John Doyle | The World is a Ball

Torsten Frings scores

John Doyle — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:24:15 +0000

Torsten Frings to Toronna FC (also some Dutch bloke). I was there in the stadium in Munich to see Frings score this beauty...

Highlights from Book Club Reviews

John Doyle — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:15:46 +0000

With FIFA Women's World Cup under way, the Book Club Reviews site highlights The World is a Ball...

Soccer Weekend

John Doyle — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:42:39 +0000

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.

Canada 2, England 2

John Doyle — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:15:06 +0000

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...

El Nino Maravilla

John Doyle — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:09:34 +0000

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

The Vancouver Riots

John Doyle — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:53:12 +0000

Vancouver Canucks’ Fans Riot Following Stanley Cup Finals Loss I’ve covered World Cups, Euro’s, many other soccer games in 14 countries on 4 continents. Big games, vast crowds of the happy, the bitter fans. Worst I ever saw was a guy throw cup of beer at someone & get hustled away by cops. The next [...]

A sizzling soccer summer

John Doyle — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:40:44 +0000

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… [...]

Well done the lads!

John Doyle — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:55:24 +0000

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.

Who’s sorry now?

John Doyle — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:56:41 +0000

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.

A bit hopeless, a bit lucky…

John Doyle — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:40:13 +0000

‎”Wembley was noisily registering its unrest with Capello and England.” The usual thing from England.

1001st Tweet

John Doyle — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:56:44 +0000

For my 1001st Tweet and to mark Saturday’s FA Cup Final I gave away a signed first edition of my book The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer. Took 2 mins on Twitter to get correct answer to “What is Rory Delap’s specialty?” I need a harder question next time…

Maradona, Keane and Me

John Doyle — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:46:03 +0000

Himself, with Maradona and Roy Keane in The Galway Advertiser, in advance of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature

Galway Advertiser interview

John Doyle — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:36:12 +0000

In advance of appearing in Galway for the Cúirt International Festival of Literature to talk up The World is a Ball, talk soccer culture and such, the author gets a write-up in the Galway Advertiser, a fine publication.

Major League Soccer

John Doyle — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:33:35 +0000

It has begun. The Major League Soccer season, with an all-Canadian clash - Vancouver Whitecaps 4, Toronto FC 2. Well done the Vancouver lads. Best moment: Dunfield disappearing into the Vancouver moshpit. A great match. From here on comes pain, heartbreak, glory and ignominy. Herewith, the heartfelt Red Patch Boys Hard Chorus.

Football of soccer?

John Doyle — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:26:00 +0000

The eternal argument: call it "football" or "soccer"? That arises immediately in the Comments on this History Of Soccer video, in which the very, very tired author of The World is a Ball makes an appearance...

Write? I am

John Doyle — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:13:00 +0000

The very nice Keziah Fenton, on her Blog, Write? I am, dwells on The World is a Ball in a post about sportswriting – “I want to immerse myself in the sport after reading three pages.” “If you love soccer, or love someone who does, read this book. It will expand your knowledge and appreciation for "the beautiful game".

Philosophy In Review

John Doyle — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:36:29 +0000

The World is a Ball got nice review in Philosophy In Review, an august publication. "John Doyle is the television critic for.. The Globe and Mail. He writes with wit and detached amusement... He is also a football nut...The World Is A Ball is not a mere compilation of columns, but as the cover blurb rightly

Whither soccer in North America?

John Doyle — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:26:13 +0000

An excellent, lucid explanation in ROB mag, some points same as those made in The World is a Ball, some points known to many, some not…And, Good Luck Vancouver Whitecaps.

Going to Galway

John Doyle — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:12:57 +0000

I will be at Cúirt International Festival of Literature in April to talk soccer and writing with Steve Bloomfield, author of Africa United: How Football Explains Africa.

Favourite Soccer Books

John Doyle — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:37:08 +0000

In Vancouver, joyful anticipation of the Whitecaps first MLS season. And discussion of soccer books, including The World is a Ball. “Well written and very funny!” Thanks, Vancouver Southsiders...