Ever feel that life isn’t real until you’ve looked at the replay? Just me then. What I thought was a turgid and cynical 120 minutes was actually a football spectacle with goal-mouth action applenty. I also discovered that the Spanish were just as naughty as the Dutch, especially Iniesta, but are cuter about it. It’s [...]
Entries from July 12th, 2010
England 2010 – The Silver Lining
July 11th, 2010 · No Comments · Features, Football
About the only good thing to come from England’s performance in the World Cup 2010 was the unexpected boost to the beautifully presented bid to host the tournament in the UK in 2018. In an almost mirror image of the on-pitch shenanigans the bid team seemed to have a Spain-like control over their opponents and [...]
What can England learn from the semi-finalists?
July 9th, 2010 · No Comments · Features, Football
Now that reality has begun to settle in, and the shrill attacks on the players have subsided, what can be learnt from the four most successful teams in this World Cup? The English press and media couldn’t agree on who was to blame the most; the manager for not getting the best out of ‘world [...]
Tags:4231·433·442·England·Euro 2012·FA·Fabio Capello·Holland·Spain
And finally – Spain v. Holland
July 8th, 2010 · No Comments · Features
Oh, the irony. Like taking Oranges to Seville the Dutch will take their more pragmatic style of play to the new spiritual heirs of Total Football. To the shame of the English ‘Best in the World’™ Premier League this World Cup has shown their boasts to be hollow. The ‘stars’ of SuperDuperSunday have been eclipsed [...]
Tags:
Acts of Union – 1707 and all that
July 7th, 2010 · No Comments · Features, Football
A lot has been written about Germany’s radical restructuring of national football in the last few weeks. It’s true that after the warning signs of under-performance in Euro 2000 Germany overhauled its failing approach to youth football. Although, going further back, the catalyst was the 3-0 Quarter Final defeat to Croatia in World Cup 1998. [...]
