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.

Monday, 16 June 2014

Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan

2am kick off? You expect me to stay awake for that?

I was safely in the land of nod when this one kicked off. I'm only human and my corner sofa is dead comfy. This is the first game I've missed. Blame the schedulers. Well done the Africans, my tip to progress from the Group.