For me, the most satisfying event of this football off-season may not be the World Cup but rather the Italian Football Federation’s trial of the Juventus, Lazio, Milan and Fiorentina football clubs in the largest match fixing scandal in Serie A history. I’m a Roma fan. That means that I have long endured the dominance of Northern clubs in Italian... more
Group & Second Round Notes I have never had less time to take in the World Cup since before 1994. It’s depressing to think that out of 54 matches, I’ve so far only managed to watch the majority of only a handful of games. So, whereas I would normally be a big enough dork to try and comment on every... more
People who don’t follow club football probably have no idea why Wayne Rooney’s inclusion in the England World Cup squad is a matter of consternation for Manchester United supporters. According to England’s team doctor, Rooney is recovered from his broken foot—suffered a mere 5 weeks ago—and should be medically sound to take part in Sven Goran Erickson World Cup side.... more
I didn’t even get to see this game. So why the match report? Because I’ve been waiting for a reason to expose Fulham manager Chris Coleman as Little Nicky for quite some time. Coleman has likely ditched this uber-geeky style by now, but I will never understand what would have compelled a wealthy ex-footballer turned young manager to adopt such... more
According to Reuters, a brand new website created by the British embassy in Germany, British Embassy World Cup, is offering English fans some queer phrases to use when in Germany for World Cup 2006: “Ihm war kotzuebel” (He was sick as a parrot) and “Er kotzte wie ein Reiher” (He puked his guts up) are in the guide as is... more
§ Football
Apparently, German civil planners are very concerned about everyone’s balls at the 2006 World Cup: A German city is rushing to install a series of drive-in wooden “sex garages” in time for next year’s Soccer World Cup and an expected boom in the local sex trade, a city official said Wednesday. Dortmund, one of 12 cities to host World Cup... more
I’ve always enjoyed watching Alan Smith play football. The former Leeds striker plays with a ferocity and commitment to the cause that is unparalleled in professional football. However, what’s even better than watching Alan Smith bang in a last-gasp, injury-time goal? It’s watching Alan Smith notch a point-saving goal in the red shirt of Manchester United. Even if Sir Alex... more
He may be both arrogant and smug, but new Chelsae manager Jose Mourinho has now managed to topple Sir Alex’s Manchester United twice in less than an year. Last season, Mourinho got the better of Sir Alex when his Porto side eliminated United from the Champions League. This time, Chelsea’s Eidur Gudjohanson helped his new manager begin his premiership... more
Greece 1 - Portugal 0 Are Greece one of the best international teams in the world? Probably not. But, are the unheralded mediterranean side worthy of the title European Champions? Definitely. Any team that can defend in the European Final like they did for 90 minutes deserve their rewards. Coming into the final as massive favourites, tournament hosts Portugal were... more
Group D provides the other marquee matchup of Euro 2004’s initial slate of games. Both Germany and the Netherlands have the ability to win this tournament, yet both sides have also been notably inconsistent in recent years. Lending credence to the belief that these heavyweights are both talented and awkward at the same time, this match provided one bizarre goal... more