Football, all over the world

Day -85 WorldCup2018

It's amazing that in the 17 hours that I'm awake I don't find enough time to write about football. I think about it. So here I am, almost tomorrow, and I haven't recorded the day.

The international week started today with some matches that will have attracted little attention, unless you in Andorra are a celebrating a rare away victory (vs Liechtenstein) or if you in Qatar and are enjoying the news about a morale boosting win, before 2022, in Iraq.

Tomorrow there are some more classics lined up. I bet there will be thousands lining up to watch World Cup qualifying flops Algeria take on Tanzania. In the Faroe Islands, the locals might be watching TV instead of trudging out to see the Latvians in town. And in Malta, I know most of the locals will be staying home to watch TV, even if the TV isn't working, rather than venturing out for another attempt at winning a football match. Luxembourg are the lucky victims this time. There's is always hope and despite my sarcastic pessimism I always want to believe that a new dawn is upon Maltese football, again.

The big matches are on Friday: Russia-Brazil, Holland-England, Argentina-Italy, Germany-Spain to name a few. But no matter how much hype surrounds these clashes of the world's football superpowers nothing compares to the real action in June. The only winners and losers are the fringe players who either played the match of their life to stake a huge claim for a spot in the World Cup squad, or the other fringe players who messed up their one opportunity to be considered for Russia.

Algeria '82

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It may be a short one today. To carry on with my 1982 theme this is one of the greatest World Cup upsets which was then followed by one of the greatest World Cup travesties. But the moment itself, when Algeria beat the mighty West Germany, was wonderful not just for the win but for the way the unknown Africans did it: it was exciting, creative football. Just like Algeria in 2014. And in 2014 they did make it to the second round unlike in 1982 when the Germans and Austrians colluded to make sure they both progressed at the expense of the Algerians.

No war, it's football

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Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, said today that when it comes to the World Cup in Russia, "we are not going to war." Amidst fears of violence, especially between Russian and English fans. he maintained it will be a football party. Good for him. Let's hope

In 1982 I watched my first World Cup and l was vaguely aware that a real war was ending just as that World Cup was starting. Years later it was revealed that the British government considered pulling Scotland, England and Northern Ireland out of the World Cup as the Falklands War carried on. But it was also decided that pulling the Home Nations out would give Argentina a propaganda victory.

It was only after Espana '82 that I fully grasped the horrors of that war in a far away place and why British ships sailed all that way to fight the Argentinians. I do recall the news at the time of the British ships that were bombed. But there was a lot more than that. In Spain I remember a picture of the older English gentleman in his Union Jack outfit having his top hat knocked off his head as he went over to greet a group of Argentinian fans in the stadium were England were playing. What was his name? There was a story about him, I believe but Google is not helping me out. Anybody?

So, unfortunately, I was ignorant of what was really going on when England played France in their first match and after 27 seconds I had witnessed England's first goal at a World Cup in my life. Not bad, I thought. I feel guilty when I think how happy I was despite their being a war going on. So, you're right Mr Infantino, let's enjoy the football and not have it spoiled by idiots who think they can make up a war.

"Daar is em, goaaaal, goaaal...."

Day -88 WorldCup2018

I would hope that somebody read my statement of intent, or non-intent, yesterday when it comes to mentioning from now on a team from Birmingham in the midst of a promotion battle. I am reminding myself more than anybody else. It will be quite easy for a couple of weeks with the much-maligned international break coming up next week. But it won't be easy trying to feign interest in non-competitive matches which are the reason for putting what matters on hold.

Therefore, rather than looking forward to matches between teams that are giving false hope to players that they may make the trip to Russia and other teams who are terribly embarrassed that they are not going to Russia and represent a country of depressed football fans, I will look back at happy World Cup memories for a while.

I've been doing this for over 900 days, plus the 365 days before Brazil 2014 so there may be some repeats. But they're still good.

What better place to start then the opening match of the first World Cup that I watched, and the first upset of that World Cup. And it is also fitting seeing as the very talented Belgium team are seen as contenders for ultimate victory in Russia.

Belgium 1 Argentina 0.

My Villa silence

Day -89 WorldCup2018

"Football is the most important thing, amongst the least important in life." (Arrigo Sacchi)
It's the second time in about a month that I'm using this quote. It hit me again today. I can, but won't, list many, many things, current and ongoing, that I recognize as being more important than Aston Villa making it back to the Premier League, England being at the World Cup when the majority of the teams have gone home and Malta winning a football match. But, it has to be said, it is a lot of fun celebrating the highs and a deep emotion dealing with the lows.

I vowed a few moths ago to not mention Aston Villa's progress until promotion was almost guaranteed. After 8 wins in a row and then a couple more, I thought it was safe to come back to letting loose a little bit. But just like one of my superstitions is to not look at the "as it stands" table until the final whistle has blown, I should not have talked about Villa's progress until I was basking in the relief and knowledge that they would be playing Manchester City and United, Liverpool and Tottenham next season.

