Yes, football, or fussball, or le foot, or futbol is the beautiful game. The World Cup starts tomorrow, which is one of the few genuinely global games. England have a very good manager, who may make the difference this time, even if it goes to the dreaded penalties again. My English half would like to see them avoid their customary underachievement. My French side would like to forget that they cheated their way into the finals, and hope they don't embarass themselves. I would like to see those underachievers, Holland or Spain, win. Holland, especially have come heartbreakingly close twice before, when they played the beautiful game at its best.
It's a fact that since the World Cup began in 1930, one of the big 4 of Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina has been in every final. It would be nice to hope for a final between two teams outside that cartel.
Football (for this is indeed the name of the game) has given me more drama, joy, heartbreak, exhilaration, and appreciation of the grace and artistry than any TV programme or film. As the late, great Bill Shankly said, "Football is not a matter of life and death. It's much more important than that"
Ha ha!
