John Doyle along with some fellow Canadians on a train in Poland.(The Globe and Mail)
A missing piece from the Euro 2012 story – how I ended up on a train, in a hockey helmet, drinking beer with Canadian guys in Team Canada outfits, plus an anti-Euro protest, a priest and good times… Continue reading
Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas celebrates after third goal during their Euro 2012 final soccer match against Italy at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, July 1, 2012. (Eddie Keogh/REUTERS)
And…The Final Report from Euro 2012, I was in Kiev for Final – Spain’s victory means its tactics and thinking will be copied endlessly. And yet it is hard to imagine that its success, let alone its methods, can ever be matched…isn’t it?… Continue reading
Italy’s Mario Balotelli arrives for a training session ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, June 30, 2012. (Darko Vojinovic/The Associated Press)
In Kiev for Euro 2012 Final. We can only speculate but..Momentum is with Italy, Spain era could end as it began at Euro2008, against Italy, it says here…… Continue reading
Ireland soccer fans cheer before their Group C Euro 2012 soccer match between Italy and Ireland at the city stadium in Poznan, June 18, 2012. (PETR JOSEK/REUTERS)
This is IT – the stream of consciousness, strung-out account of what it’s REALLY like to cover Euro 2012. “Funny and sinister..” an early reader said. You think this is glamorous..? ha bloody ha… Continue reading
Italy’s Balotelli celebrates his goal against Germany during their Euro 2012 semi-final soccer match at National Stadium in Warsaw (Reuters)
Still here at Euro 2012. A Spain/Italy Final. What the hell happened? Hubris (and Balotelli) caused that German Surrender in Warsaw, read all about it
Andrea Pirlo (L) and Daniele de Rossi of Italy’s national soccer team warm up (PASCAL LAUENER/REUTERS)
At Germany v Italy semi-final today in Warsaw. Here’s the thing – Italy clings to history and slim hopes, it’s all its got, against Germany… Continue reading
Spain’s Cesc Fabregas reacts during the Euro 2012 semi-final soccer match against Portugal at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, June 27, 2012. (ALESSANDRO BIANCHI/REUTERS)
That wasn’t good – Spain reaches Euro Final more with a whimper than a bang.Their time is surely up…
 … Continue reading
Cristiano Ronaldo ()
Here at Euro 212, from Kiev – It’s delusional to believe Portugal & Ronaldo can beat Spain. Spain is laughing at that, it says here……… Continue reading
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts during the penalty shoot-out at their Euro 2012 quarter-final soccer match against England at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, June 24, 2012. (TONY GENTILE/REUTERS)
From Kiev – 10 Things we Learned in England’s loss to Italy. Like, Rooney was rubbish. Andrea Pirlo worth 10 England players… Continue reading
Spain’s Sergio Busquets heads the ball during their Euro 2012 quarter-final soccer match against France at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, June 23, 2012. (Vasily Fedosenko/REUTERS)
Here at Euro2012, (today Warsaw, Tonight Kiev) – Spain’s triumph is the triumph of soccer as a middle-class, bourgeois game. A theory going around..one that drives some people insane… Continue reading
A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses as she simulates playing a soccer match to protest against the euro zone debt crisis, in front of the Chigi palace in Rome, June 22, 2012. The message on the goal post reads: “Tax on the financial transactions”. (Remo Casilli/REUTERS)
At the Euro 2012 – Germany v Greece. This Match is about money, big money. And corporate sponsors & feeling left out. From Gdansk…… Continue reading
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo kicks the ball in front of Czech Republic’s Michal Kadlec (R) during their Euro 2012 quarter-final soccer match at the National stadium in Warsaw, June 21, 2012. (KAI PFAFFENBACH/REUTERS)
In Gdansk today for Germany/Greece. From Warsaw last night – It’s the ideal team conditions (he thrives like a flower) that make this Euro C Ronaldo’s tournament to own or lose…… Continue reading
Stan Stanfield, an England fan from London, poses with Funtik the psychic pig who makes “predictions” for the Euro 2012 soccer championship matches.
Inside Euro2012 From the stadium in Warsaw pre Portugal/Czech -Quarter-Final, The Consensus is… Port, Germany, Spain win, England & Italy unknowable
Italy’s Mario Balotelli scores his side’s second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group C match between Italy and the Republic of Ireland in Poznan, Poland. (Peter Morrison/AP)
This Euro 2012 is a classic of skills & off-field drama – From C Ronaldo’s dominance to Racist chants, to pre-game Riot to Balotelli’s magic, to Greece’s triumph over Russia. Highs & Lows of Euro so far, my list from Warsaw base…… Continue reading
While Wayne Rooney scored the only goal, defender John Terry made sure Ukraine stayed out of the England net. Sort of. (YVES HERMAN/REUTERS)
Here at Euro 2012, as the First Round ends – England’s Hour Has Come – The Triumph of Traditional Soccer over that Fancypants Possession Game… Continue reading
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts after their victory at the Group C Euro 2012 soccer match against Ireland at the City stadium in Poznan, June 18, 2012. REUTERS/Sergio Perez (SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS)
From Poznan today – This is an Inelegant & Undeserving Italy that advances to Quarter-Finals at Euro 2012… Continue reading
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal against Netherlands during their Group B Euro 2012 soccer match at Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, June 17, 2012. (YVES HERMAN/REUTERS)
Never mind Rooney. Main Euro story today is Cristiano Ronaldo goes from Annoyance to Achiever for Portugal, at last.
(Today, Poznan for Italy v Rep of Ireland..oh Lordy)… Continue reading
Greek players celebrate their 1-0 win at the end of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Greece and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, June 16, 2012. (Michael Sohn/The Associated Press)
Inside Euro2012. From Warsaw – The Local & Global implications of Greece IN the Euro, Poland OUT, Russia OUT. Financial markets & European leaders take note – it’s more than a game, always… Continue reading
England’s Andy Carroll celebrates scoring his team’s first goal against Sweden during their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, June 15, 2012. (MICHAEL DALDER/REUTERS)
Just when you think England isn’t insufferable, along comes Andy Carroll and his hair. The hype about England is irrational and hilarious… Continue reading
(THOMAS BOHLEN/REUTERS)
A question: Is Spain really so magnificent or was Republic of Ireland just embarrassingly bad. (plus some scenes here from Gdansk last night)… Continue reading
John Doyle's latest book, The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness and Meaning of Soccer is from Doubleday Canada.
Doyle is the Television Critic for The Globe and Mail. (click here for his official Globe and Mail Bio).
He also writes about soccer for The Globe and Mail and other publications. For the Globe he covered World Cup 2002 in Korea/Japan, Euro 2004 in Portugal, World Cup 2006 in Germany and Euro 2008 in Austria /Switzerland. He has also written extensively about soccer for The New York Times and The Guardian.
Doyle is author of A Great Feast of Light (Doubleday Canada) which received great acclaim and bestseller status in Canada in October, 2005. It has also been published in the U.S., United Kingdom and Ireland.
Doyle has won two internal Globe and Mail awards for his writing. His Globe columns have been reprinted in the U.S., the U.K. and in Australia.
Purchase both titles online at:
