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GOM World Cup Diary #13: Whatever Happened To The Surprise?

The World Cup’s biggest stars did exactly what everyone expected, but football still found room for a surprise. The Grumpy Old Man wonders why we try to predict everything when the game we love keeps proving that nobody really knows what will happen.

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World Cup 2026

June 22, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #12: Whatever Happened To Knowing Your Place?

GOM World Cup Diary #12: Whatever Happened To Knowing Your Place? Last week, Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain. The experts were surprised. Then Cape Verde drew 2-2 with Uruguay. The experts were surprised

June 21, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #11: Why Is Everybody Always In Such A Hurry?

Why Is Everybody Always In Such A Hurry? Last week Tunisia lost 5-1. Their response was immediate. The manager was shown the door. A new man was appointed. Fresh ideas were promised. Optimism returned. Then yesterday Tunisia

June 20, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #10: Whatever Happened To Private Conversations?

Whatever Happened To Private Conversations? Last night a footballer was sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. Which came as something of a surprise. When I was younger, covering

June 19, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #9: Whatever Happened To One Match At A Time?

Whatever Happened To One Match At A Time? Yesterday Mexico became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. A fine achievement. They've played well, collected the points

June 18, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #8: Why Can’t We Ever Just Enjoy It?

GOM World Cup Diary #8: Why Can't We Ever Just Enjoy It? England won 4-2 last night. Just let that sink in for a moment. Four goals scored. Three points secured. A winning start to

June 17, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #7: Why Does It Take Seven People To Get It Wrong?

Why Does It Take Seven People To Get It Wrong? Last night I watched another controversial VAR decision. Or perhaps I should say I watched seven people spend several minutes trying to

June 16, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #6: Why Do We Bother With Experts?

GOM World Cup Diary #6: Why Do We Bother With Experts? Yesterday I was told Spain would comfortably beat Cape Verde. The experts said so. The statistics said so. The betting markets said so. The

June 15, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #5: Do We Really Need 48 Teams?

GOM World Cup Diary #5: Do We Really Need 48 Teams? Germany beat Curaçao 7-1 yesterday. Which was unfortunate for Curaçao. And, if we're being completely honest, not especially surprising for the rest

June 14, 20260Comments

GOM World Cup Diary #4: Whatever Happened to Just Watching the Match?

GOM World Cup Diary #4: Whatever Happened to Just Watching the Match? I spent part of yesterday watching football supporters watching football. Which, when you think about it, is a rather strange

by DaveThomas

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