Polish riot police stand guard after the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia at the National stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012. (KAI PFAFFENBACH/REUTERS)
Back in Warsaw where a riot of sorts preceded a great game. What I saw…
Posts from ‘June, 2012’
Euro 2012: Let the political games begin
Ukraine's fans wear national colors as they cheer before their Group D Euro 2012 soccer match against Sweden at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, June 11, 2012. (ALEXANDER DEMIANCHUK/REUTERS)
The sour, disturbing politics of Ukraine’s victory at Euro 2012 & the country’s mission in co-hosting this surreal tournament. As eye-witnessed in Kiev…by the author… Continue reading
Off-field problems distort beautiful game’s benign power
Czech Republic's Theodor Gebre Selassie stretches during a training session at the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Wroclaw, Poland. (Petr David Josek/The Associated Press)
Hello from Warsaw Chopin Airport, en route to Kiev… Today, Euro 2012 problems distort soccer’s benign & beautiful power on racism and for change…
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Il Trap: Oldest manager at Euro 2012 is the most loved, feared
Ireland's head coach Giovanni Trapattoni gestures during their international friendly soccer match against Hungary in Budapest's Puskas stadium June 4, 2012. (LASZLO BALOGH/REUTERS)
Hello from Poznan, pre Ireland vs Croatia… Il Trap, oldest manager at Euro 2012 is the most loved, feared. Leading Ireland now… Continue reading
Euro 2012 opener
Poland's goalkeeper Szczesny receives a red card by referee Carballo of Spain during their Group A Euro 2012 soccer match against Greece at the National stadium in Warsaw (LEONHARD FOEGER/Reuters)
From Warsaw on the Euro 2012 opener – Pol 1 Gre 1. Good game but – The Wrong Man (the Ref) Hogged the Spotlight. Newbie ref has shocker, I sez… Continue reading
First report from Warsaw
A woman paints the pattern of a soccer ball on her face at the Euro 2012 fan zone in Kharkiv, some 480 km (300 miles) east of Kiev. (VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS)
First report from the author in Warsaw on Opening day of Euro 2012 – What The Euro (the soccer tournament) REALLY means. Nationalism, nuttiness…it all matters more than the game… Continue reading
Euro 2012 Guide & provocative punditry
A giant Euro 2012 soccer championships banner is spread on Warsaw's landmark, the Palace of Culture, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 as preparation for the upcoming Euro 2012 soccer Championships in Poland and Ukraine. (Associated Press)
Tomorrow the author is in Warsaw to begin covering Euro 2012. Today – Your Euro 2012 Guide & provocative punditry (by me). All bets are off on who will dominate & win. So there… Continue reading
Euro Countdown
France coach Laurent Blanc gestures as he speaks during a press conference on November 10, 2010 in Paris (Photo FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)Bobby McMahon’s expert analysis of Group D. England, France, Ukraine, Sweden. On England – “Expectations are about as low as a hobbit’s bottom…" from Forbes mag online…
Bobby McMahon’s expert analysis of Group D. England, France, Ukraine, Sweden. On England – “Expectations are about as low as a hobbit’s bottom…” from Forbes mag online… Continue reading
Football Factory poster
This poster is going up on the wall in the famous Football Factory in Toronto, a venue immortalized in the updated edition of The World is a Ball… Continue reading
Another World is a Ball review
FYI. Book reminder time…A recent customer review of The World is a Ball on Amazon -“One of the best soccer books I have ever read. Very entertaining and keeps you glued to the pages with interesting stories of soccer craziness. I would highly recommend.”… Continue reading
The Green Army on the march to Poland for Euro 2012
Former Ireland stars John Aldridge and Ray Houghton fuel up fans Ed Hyland, left, and Liam Leonard
Dozens of camper vans, converted buses and even a caravan welded to a Ford Transit stopped traffic yesterday, ahead of their 2,000km drive to Poznan for Ireland’s opening game against Croatia…… Continue reading
Marco Tardelli dismisses Italy’s offer to make sensational withdrawal from Euro 2012 over scandal
Marco Tardelli
Italy’s sensational offer to withdraw from Euro 2012 ‘cos of probe into corruption in Italy, is a non-starter says Marco Tardelli. And he would know…
