After a European Championship held in front of sparse attendances due to COVID restrictions in 2021, and a World Cup 18 months later held in tandem with the hanging of Christmas decorations, the football calendar is finally back in sync as UEFA’s showpiece event descends on Germany over the next month. The nation staged aContinue reading “Euro 2024 preview: Glory up for grabs in Germany with several genuine contenders”
Tag Archives: England
World Cup 2022 review: Messi and Argentina have their moment at last after a final for the ages
None of the 21 previous World Cups had as prolonged or as contentious a build-up as the 2022 finals in Qatar, with allegations of corruption, the fatalities of thousands of migrant workers in stadium construction and the controversial mid-season timing all serving to make this a potentially very troubled tournament. The off-field issues didn’t subsideContinue reading “World Cup 2022 review: Messi and Argentina have their moment at last after a final for the ages”
World Cup 2022 preview: Here’s hoping the football can outshine the dark shadows over Qatar
It has been almost 12 years since that earth-shattering December day when then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter took us all by surprise and announced that the 22nd World Cup (coincidentally taking place in a year ending with 22) would be held in Qatar, a country whose land mass is smaller than Cork and Kerry combined. EverContinue reading “World Cup 2022 preview: Here’s hoping the football can outshine the dark shadows over Qatar”
How could an Ireland-hosted Euro 2028 look?
Earlier this week, the Republic of Ireland – along with Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – submitted a formal interest in co-hosting the 2028 European Championship, with a decision potentially set to be made by UEFA within the next fortnight. There have been reports of Russia also declaring an interest in hosting the tournament,Continue reading “How could an Ireland-hosted Euro 2028 look?”
Euro 2020 review: A magnificent tournament with a worrying start and a regrettable finish
We were made to wait a full year for it, but UEFA Euro 2020 more than delivered when it eventually came around. The pan-European format was both praised and criticised, with some liking how numerous countries had the opportunity to create a fervent atmosphere when playing host to matches and others justifiably citing the imbalanceContinue reading “Euro 2020 review: A magnificent tournament with a worrying start and a regrettable finish”
Man, Ball and All 