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
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
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:
