As I said in an earlier post, I am not a fan of football but every 4 years I become the ultimate football pundit, an expert on the offside rule, critical of the mediocre talent that isn't as good as the talent "back in the day" and an absolute legend...in my own mind. The World cup is around again and my family have opted live in a different room to me already. I ignore the Champions League, view the FA cup disdainfully and see no point in supporting a football team for 3 years and 11 months. Why should I bother when the main event gives me the ultimate team to support and the cup means something more than a club level piece of tin, this is the "Cup", the one we've been waiting for, the BIG one.
This year started differently. The WC started on Friday and I wasn't "feeling it". "It" being the knot of excitement. Fortunately I felt it on Saturday once England came on to the pitch, the feeling that this is it, the excitement and pride that means the WC is really here.
I won't criticise the England team, they did what they always do, they took us on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. What did we expect? Really? This is the World cup final, there is no easy ride and besides, this is the England team and we all know that they never raise their game above the level of their opposition. They insist of fighting for every point and we always complain. I won't fault them, I thought they played well and I am looking forward to every match they play with a positive attitude and a blind belief that they can't fail.
I watched Sven Vs Portugal and he used the same tactics he made us use and smothered Portugal into a boring mess. I watched North Korea give Brazil a very rude awakening. I thought their containing tactics were brilliant, once any of the Brazilian team got into the North Korean half, they were smothered with the little red shirted Koreans. They couldn't turn, pass, move or shoot with any effect. I wonder which teams will note that tactic and use it? England, I hope!
Germany were brilliant, proper football and such a convincing display of domination, skill and the brutal destruction of the Australian dreams for this World cup. I was pleased to see the referee book 2 of the German team for diving, we don't need them taking a leaf out of Herr Klinsman's book and cheating to win, they don't need to do that, they are a great team, I just hope they are peaking too early!
I actually fancy our chances against Germany, I think it would be a great match and worthy of the final.
The World cup does tend to bring out all the old prejudices, particularly against the French team, after all, it should've been Ireland. The Irish are great ambassadors, they invade your Country and your heart, drink all your alcohol and for a month they are your best friends but the French have stolen that pleasure from the Africans with the cruel and cheating hand of fate.....I did laugh when I saw that the Irish were smashing up Henry Hoovers after the qualifying match! On the plus side, it does mean that not only will I be bring up Cressy, Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo and both World Wars to my French friends, but I can bring up the cheating hand of Henry as well.

Time for bed, I have 3 matches to watch tomorrow and I am absolutely fooballed out today. It's been boring, exciting and thrilling and tomorrow promises so much more of the same. Ciao for now.