardly threatened.
The Italians […]

It’s Now on Italy

The entire World Cup for me now rests in the hands of Italy. I hate the other three teams more or less passionately.
The diving, crying (and England beating) Portugal. Who are good enough not to have to play that way, but choose to do so anyway. I have no respect […]

France Finish a Thoroughly Disgusting Day

France beat Brazil 1-0. TH-12 finally played like TH-14, and managed the goal to get past the reputed, best team in the world. Guess that’s why they have to play the matches. To ruin my day.
All three of France’s fans are probably over the moon. At least there were 3 before […]

Sickening but Expected

England lose once again on penalties, this time to the diving Portugal 0-0 (3-1). I was thinking about a holiday there soon, I hope the women go down as easily as their footballers.
England have no gas pedal to step on. They were pathetic the entire cup. No offense whatsoever. You keep […]

Who Were Those Guys?

Football came back after a couple of days off with a nervous, but highly entertaining match. In what had to be touted as the match-up of the quarterfinals, Germany clipped Argentina with penalty kicks 1-1 (4-2).
Germany reverted back to the old-style, looking adequate in defense, but showing no offense. I’m not sure who […]

Odd Stats

With a couple of off days until the Quarter Finals get under way on Friday, I came across a site that has compiled some interesting stats to help kill the time. It’s obviously very subjective, but they’ve got the numbers on such things as dives, tantrums, faking injuries, even the number of the team […]

Spain Out Again

I had a feeling at the start of this match that France was going to win this thing. Spain shows flashes at times of how brilliant they should be. But, in the end, they always duck out earlier than they should–and things are starting to get late in the World Cup. It […]