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.

Saturday, 21 June 2014

France 5-2 Switzerland

Oh to be French! To be drawn in a group such as this. The friendliest of friendly groups, despite the Honduran love of a firm tackle. To face defences so porous and poor. To miss a penalty yet still score a handful. A hatful. A beret-ful. France look like Europe's best, though maybe it is this group that makes them look so good. Maybe when they face some pedigree in the knockouts, we shall see where they truly rank on the world stage.