July 2010
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They Think It's All Over (It is now)
That famous piece of TV commentary capped England’s World Cup win in 1966. That happened before even I was born. Just sayin’.
Spain’s win on Sunday was A Good Thing. Unless you were Dutch, of course. There is little not to love about these Spaniards/Catalans except the fear that these guys become the New Brazil, ie, Spain shirts become pret a porter fashion de rigeur for the...
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Best video coverage of World Cup ever →
I know it’s over but ESPN, BBC, SBS and, YES, Supersport (with Gary Bailey) – you lose.
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Why South Africa Was The Worst World Cup Ever →
Some pundits claim South Africa was the worst World Cup ever. They could have at least travelled to South Africa before passing judgement. But, on one level, they were right. Tragically so.
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They missed an incredible experience, they missed an incredible World Cup. Just...
– Danny Jordaan, World Cup LOC CEO, on World Cup skeptics who stayed home. He is right.
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We have surrendered national sovereignty to a gang of old, white men in Geneva...
– Damn those South Africans for trying to spoil the party. The party that’s, um, being held in their own house. Interesting local perspective on the World Cup here: http://newfranktalk.book.co.za/blog/2010/07/06/introduction-to-the-people-vs-phillip-how-the-anc-sold-us-for-a-cup/
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Australia's 2011 deal with Germany denied by FFA →
An email from a secret “consultant” has revealed a deal betwen Germany and Australia that FFA has long denied. Oh.
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Joachim Low's €299 sweater →
The German coach’s famous v-neck costs 299 Euros?! Who does that?! Oh.
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Brooklyn, Johannesburg, the apocalypse. →
In which Brooklyn really does resemble Johannesburg. Or is it the end of the world? I forget.
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A Walk Through Nelspruit →
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they are not after you.
June 2010
94 posts
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Australia's World Cup Scandal Explained →
One day, not too far away, I hope to further explain this story and tell of the FFA bully boys and its very distasteful way of doing business. Until then, have a read of this.
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England Get Their Pants Back
– Street banner ad for South African newspaper The Star. June 29. “Authorities” have apparently located the underwear stolen from the England team hotel rooms during the Germany game.
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I felt like getting the ball and booting it over the stand. Getting my boots,...
– Australia’s Harry Kewell explains his real reaction to his red card against Ghana.
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The Glory Days of Oceania →
I was at a few of these games. After the 31-0 win over American Samoa I spent the following night with their team. They prayed at dinner and then we watched Leeds United v Liverpool live on TV. Harry Kewell was playing for Leeds. He wore gloves. The Samoans thought that was hilarious.
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A bar in Nelspruit, South Africa. The night before AUS-SRB. Some Australian fans sang Advance Australia Fair. Locals hit back with this.
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This Dutchman has that silly grin and is always whining, which makes him look...
– South Africa newspaper The Sowetan on Australia coach Pim Verbeek.
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“I’m here with eight mates and most of them are rugby league fans...
– From Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, quoting Australian supporters after the game against Ghana in Rustenburg.
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Cold & Hungry at the World Cup
There were many things to consider leaving Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday night after Australia’s 1-1 draw with Ghana.
Handball? Not handball? Red card? No red card? Great performance by Australia? Rubbish by Ghana?
Oh, and there was also the two or three hour drive back to Johannesburg to think about.
But walking out past the X-Ray machines in front of the media entrance (now exit),...
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Here's a video from Argentina to inspire everyone →
In my country they… oh never mind.
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Ardiles Wants "Ossie" Job →
My scoop for AAP. Be interesting to see how this runs over the next few days. Ardiles is the anti-Verbeek. Attack! Attack! Attack!
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How to help Americans like "soccer" (video). →
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Those Durban Riots In Full →
Workers protested about poor pay after the Australia-Germany match. Here’s my account for SBS News and video.
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This was the worst referee in this competition so far. He looked very unfair...
– South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after referee Massimo Busacca killed Bafana’s hopes.
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What I Do For My Day Job →
And So, Prince Harry spoke. And all was not well…
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Harry Has A Go - (Back) At A Journalist
Harry Kewell made today’s pre-training mix zone a spectacle today. Usually, these affairs are dull and full of cliche.
This afternoon, Kewell made an appearance, demanding to know where, exactly, was Michael Cockerill of the Sydney Morning Herald.
Cockerill has written a string of recent articles on Kewell, all uncomplimentary. His last piece (which I won’t link to) attempted to make...
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It soon became apparent this would not be the walkover that football’s...
– Sean Ingle of The Guardian on North Korea versus Brazil.