World Cup Diary – Page 2 – Dave Thomas's Blog

June 23, 20260Comments

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.

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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