Brazil, you say? They know how to play football over there, don't they? But it's a long way for one so middle aged as I to travel.

So instead, I shall slouch into my leather armchair and view the tournament from this side of the Atlantic. I shall try and watch every game and will definitely make wildly inaccurate predictions too.

I do solemnly vow to give you a real sense of what it's like to not be at the World Cup. This is the blog where all the colour and atmosphere and passion of watching the world's greatest sporting tournament on a wall mounted widescreen really comes to life.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Round of 16: Belgium 2-1 USA (After Extra Time)

The game of the tournament so far, probably of the tournament full stop. The USA deserve so much credit for keeping going until the end. Bradley imperious. Howard like a wall of steel, the ball a magnet to him. Making the most saves in World Cup history. None shall pass. Even when the Belgians got a couple past him in extra time the States refused to lay down or roll over. They pulled one back and came so so close to levelling and taking it to penalties but it was not to be. Belgium go through but the USA's contribution to this classic will live long in the memory.