World Cup 2010 - Boring?

I am getting increasingly despondent by the reports that this is the most boring World Cup in living memory and how is isn't living up to expectations.  


Firstly we are 5 days into the tournament how can we possibly judge that.  And secondly I am thoroughly enjoying it, I think it has had it's share of excitement so far.  That is, as much excitement as you can expect from the first game of the first round.


Everyone is cagey in their first game.  There is so much talk about 'not losing your first game' that everyone plays a bit safe, a bit defensively.  This happens every single tournament.  It happens in the Champions League it happens in the European Championships, I'm sure it happens in Copa Libertadores.  Things don't entirely heat up until the final game of the group and then the knock out games when we know that there is a finale,  that there can be only one winner.   The blood really gets pumping then.  At the moment, nothing is at stake so we haven't experienced the racing pulse, the fear, the dreaded penalties,  that heartbreaking moment, that unbridled joy.


Once we get to the knockout phase any tournament steps up a gear and I truly believe, no-one will be calling it boring then.


But for those who do still think this tournament is dull so far here are my first 5 day highlights:

1. Winston Reid equalised for New Zealand against Slovakia in the final minute - Reid is Danish and even previously played for Denmark Under 21s.  He was contacted through Facebook by a New Zealand TV station asking him whether he wanted to play in the World Cup for New Zealand because he was half Kiwi.  He didn't even know he was!
2. North Korea who trained in a public gym in South Africa scored a goal in the 80th minute against Brazil making the last 10 minutes of that game very interesting
3. Germany's clinical destruction of Australia which already, everyone has forgotten about
4. And let's not forget goalkeeping errors (sorry Rob Green, but it makes me laugh)

At the end of the 2006 World Cup the BBC wrote this report about how disappointing that tournament was, so lets not forget how the media tend to be disappointed with every tournament, not just the current one.

Now stop complaining and and just enjoy what has to come.

Scotland in South Africa

Scottish football fans start every qualifying campaign the same way, full of hope, desire and thoughts that maybe, just maybe we might just do it.  But  deep down, we know that this probably won't happen (as Scots, we all live with the eternal phrase built in 'the Hope that Kills Us'). We need other things to make us feel good about ourselves.  So in 2006 and bunch of caring, travelling Scotland fans started the Tartan Army Childrens Charity (it's gone through a few names since then but that's what they are known as now)


The TACC's aim is to help disadvantaged children in Scotland and in countries that they visit whilst supporting Scotland's national football team.


Scotland did not qualify for World Cup 2010 but that did not stop the fundraising that TACC embarked on over the last two years to raise money for disadvantaged children in South Africa and ensuring that Scotland was represented. The Tartan Army Children's Charity donated £30,000 each to two deserving causes:

• Umthombo Street Children, Durban
• Let us Grow, Orange Farm, near Johannesburg

Even though Scotland didn't qualify, Scotland fans will leave their mark with a gesture that shows the world what Scotland and in particular the Tartan Army is all about.  Over the course of the last campaign they helped to raise an incredible £60,000 to support disadvantaged children in South Africa.

They did this through a variety of means, one of which being the hugely successful Kiltwalk which even I joined in.  Around 500 people got dressed in their 500 people got dressed up pin the finest Tartan Army attire (yes kilts) and walked from 26 miles from Hampden Park in Glasgow to Loch Lomond.  

For more information on TACC and for details of a visit to the Let us Grow project go to http://www.tartanarmychildrenscharity.org.uk/cms/static.php?page=sa-blog

World Cup 2010 - Never Write off the Germans

Today I can't talk about the BBC TV coverage of Algeria v Slovenia game without choking on my rage so all I will say is this: Gary Lineker, if you do not want to be there go home. Do not belittle any team, any player or any game in this tournament. Every team who qualified got there on merit and to say the words "Not all games in the world cup can be big ones, and this one certainly falls into that the not category" and to go on to say "we have to watch these type of games too" These teams are in England's group! You should be riveted to this game. As I said if you don't want to be there, I'm sure there are many better and more qualified presenters that would like to take your place.

Anyway, last night we saw our first sign of Germany and as the old saying goes, we should never write of the Germans. They looked sharp, clinical and united. No-one has mentioned Germany in the run up to this tournament but Germany are always there or there abouts, but before we all jump on the bandwagon, I will admit they were very impressive last night. Lets remember they were playing a decidedly poor Australian side, who also had their best player sent off.

Germany should get out the group pretty easily, although Ghana will give them a run for their money. The English pundits last night got excited about the winner of this group meeting the runner up from England's group in the next round which could mean and England v Germany game. (Because lets not forget, everything as far as the TV coverage I have to endure, revolves around England)

There has also been talk over the weekend regarding the vuvuzelas being banned. They have described as sounding like a 'swarm of bees' or my personal favourite 'a goat being dragged to slaughter'. Some players are blaming the vuvuzelas for poor performances, saying they are distracting and they can't concentrate on the pitch. Some fans are saying they can't hear the commentary. My personal opinion, is that once the game has started, I barely notice them after a while. I like the colour and the noise. It gives the tournament a unique soundtrack. Every tournament has something that you remember about it.

Italia '90, everyone was humming Nessun Dorma

France '98 it was Carnival De Paris that everyone remembers

Japan/South Korea '02 all you heard was Girls screaming from the crowds

Every tournament has a soundtrack, whether it's a song, a sound, a colour. It's something memorable and unique from that tournament so keep the vuvuzela!

World Cup 2010 - England 1 - 1 USA

England were 100% sure this was going to be an easy game for them, the pundits were sure, the team was sure, the fans were sure. After all, it's only America, they don't know how to play 'soccer' anyway.

