Ireland’s fans enjoy the day before the match between Spain and their team, during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Gdansk, Poland, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)
The view from Gdansk, Pre Spain/Ire – Spain expected to pound Rep of Ireland’s “irrational exuberance” ..As if, say Ireland supporters… Continue reading
Germany’s Mats Hummels smiles as Joris Mathijsen of the Netherlands, right, and Rafael van der Vaart, second left, argue during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between the Netherlands and Germany in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. (Vadim Ghirda/AP)
Oh, no Netherlands! Not again. It’s the Dutch “disease” that makes the Group of Death deadly… Continue reading
A supporter holds up a Canadian flag before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer game between Canada and Cuba. (Associated Press)
You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth – kinda thing. Behind the scenes at Euro 2012. What the world never sees. Hard-working (Canadian) journalists at work, going mental… Continue reading
Polish riot police stand guard after the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia at the National stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012. (KAI PFAFFENBACH/REUTERS)
Back in Warsaw where a riot of sorts preceded a great game. What I saw…
Ukraine's fans wear national colors as they cheer before their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match against Sweden at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, June 11, 2012. (ALEXANDER DEMIANCHUK/REUTERS)
The sour, disturbing politics of Ukraine’s victory at Euro 2012 & the country’s mission in co-hosting this surreal tournament. As eye-witnessed in Kiev…by the author… Continue reading
Czech Republic's Theodor Gebre Selassie stretches during a training session at the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Wroclaw, Poland. (Petr David Josek/The Associated Press)
Hello from Warsaw Chopin Airport, en route to Kiev… Today, Euro 2012 problems distort soccer’s benign & beautiful power on racism and for change…
 … Continue reading
Ireland's head coach Giovanni Trapattoni gestures during their international friendly soccer match against Hungary in Budapest's Puskas stadium June 4, 2012. (LASZLO BALOGH/REUTERS)
Hello from Poznan, pre Ireland vs Croatia… Il Trap, oldest manager at Euro 2012 is the most loved, feared. Leading Ireland now… Continue reading
Poland's goalkeeper Szczesny receives a red card by referee Carballo of Spain during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match against Greece at the National stadium in Warsaw (LEONHARD FOEGER/Reuters)
From Warsaw on the Euro 2012 opener – Pol 1 Gre 1. Good game but – The Wrong Man (the Ref) Hogged the Spotlight. Newbie ref has shocker, I sez… Continue reading
A woman paints the pattern of a soccer ball on her face at the Euro 2012 fan zone in Kharkiv, some 480 km (300 miles) east of Kiev. (VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS)
First report from the author in Warsaw on Opening day of Euro 2012 – What The Euro (the soccer tournament) REALLY means. Nationalism, nuttiness…it all matters more than the game… Continue reading
A giant Euro 2012 soccer championships banner is spread on Warsaw's landmark, the Palace of Culture, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 as preparation for the upcoming Euro 2012 soccer Championships in Poland and Ukraine. (Associated Press)
Tomorrow the author is in Warsaw to begin covering Euro 2012. Today – Your Euro 2012 Guide & provocative punditry (by me). All bets are off on who will dominate & win. So there… Continue reading
France coach Laurent Blanc gestures as he speaks during a press conference on November 10, 2010 in Paris (Photo FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)Bobby McMahon’s expert analysis of Group D. England, France, Ukraine, Sweden. On England – “Expectations are about as low as a hobbit’s bottom…" from Forbes mag online…
Bobby McMahon’s expert analysis of Group D. England, France, Ukraine, Sweden. On England – “Expectations are about as low as a hobbit’s bottom…” from Forbes mag online… Continue reading
Former Ireland stars John Aldridge and Ray Houghton fuel up fans Ed Hyland, left, and Liam Leonard
Dozens of camper vans, converted buses and even a caravan welded to a Ford Transit stopped traffic yesterday, ahead of their 2,000km drive to Poznan for Ireland’s opening game against Croatia…… Continue reading
Marco Tardelli
Italy’s sensational offer to withdraw from Euro 2012 ‘cos of probe into corruption in Italy, is a non-starter says Marco Tardelli. And he would know…
After being forced to qualify via the playoffs for the tournament, the Portuguese are not being talked up as potential champions, especially as they share Group B with Germany and the Netherlands. -Photo by Reuters
One-man annoyance machine Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal picks Spain to win it all
Domenico Criscito. Photograph: AFP/Getty
Big trouble for Italy or the usual thing they face and makes them stronger? You decide…
Cops raid Italy’s Euro 2012 training camp in match-fixing probe –… Continue reading
Robbie Keane
Keano to Rep. of Ireland team – “Relax lads, sure it’s only Spain, Italy and Croatia we’re playing in Poland, like…“… Continue reading
The new England manager, Roy Hodgson, talks to his squad during a training session at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA
England’s woes pre Euro 2012…Let the panic start, now… Continue reading
Doyle at BMO Field (Image: Derek Shapton)
In 2 weeks I will land in Warsaw to begin covering Euro 2012. Doing what I do. Doing what I did and what ended up being The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer
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:
