Here in the UK of course there is no escaping the World Cup. And BF watches all the games he can, so I end up watching some too. As much as I try avoiding it, I'm getting almost into football. Watched a bit of the Ghana - Check Republic game, which the Checks were meant to win easily. Ghana won of course, and what made it almost fun to watch was that the Ghana players seemed to really have fun. Big smiles all around.

Later last night we went to the pub where Italian (and French and Spanish) friends were watching Italy play USA. That was a game turned ugly! Three players sent off and frequently players stretchered off.

And in England's group, me and BF are of course cheering for Trinidad and Tobago. Go Soca Warriors! They are another team the really seem to play for the game, not for fame and sponsorship deals. And to them a draw against Sweden was celebrated as a win.

And on the topic of Rugby, BF tells me the reason it seems more civilised off the pitch is that is more of a middle class sport. The teams tend to be made up of people with higher degrees (doctors, professors, lawyers etc), rather than the working class football (soccer). It may be more violent on the pitch than football (in general), but they don't let it spill over off the pitch.