Thursday 22 June '06
It was 20 years ago today/That the Hand of God came into play/It’s been going in and out of the news/But it’s guaranteed to give England the bluesThursday 22 June '06
If I’ve been a bit harsh on the English fans — though not unduly so — here’s one to even things out a bit. Outside Cologne’s cathedral yesterday, among the cheering armies of three countries, was parked a white Lincoln stretch limo.Thursday
22 June '06Deprived of their highest goalscorer and let down by defensive errors, England nonetheless duly topped their groupWednesday
21 June '06Cologne on Tuesday was a mess and, as I write this a few hours before kick-off, one can only hope that it doesn’t go out of control.Wednesday
21 June '06Yet, they have a lot to do as they move into 2nd roundTuesday
20 June '06Korea's style of football — and that of Japan and the US, while we’re at it — may lack artifice, subtlety and football’s higher qualities but is it bad for the game?Tuesday
20 June '06Down on the pitch the match may have ended in a draw but in the stands there was a clear winner: The Korean fans.Tuesday
20 June '06If the English coach wants to experiment, he’ll have to do so at the cost of a senior player or twoMonday
19 June '06There’s more urban decay in the east but move to the villages and the scenery is idyllicMonday
19 June '06Ronaldo has a serious problem. And so will Brazil if they persist with him. Robinho was typically bright and energetic and Fred deserved the break he got for the goal.Sunday
18 June '06A week into the tournament and I haven’t written about the food! It’s not what you think, that there isn’t much to write home about...Sunday
18 June '06President Ahmedinejad told the team: come back like our scientists who brought nuclear glory. No one took that seriouslySunday
18 June '06Here is the most incredible statistic of the tournament. France, whose wealth of creative talent is the envy of most footballing nations...Saturday
17 June '06Today saw the best reasons for the World Cup and the best examples of football as it should be played.Saturday
17 June '06Apart from delivering accurate passes, Becks can do little as he nears the twilight of his careerSaturday
17 June '06English fans are a strange breed. You can criticise, with some justification, their general behaviour but you can’t fault them on their passion for their team.Saturday
17 June '06Two quick thoughts on Argentina’s demolition of Serbia and Montenegro. First, short passing, especially when it is of this quality...Friday
16 June '06Here, in no particular order, are my impressions of the first round of group matches. You may not agree with them (and that’s the beauty of football) and I am handicapped by the inability, unlike readers in India, to watch all matches, but here is my take...Friday
16 June '06This story cost me 10 euro so it had better be worth it! How? Well, for the price of two vodka-tonics and a plate of nachos...Friday
16 June '06The loudest buzz surrounding Trinidad and Tobago here today was not about any of their footballers but about a certain Brian Charles Lara.Friday
16 June '06How England must be wishing that the stars of tomorrow were stars of today, fully developed talent instead of potential.Thursday
15 June '06It's early days yet but warnings of haughty German officialdom appear to be exaggerated.Thursday
15 June '06There are bigger issues at play and at stake tomorrow but most of those have been pushed aside by the War over Wayne.Thursday
15 June '06We never thought we’d say this in a Brazil match but thank God for Croatia. The team from the Balkans was inventive, purposeful, energetic, and completely unawed by the world champions, and should have gone away with a point.Wednesday
14 June '06There are fans and fans, and they are all probably equally passionate about their national team. But some are more equal than others...
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