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.

Sunday 22 June 2014

Belgium 1-0 Russia

Anyone elderly enough to remember World Cup 86 just up the road in Mexico, may recall a 3-2 thriller between these nations (USSR as Russia were known as back then). Ratz. Pfaff. A couple of names engrained in the mind, a game forever remembered as a thriller.

This one lacked all that, the big name Belgians leaving it late to steal the three points and steer their way into the knockouts. Everyone's dark horses move out of the pack, their eyes on the home straight.