Stunned. We watched, transfixed in wonder. Shaking. The hosts (Brazil!) sunk on the German reef. Public humiliation of a nation. Car-crash football. History in the making. The cornerstone of football quickly flaking, embossed with the Brazilian motif. Public annihilation of a nation. Stunned, we watched, transfixed in wonder, shaking. The holes in the defence were […]

If you wish your life were fuller, had a little bit more colour, and you’re tired of seeing things in monochrome, you could wipe away the greyness, add a little touch of gayness – you could make your life less heinous with your vanishing foam. If your boss is getting uppity about your seventh cup […]

And now we’re nearly through, the hands are on the World Cup curtain. I love this game (don’t chew?) my country’s hopes gone for a Burton. His shoulder hit my teeth and stitched me up in quite a thorough way Ah no, I made that up I did it, Uruguay. I said that I had […]

Goodbye Costa Rica, the prize was yours to clutch, the little fish that swam out of the pool. Most of us beforehand didn’t rate you very much but oh, you made us all look like a fool. Many thought the big boys were unbeatable, as such – the plebs could never stem their lengthy rule. […]

Before this round, the football had inspired me to think of this World Cup as my best friend. Today the act of watching only tired me. Japan, Iran, Algeria all fired me with hope that this old game was on the mend. Oh yes! Till now, the football had inspired me. ‘Twas only obligation that […]