England get off to a resounding start with Stevie G scoring in the 6th minute, well at least I think so because all I saw was an advert because I was watching on ITV HD and that's what they cut to. England played OK, but as usual they never look like a unit. I have watched every game in the World Cup so far and one thing I will say is all the teams look united on and off the pitch. When you see them in the tunnel, they may look nervous but they encourage each other. I did not see any two England players talk to each other in the tunnel. They do not look as if they are in it together. You do not see them talk to each other on the pitch you only see them shout and shrug at each other. When Steven Gerrard scored, he went over to the fans to celebrate, his first reaction was not to go to his team mates. When Robert Green made his mistake for the USA goal, not one England player went over and gave him a pat on the back. As I write this I have just watched the Algerian goalkeeper make a howler to let in a goal against Slovenia and two of his team mates went straight over to him.

The English media and fans have done nothing but vilify Rob Green today and blame him for the fact that England did not win last night but I think they need to take a long hard look at themselves. England need to be united if they want to progress in this tournament. They have some of the best players in the World Cup but they by no means have the best team.

Steven Gerrard would never be my choice for captain. Yes he is inspirational and can drive forward, but he is greedy, he does not lead the team. The man for that is, of course, John Terry. The other problem is I believe there is still two sides to the camp that even the great Fabio Capello has not managed to root out.

If England want to progress they need to stop playing like individuals and start playing and acting like a team. And maybe, just maybe that when you you pull on the shirt of your nation you carry your nations hopes and dreams that wearing that shirt is a privilege, not a right.

And I say all of this as a Scot who really would rather England didn't do very well.

World Cup 2010 - Day 1

The World Cup began today. Now to explain, I love the world cup, I get quite obsessed. I have taken a week's annual leave from work to ensure I can watch all the games, I have built up my flexi time so that I can watch all the games after I go back.

However, the downside to watching the world cup is I have to endure the UK TV coverage. In the UK there is a law that states major tournaments such as the European championships and the World Cup are on free to air, terrestrial TV channels.

So today the opening ceremony was on ITV, this started with the fact that there is ITV HD although you have to hunt for it on the SKY. We were greeted by Adrian Chiles, who recently defected from the BBC, who seemed as excited as Droopy needing a nap. He was joined by Andy Townsend and Gareth Southgate who spent most of there time complaining about the vuvuzelas keeping them awake at 1am. They are clearly getting into the atmosphere of the tournament there.

The opening ceremony began and ITV in their wisdom cut to adverts during it, meaning we were missing parts of it. Then every time we cut back to the studio, Adrian Chiles continued to look bored. He then goes on just before the beginning of the first match "sorry Mexico fans, but there is no-one supporting you, we are South Africa fans today". Truly, a massive W**ker.

Then we'll move onto BBC Coverage for the evening match. Uruguay v France

I won't go into to much detail here but: Due to the unique way in which the BBC is funded, they have a rotating studio. Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer and Adebayor at least had some excitement showing which contrasted the earlier ITV coverage, however in the build up to the match all the BBC did was tell us about England's preparations, the England squad, the England manager, England's injuries etc. At half time - instead of analysis we got more about England - oh and more moaning about the vuvuzelas.

Here is a tip for both broadcasters: I would like to hear about players from all 32 teams, not just the ones from England who I already know about. I would particularly like to hear the line up and preparations of the teams that are about to play in the game that I am about to watch. At half time analysis about the game that's going on would be awesome (although to be honest, I'm getting the drinks in and using the facilities so it's not that important)

We're only at day 1 so you have time to get your acts together.

By the way - the best world cup calendar: http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

A day at the park

My dog is stuck in the house all day when I'm at work, don't get me wrong I don't really think he minds. If I come home early, he meets me at the door yawning.

Anyway, although he enjoys his sleep he needs a lot of exercise. So every night when I get home from work, I take him to my local park. It is a good sized park, its about a mile around and loads of space to kick a ball around which is his want.

Anyway, come rain, sleet or snow my dog gets his walk of around mile round this park or something equivalent. In the summer I meet and chat to around 5-6 other dog owners and see maybe another 5 or 6 yet in the winter, I'm lucky to see 1 other person down there. Where are they the rest of the time?

Let the animal out

I have a dog and class myself as a pretty good dog owner. Don't get me wrong, my dog is not perfect and I have had many many moments where my I've been in the owner with 'that dog'. For example when when he jumps out the car runs straight down to the beach into the water and squares up to a swan while everyone else watches, like when everyone else avoids the gigantic muddy puddle but he runs through splashing then encourages other dogs to follow, like when he loses his ball in the river and has 4 different people doing the 'dawwww' face and climbing in to get it out for him.

However, I am firm believer that if you own a dog you should learn how to train it. You know, do a bit of research, read up, watch some of the many shows on TV on the matter. My personal saviour is the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. My dog was wild when I got him at the age of four. He wandered off, he charged, he escaped, he barked, he jumped up to name but a few, but now he's....no bad.

In the UK we are lucky as you don't have to keep your dog on the lead. We have the pleasure of being able to let our dogs run free (which is great if you take the time to train your dog) I regularly take my dog long walks, I like to vary the venue but one of my favourite things is the social aspect of a park for the dogs and for me. The majority of dog owners at parks are great. However, there are the few who go to this wide open space, don't let their dogs off the lead and even worse freak out when another dog goes over to theirs. They panic when my dog sniffs their dog's behind. This is what dogs do to greet each other, it is normal. But no the panicky owner is shouting at this stage to get my dog under control.

I tend to make a point around these people to NOT put my dog on the lead. To NOT call him off and to let him basically do what he wants. The more the other person wants me to shackle my dog, the less likely I am to do it. You also notice that these people's dogs generally have a jealousy in their eyes that they want to play.

If you are going to take your dog to the park, let them play, let them get dirty, let them have fun. You might just find it brings a smile to your crackling old face too.