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, 6 July 2014

They finished 8th: FRANCE

a successful tournament for les bleus.  Certainly compared to 2010 when it all fell apart.  Deschamps keeps the squad together, and although they are not de champs of de 2014 tournament, there's lots to be confident about. Pogba tipped by some to be a future great. Benzema proving he's got what it takes to excel on the world stage.  Even further for this squad in Russia 2018? Probably. But first there's the small matter of Euro 2016...