All praise the round ball and those who kick it!

Day 23. What happened today in Brazil.

Somewhere in Brazil, maybe around the Maracana, there must be a sign that says, "Welcome to the Evangelical church of latter day Brazilian footballers. Come join us for praise and to give thanks on the morrow of every great Brazilian victory. Our Minister, Big Phil, will lead the joyous circle, while Preacher David Luiz offers the daily prayers" (and in small print) "our church was created to counter the negative influence on our youth left over from the fake positivity created by the over indulgence of those who believed they were above greatness, namely Socrates, Falcao, Zico, Cerezo and more".

Really, what is it with the Brazilian players and the constant, overly enthusiastic praise to the lord. Kaka used to reveal his I-love-Jesus shirt after he scored. Today we had Luiz and his two-hands-to-the-sky, on his knees, prayer after his goal and at the end. To each their own I say. If they believe, and that's their inspiration, good for them. But do we really believe that they believe? Many years ago David Bowie was part of the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in London. It was huge, and everybody was there. David Bowie came out on stage, and got down on one knee and asked the crowd to join him in reciting the lord's prayer, for Freddie, you know. The next day a journalist in an English newspaper wrote a wonderful article about the hypocrisy and fakeness of that moment. Who was to believe that Bowie, and the thousands and thousands of drunk and stoned fans, could really be genuine in asking the lord to take care of the very un-religious (through his behaviour) Freddie Mercury. The statement was not about the merits of religion, but the abuse, in a way, and convenience, of it's power. David Luiz....David Bowie.......

So Brazil are on their way to a semi final against Germany after beating Colombia 2-1. Again, it wasn't pretty, but there was a bit more drive about Brazil, which drove them to foul and foul and foul, in an attempt to stop Colombia showing them up for their own lack of creativity. And again, Hulk tried his hardest. He really did and with Neymar having an uninspiring day, it needed someone else to run at the Colombian defence. Fred was a again a mystery, so much so that I wonder what dirt he has on Big Phil, that has forced the coach to play him, or else all will be revealed. My favourite Fred moment today, on top of all the terrible touches, was when Maicon ran pretty much the length of the field down the wing, passed the ball to a teammate who quickly passed to Fred. Maicon had continued his run past Fred, but Fred decided to let the ball run through his legs, expecting Maicon to have stopped moving. The dummy tried the dummy and couldn't even get that right.

A sign of Brazil's reluctance, refusal even, to play good football was the second goal. Hulk was fouled by Rodriguez, not far from the Colombian penalty area. The ball rebounded to Fred just outside the penalty area and he had a clear run on, or shot at, goal. The referee stopped play for the foul rather than allowing a clear advantage for Fred. Not one Brazilian player complained. Why? Because, I bet they thought they had a better chance of scoring from a free kick than through Fred being one on one with the goalie. And so it was. David Luiz scored a beautiful goal from the free kick and Brazil looked home and dry, until a late Rodriguez penalty made for a nervy ending.

Of course, the terrible news for Brazil is that Neymar was kneed in the back, fractured a vertebra and is done, finished, no more World Cup. Thankfully, for him no surgery is required and the doctor says a few weeks of immobilization will see him recover. But for Brazil it is a disaster. Now the Brazilian team is going to have to form a circle around Neymar's bed and pray: Oh Great One! Now that we have lost the chosen one can you please help us by granting the chosen one's powers to another one who is only chosen by Big Phil because there is no other.

After all the players leave I can see Big Phil staying behind with Neymar.
Neymar: "It's ok, Big Phil, dont cry,"
Big Phil: "Oh Neymar what are we going to do? You were right, yes you were right. We cant do this with Uncle Fred and Cousin Jo and the Hulk"
Neymar: "but you heard the rest of the guys. The Great One will help us"
Big Phil "Neymar, even The Great One can't help us now. And I don't believe any of that anyway. It's only because of Fred, and, you know, how he found god....and the people....and....and......"
Neymar: "What Big phil, what is it?"
Big Phil: " Nothing, nothing...but he will play"
Neymar: "have faith"
Big Phil: "we are scewed, son, screwed.......

In the earlier game Germany beat France 1-0. I hate 1-0s, with a goal scored early on from set-piece, more than a 0-0. That's it? A header from a free- kick in the 12th minute and then shut up shop. At least with a 0-0, you know one team has to score at some point late in the game to win, or it will go to penalties. But this? Even France seemed to give up. I'm just surprised that the Bbc didn't call this game "turgid". It was close.