Category Archives: Sport

Strategies for surviving the Qatar World Cup in 2022

Posted on October 24, 2019 by odeboyz

To survive the summer heat, Qatar not only air-conditions its soccer stadiums, but also the outdoors — in markets, along sidewalks, even at outdoor malls so people can window shop with a cool breeze. “If you turn off air conditioners, … Continue reading →

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Football Review: The European Qualifiers Autumn 2019 – England vs Kosovo, Czech Republic and Bulgaria (all away fixtures)

Posted on October 21, 2019 by odeboyz

It’s difficult making sense of European qualifying matches so let’s look at England’s opponents. FIFA’s ranking system has England at 4th; Kosovo 120th; Czech Republic 44th and Bulgaria 62nd. Translating this into English football league positions gives us.1 England at … Continue reading →

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Football Review: England 5- Kosovo 3: September 2019

Posted on September 16, 2019 by odeboyz

In the annals of English football this will count as yet another victory in a qualifying match for the European championships. And it is. Unfortunately all it does is feed Scottish style delusions. In the two halves England won one, … Continue reading →

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Film Review: Maradona (director – Asif Kapadia)

Posted on July 15, 2019 by odeboyz

Diego Maradona’s reputation, as a footballer, has survived the decades since retirement. His reputation has also survived revelations about his criminal and sleazy life-style whilst in Naples, which is remarkable testament to his genius. This documentary enhances Maradona’s reputation notwithstanding … Continue reading →

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Players of the Year Award: diversity triumphs (2015-18)

Posted on March 28, 2019 by odeboyz

   

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Book Review: Chris Gayle with Tom Fordyce ~ Six Machine: I don’t like cricket…I love it

Posted on February 11, 2019 by odeboyz

Gayle’s book is the antidote to the constipated, self-aware, PR fuelled, seriously ghosted British autobiographic sports books I’m used to. It’s vibrant, insightful and magnificent. Chris is a superstar and loves it. As the best batsman in the world he … Continue reading →

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Football Review: Dagenham and Redbridge vs. Chesterfield Saturday 15th September 2018

Posted on September 17, 2018 by odeboyz

Dagenham (‘Redbridge’ is silent amongst hard core fans) have had a torrid 2018. The principal sponsor and benefactor withdrew support and with very poor crowds (a home crowd of about 1000 + away support) and mounting debts it looked like … Continue reading →

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Why football is better than discus throwing

Posted on July 27, 2018 by odeboyz

“….you spin around with a special disc trying not to fall over. You chuck it as far as you can. The winner is whoever chucked it furthest. ‘And then what?’ ‘No, that really is it.’” O’Farrell, John. There’s Only Two … Continue reading →

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Book Review: John O’Farrell ~ There’s only two David Beckhams

Posted on July 17, 2018 by odeboyz

A wonderful satire on football is exactly what’s needed in a post-World Cup period and this is that book. O’Farrell has made the wildly improbable plausible- including a Raheem Sterling goal. The book begins with Tony Blair elected as a … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Geraint Thomas – The world of cycling according to G

Posted on July 10, 2018 by odeboyz

Geraint has written an insightful book about pro-cycling. There are relatively short flashbacks to his early life in Wales but they’re the garnish to the main dish. He’s been in the forefront of elite cycling from its inception under the … Continue reading →

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