John Doyle | The World is a Ball

This is the sort of ingrained, groan-inducing male attitude the Women’s game faces. Earnest snark from this guy here who says people are essentially lying about the quality of women’s soccer…… Continue reading

Thanks Heavens for the USA – Yes, you CAN buy The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer as an ITunes book

Jorge Hugo Giraldo Lopez of Colombia runs during a gymnastics training session at the O2 Arena before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London July 25, 2012.(BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)

Brace yourself & be skeptical as the mind-boggling manipulative Olympic TV coverage starts. 5 Things to Remember… (#1, Snark is ok…)… Continue reading

Angry English footy fan(simon askham/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“Dear Meathead” – what people write to Sports writers, Arts writers & others foolish enough to report & analyze in the newspaper, (includes memories of World Cup 2006 in Germany..)… Continue reading

Nine year-old “Irish Messi” signs for Barcelona…

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Cometh the hour, cometh the Big Man. Toronna FC in talks to bring in giant Swedish defender Olof Mellberg, it says… Continue reading

Toronto FC ‘s Julian de Guzman (left) battles for the ball with DC United’s Dwayne DeRosario during first half MLS action in Toronto on Saturday May 5, 2012. (The Canadian Press)

“…the darkness that has engulfed Toronto FC since Day 1 may just be a passing cloud and not the eternal night that many predicted it to be.’ Julian de Guzman out. Who is the DP coming in..?

Please, God, make it a capable defender

From 9/11 knucklehead remarks to Not Guilty of Racial Abuse – Ten-plus years of John Terry weirdness, in pictures. A sterling reminder…

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John Doyle captures some World Cup magic including Zidanes infamous headbuttMike Hewitt/Getty Images

Oh Lookee here – Yes, My book, The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer, is # 4 on Bleacher Report’s Top Soccer Books to Read This Summer… Continue reading

Is informed he’s on the Fox Soccer Report, talking The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer. A book you really must read… Continue reading

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…

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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