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.

Friday, 27 June 2014

They Finished 17th: RUSSIA

Highly paid coach. Champions League pedigree. But there's question marks over Capello's World Cup abilities. Look at England in 2010. Now Russia in 2014. Something's not clicking when it comes to tournaments.

The Russians would have wanted to put on a good show before everyone heads over to their place for the next one. Going out in the Group Stage doesn't add up to a good show.

Let's hope there's no encore come 2018. Quarter-finalists at the very worst then, you mark my words.