David Villa is carried off on a stretcher after breaking his tibia against Qatar's Al-Sadd in the semi-final of the World Club Challenge in Japan in December. Photograph: Shizuo Kambayashi/AP
Now this is getting interesting – Cancel that bet on Spain winning Euro 2012. No Villa for España… Continue reading
A totally excellent Beginners Guide to Euro 2012 from the totally reliable guys at EPL Talk… Continue reading
Insane remix of Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) & Jarzębina’s Koko Euro Spoko for Euro 2012.
The madness goes on in Poland…Euro 2012 coming soon
Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben celebrates scoring against Real Madrid from the penalty spot during the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
It’s all over for Chelsea, already. It says here. (This author agrees..)… Continue reading
Andy Carroll and Rio Ferdinand. Photo: Getty Images
Oh jeez…Old reliable Rio Ferdinand out. Loose canon John Terry in. Andy “Tarzan” Carroll in. Can this lot beat France, Sweden and Ukraine at Euro 2012..?… Continue reading
Oh my dears, this Euro 2012 IS going to be fun.
Poland’s official song for the tournament: “Koko Koko Euro Spoko.” Has to be seen to be believed. Genius…
Zatańczymy? It’s disco time – the official theme songamajig for Euro 2012. Warsaw and Kiev, here we come…
Is Chelsea’s Triumph Against Barcelona A Victory for English Football Or A Sign Of Its Decline? A good read here
Trapattoni: Looking towards Euro 2012. Photograph: Morgan Treacy / InphoIl Trap speaks – “…the Irish manager also cautioned about having too much young talent.”Il Trap speaks – “…the Irish manager also cautioned about having too much young talent.”
Il Trap speaks – “…the Irish manager also cautioned about having too much young talent.”
Ireland has an allegedly easy Group. Games against Croatia, Spain & Italy. No worries… Continue reading
Arrive Warsaw Thursday June 7 to cover EURO 2012 in Poland & Ukraine.
Remember EURO 2008…?
Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrates the team's qualification for Euro 2012. Photo: Sportsfile
Crikey. The FIFA ranking are out, ahead of EURO 2012. Italy drop to 12. Rep of Ireland jump up, up… Continue reading
Torsten Frings to Toronna FC (also some Dutch bloke). I was there in the stadium in Munich to see Frings score this beauty…
With FIFA Women’s World Cup under way, the Book Club Reviews site highlights The World is a Ball…
Most excellent soccer weekend, my friends. UEFA Under-21 Final, Spain vs Switzerland, TSN, 2:30p.m. Saturday. Women’s World Cup, Germany vs Canada, Sunday, CBC 11:45 a.m… Continue reading
At FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Canada was losing 1-2 until the dying moments when goalkeeper Quillan Roberts delivered a goal from the gods…
The next Messi. Alexsi Sanchez. Age 22. At Udinese in Italy, 12 goals in Serie A last season, and 12 goals in 36 games for Chile. Off to one of the following – Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Intern… Continue reading
For a summer without a World Cup or Euro, this is one sizzling soccer summer. The UEFA Under 21 tournament is on, and on TV here.
Then…FIFA Women’s World Cup, June 26-July 17. And …all Copa América matches on TV here, July 1-24 from Argentina. 12 Countries. 26 Matches. Incl., Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico. Plus… FIFA Under 20 World Cup, from Colombia, July 29-August 20. Oh yes, and Toronto FC… Continue reading
If you missed this one, you missed a doozy. Ireland 2, Italy 0. International Friendly. But “friendly” my posterior. Essentially a second-string, young Irish team beating top-notch Italy with aplomb Continue reading
A number of Irish players were reluctant to show up for an end of season away game against Macedonia. Final result: Macedonia 0, Ireland 2. Ireland, Russia & Slovakia now tied in Qualifying Group for next year’s Euro 2012 tournament Continue reading
”Wembley was noisily registering its unrest with Capello and England.” The usual thing from England 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:
