Monthly Archives: November 2009

Zidane’s “Coup de Boule” Redux

As we look forward to 2010, it’s impossible not to dwell a bit on the unforgettable ending of the 2006 World Cup final. Here’s a recent essay that goes back to Zidane’s head-butt and to the many interpretations of it that emerged.

World Cups 2006 and 2010

Since we will be talking about the upcoming World Cup in South Africa this week I thought it was an appropriate time to write a post about my experience at the 2006 Cup and my plans for 2010… I was lucky enough to get to attend the Portugal vs. Iran game in the group stage… Read More »

Superman from Bilbao

From the game between Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/UfDzV0AgECA” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

Istanbul Derbies

As I have purchased my tickets for several football games in Istanbul during the winter break, I wanted to share some videos with you that make me get excited each time I see them. Yet, before that, I want to say something about the team and supporters culture back home. Firstly, although I am a… Read More »

10 days to go…

The drawing of lots for the 2010 World Cup will be determined on the 4th of December.  FIFA have yet to announce the seeding procedure and thus a mixture of geographical draw precedent, current FIFA rankings and past World Cup performance points, and upcoming ranking changes, have been used to complete the below. Goal.com underlines… Read More »

Wi9an Athletic

You have probably heard of Wigan’s destruction while facing Tottenham Spurs this past Saturday. Just in case you have not, here is a link: Tottenham-Wigan Athletic. Wigan took their first step towards the Premier League in 1997 when they won the Third Division under John Deehan.  Paul Jewell then earned promotion to the First Division with… Read More »

Play Like a Soccer Star

Thierry Henry may have handled the ball to pick up an assist in France’s 1-1 tie against Ireland, but that doesn’t mean he can’t also score goals all by himself, or all by his hand. That’s at least the point of this game. Click the link and then click on “Joeur” to see how many… Read More »

Henry, God’s Hand and the Philosophy of Football

With the furor surrounding the France-Ireland game, and Thierry Henry’s decisive handball, dying down a little, it may be time to think through what just happened, and what it illuminates for us about the sport of football. After receiving a barrage of criticism, a not inconsiderable amount of it openly racist, Henry redeemed himself in… Read More »

Gallas?!

If football were fair in any way, Ireland would be heading to the World Cup in South Africa. Instead, after a largely weak performance, France snuck through thanks to a handball by Thierry Henry converted into a header by Gallas.  Irish fans, who packed in large numbers in the Stade de France, are surely reeling… Read More »

South Africa’s Brazilian love affair

Last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Japan was Carlos Alberto Parreira’s first game back in charge of South Africa. You would be forgiven if you thought that the tenure of Brazilian compatriot, Joel Santana, as Bafana coach had just been a dream. The promise of good things that emerged from their Confederations Cup campaign had since… Read More »