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.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

World Cup Semi-Final: Brazil 1-7 Germany

I have resisted spelling out the German number of goals. Let's not rub it in. This was the biggest shock result in World Cup history. Brazil were appalling, not one of their starters deserving of a rating of over 3 out of 10. Germany were stunning, every attack looking likely to yield a goal. And in the first half that's pretty much what happened. Sickening for the host nation who love this game perhaps more than any other. But they were blown away by Germany in an unfamiliar red and black kit that we may see again after this rout. As for Brazil, there will be a few players who won't return to the international stage after this humiliation. But this football mad nation will be back. No question.