By Rob McDonald ARGENTINA What We Know: Well, Argentina are one of those teams that are just always expected to be dead good. They have the players, after all. All of them. Whatever happens, expect a whole lot of Messi narrative. The team is settled and, so far, there...
By Samantha Mikhailovna. READER, There are those who say I may be asking too much of you here. They would suggest that what follows requires a very niche experience of world literature (link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36238/36238-h/36238-h.htm#Page_67) and Panini...
By Rob McDonald FRANCE What We Know: Riberyless but not arguing, the French are another team that seems to be coming into the tournament without much expectation on them. It is understandable given how they have to over-turn a 2 goal deficit to defeat the Ukraine in...
By Rob McDonald URUGUAY What We Know: The best bastards about and marshalled by one of the best coaches going in Oscar Tabarez, we know Uruguay well after their strong performances in recent competitions. With, arguably, the most potent attacking threat in the...
By Magic Spongers FOR US AND PROBABLY YOU, mentioning South Korea and the World Cup immediately invokes 2002, Guus Hiddink, Ahn Jung-Hwan and suspiciously atrocious refereeing. Unfortunately for us, and probably you, 2002 is now 12 years ago and none of that is...
By Ben Johnson JAPAN. Close your eyes, sit back and empty your mind of the nonsense that is currently floating round in it. Ask yourself a question, this question (you might have to open your eyes for a minute to find out what the question is, soz), what is the first...
NEIL ATKINSON, John Gibbons and Stephanie Heneghan have a special guest over the phone – Adam Melia. They also talk about Steph’s cleaning, Sam Beckett and John Simm. Who is your favourite Riderer…’ Direct link to The Rider – Quantum Leap...
THE thing about memories is that they are always there for you, writes NEIL SCOTT. They sit patiently somewhere round the back of your cerebral cortex until summoned into action on a moment’s whim, to provide a rose-tinted window to a time long gone. Like many...
WORLD Cup Widows – a phrase that’s become all too familiar….unfortunately, writes KATE FORRESTER. Its origins are pretty basic. Picture the scene: In the testosterone-fuelled corner, we have an England-shirt-wearing, face-painted, glazed-looking fella...
By Rob McDonald COLOMBIA What We Know: While the loss of Radamel Falcao is hardly ideal, it’s not necessarily a hammer blow Colombia’s chances for a strong showing. In a competitive but not overwhelming group and with a strong squad, Colombia are one of the teams that...