Two defeats in a row have now left us, the fans, not looking at catching Cardiff in second place but worrying about making the playoffs. Today I took my superstitions to a new level as Villa toiled against Bolton. It used to be radio on or off depending on whether Villa had previously scored when it was on or off. Today it was check Twitter....no, Bolton scored....don't check...but...maybe....no!....leave it for 5 minutes, come back to it...no!...but that was probably only 30 seconds....ok, empty the dishwasher, then check....clean the kitchen.....no!.....that didn't work. Ok, go out and leave it. No! Nothing. Game over.

So that's it. I have to go back to my pretend ignorance of all things Villa. I will still watch, I will still follow every minute but there will be no mention here, or little mention. From now it's full on World Cup, some Champions League, some politics, some family jokes or experiences. And look out for Villa news in May.

There'll be more Platini and less Grealish, Eder over Hogan and Valderrama before Terry.

So here's a start. To paraphrase Sacchi, "football is the thing that can make some of us happy, as a diversion from the things that we really have to worry about." Not many have made us feel the emotion of football better than Marco Tardelli.

All about heritage

Day -90 WorldCup2018

Jose Mourinho and football heritage has to be the theme of the day today. "This is heritage." I think that might become his standard answer to any press conference question that he doesn't really want to answer from now on.

"Jose, you lost to Brighton today and are now also out of the FA Cup. How do you explain this disappointment to the fans?'

"Brighton, 36 years ago were in the final of the FA Cup. They didn't win it, Man United did, but this is football heritage. Do you understand? Heritage.

"Can I name any players in this Brighton team who are better than the players in my team? There are many, but I cannot name them, because then their agents will be rubbing their hands in glee at how much money they can make. There are many Brighton players I would like in my team...like, er....the midfielder....no, I cannot mention his name...and the other one...but, again, I can't say his name. They are good players and our fans should understand that. And football heritage."

Route one and Glenn Murray might be the answer, not heritage.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, find a video of Mourinho's incredible (good or bad, up for discussion) press conference today. After the 12 minute rant, the second part is pretty good too. Was it the sign of a genius brain or a man who has run out of excuses, knows it, and resorted to pre-planning a full out attack that nobody would dare question?

I have a feeling one of the sideshows of this year's World Cup is going to be replayed videos of Mourinho's analysis on Russian TV.

The Red Bull final is still a possibility after today's Europa League quarterfinals draw. I wonder if it happened if UEFA would allow a Red Bull Crashed Ice race and a Red Bull Air Race as past of the pre-match festivities. And how about have Felix Baumgartner do another Red Bull Stratos space jump to land in the centre circle just before kick-off with the match ball in his hand. Or we could all just be drinking a lot of Red Bull to stay awake if its CSKA Moscow against Sporting Lisbon in the final.

A few days ago Australia announced that Graham Arnold will be the new coach of the Socceroos, after the World Cup. Before that he will watch to see what magic Bert van Marwijk can conjure up in his five month reign. What heritage will Arnodl be left to work with?
VAR is going to be used at the World Cup, it was officially announced today. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) approved it's use in a vote earlier thsi month. In one of those quirks of international football the Ifab is made up or members of the English, Northern Irish, Welsh and Scottish FA's and four FIFA members. It's a strange tradition, or heritage, that the British FA's have the biggest say in the rules of the game. And maybe ironic that the Premier League has said it will not be introducing VAR anytime soon.

Heritage, heritage. Cant get it out of my head. Like that song that you hear on the radio and can't stand but you're singing it all day. Jose, I'll give you some heritage.

Lots of Red Bull

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I will get to more World Cup stuff tomorrow. Today was Europa Cup day. Arsenal, Lazio, Marseille, CSKA Moscow, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig are one step closer to finally making the disappointment of qualifying for the tournament they didn't want be in pay off.

There's some good teams in there. Just imagine an Arsenal-Atletico Madrid final. Or Marseille-Lazio. Or how about the two Red Bull teams? The jokes would just be too easy, wouldn't they? All that Red Bull in the stadium. All those fans full of energy. That is, if UEFA allow the sale of Red Bull in stadiums.

There was a good chance that one of either Salzburg and Leipzig weren't even going to be in European competition this season. UEFA had to make a decision as to whether the two teams were breaking the rules of having two teams with the same owners playing in the same competition. They did announce before both teams played in the Champions League at the end of last summer that there was nothing preventing them from playing because Red Bull are only a sponsor of Salzburg and not an owner as they are with Leipzig.

And I don't really have anything else tonight but am struggling to end this. Shall I grab a Red Bull?