Music to Waste Your Youth By: 1980s Edition

Here is a playlist of some of my favourite songs from the 1980s.  I have more for other decades but I’ll start with the 80s because it was the decade I was born.

Wen most people think of the 1980s they think Duran Duran, The Human League, Spandau Ballet and Frankie Goes to Hollywood and yes, they are all represented.

I could probably fill a playlist with the Human League and Duran Duran but there is so much more to the 19080s than big hair and shoulder pads.  Most of all it is about time there was something other than a World Cup post on here, it’s been too long.

You can find out by clicking on this here LINK.  Of course you need Spotify to listen to it.

Enjoy it bitches.

World Cup 2010 Reviews: Group E & F

Before I get started I must apologise for the lack of reviews from myself recently, I wont lie I’ve just been dead lazy.

B0llocks over with. Here we go

Paraguay 0 – 0 New Zealand

It was a pretty damn awful match, so not much to say on that front apart from the Kiwi keeper having a bloody good game, and Roque Santa Cruz having a bloody awful game. He barely moved above a jog and provided little threat up front for the South Americans.

Paraguay move into the last 16 looking like a half decent team, but not fully decent. They don’t look too shabby going forward (Cruz besides) and have some very nifty players capable of producing some moments of brilliance (Cardoza especially) but I think they might be a bit lightweight, and could well struggle against Japan, more about them later. The New Zealand squad can make the long trip back home with heads held high, not losing a single game in the group stages would’ve have got great odds before the tournament so although they failed to make the knockout stages, for me so far, they are most definitely the competitions Surprise Package.

Slovakia 3 – 2 Italy

This has been hailed as the best game of the World Cup so far and I tend to agree. With 4 goals coming in the last 20 minutes, and all bets were off as was to who could/would go through.

Slovakia scored first reasonably early after 25 minutes through the impressive Vittek after a blunder pass in defence from the Azzurri (bearing in mind this is Italy, World Champions that only conceded 2 goals in the whole tournament last time around). Italy were visibly shaken and failed to apply any pressure going forward. Even so, when without possession Slovakia remained solid and organised. As a result Slovakia went into the break looking very comfortable; Italy went into the break looking clueless.

Lippi had his hand forced and replaced the ineffective Gattuso at the break with the attack minded Quagliarella. Yet still the Italians showed little creativity going forward and then the moment came which caused me to stand bolt up right with my hand reaching for the air-conditioning vents in the office ceiling, Vittek scored again in the 73^rd minute. Unbelievable, the once defensively mighty Italians had been breached twice by an underrated Slovakian side and were now surely heading home for a post mortem of monumental proportions. And with the score line as it was in the other group match, Italy would not only fail to qualify for the last 16, they would finish flat last in the group behind New Zealand.

There was more to come however, a glimmer of hope even for the Azzurri, Di Natale scored in the 81^st and there was light at the end of the tunnel. Italy required a draw to ensure they stumbled through to the next round, not exactly outside the realms of possibility. They even had the ball in the net though half-time substitute Quagliarella, but the dreaded red and yellow chequered flag was raised and a million Italian dreams were dashed. Hearts followed dreams moments later as once again the Italians were caught happing by the Slovakians and thanks to a mighty cool finish from Kopunek with only a minute to go. Consolation was found in the dying seconds but the once mighty Italian Giants had aged a little too much and paid the price as they slumped to one of the worst performances at a World Cup.

Denmark 1 – 3 Japan

So let’s talk Jubulani’s, no seriously. I’m getting pretty irked with all the talk of the World Cup ball and as if by magic, my pooh-poohing of the nonsense around the ball was proved correct! Thank you Mr Honda and Mr Endo.

The team from the Land of the Rising Sun took a fair while to wake up, with the Danes not looking exactly spritely themselves. For a team that came off the back of a defeat against Holland (where they looked pretty average), when Japan got playing they played like a team that had previously beaten world champs. Their distribution of the ball was at times masterful. This was no doubt helped by the sky high confidence.

The Blue Samurais’ had to good chances quite early and this only seemed to stoke the side further. The Japanese must have been using a different football to other teams as they seemed able to master long passes and more dramatically free kicks. Denmark conceded a free kick out on the right hand side perhaps 35 yds out, Honda lined up directly behind the ball on a path to goal and eyed up a shot on goal. It looked a highly unlikely angle to attempt from. Honda somehow managed to get the ball straight up and down (with a little wobble) and past Sorenson (who should’ve done better). Unfortunately words don’t do this shot justice; I suggest you look for it on YouTube. Well worth a watch. Fifteen minutes later, Denmark conceded another free kick in a dangerous area, more central this time about 25-30 yds out. Endo and Honda stood over the ball; One felt it would surely be Honda after his previous attempt. Wrong. Endo stepped and placed the ball perfectly against the right hand post giving Sorenson absolutely no chance, he bent the ball around wall and then got the ball to carry on moving just inside the upright. Majestic. At half time Japan looked like world beaters.

On the other side of the break Japan still moved the around marvellously and countered at any given opportunity, but without any further threat at goal (excuse a flap from Sorensen). Long and short, not much happened until a coming together between Dan Agger and the Japanese captain Hasebe in the Blue Samurai box. What occurred next was a rather splendid penalty from Jon Dahl Tomasson, first he moosed the ball the keepers leg, followed up, nearly wholly missed the ball scuffed it totally with what looked more like a pitching wedge than a boot, somehow kept it inside the post then the best bit, pulled a muscle whilst doing this and had to limp back to the halfway line. Once again, watch it on YouTube. Classic. Japan took little time to restore their two goal lead with one of the moments of brilliance that I mention earlier. Honda picked the ball up outside the box, moseyed  his way past two defenders and slid the ball square to Okazaki (rather unselfishly). Japan run out 3-1 winners and book them a date with Paraguay in the next round. Should be a good game.

Netherlands 2 Cameroon 1

Dutch completed the group stage as winners and undefeated with a win against the winless Cameroon.  Klaas Jan Huntelaar won it after 83 minutes to cancel out a Samuel Eto’o penalty that had equalised the first-half strike from Richard Bacon lookalike Robin Van Persie.  I can’t say much more because I too was watching Japan v Denmark.  The Dutch are through and will play Slovakia whilst Cameroon go home and must do better next time.

Matt

World Cup 2010 Review: Days 9 to ???

Right where were we…

Germany were slipping and England were rubbish and going home.  A lot has happened since Day 8 and due to a sad mixture of business, not arsedness and being distracted by ridiculously long tennis matches not much has happened in the way of reviewing. There’s a lot to cover so I’ll be brief and cover it Group by Group with a couple of pictures of Everton players too.

Group A kick started the bonanza of upsets and fun.  Uruguay and Mexico only needed a point each to progress in the final games whilst France and the hosts South Africa both had a chance of going through should they win and win in a way to leap ahead of Mexico or Uruguay.  I was at work keeping tabs on things when to my amazement South Africa took a 2-0 lead against the French, needless I rushed out and headed home to catch the second half.  Uruguay also added to the excitement by taking lead against Mexico meaning with a few more goals in the right direction the hosts could qualify for round two.

The fact that South Africa were leading against the French would have been a surprise before the tournament but Raymond Domenech’s team have disintegrated due to squabbling with one another and the board and the staff.  Anelka got sent home and Theirry Henry was rumoured to be in charge for their last game with the coach standing on the sidelines looking as uninterested as ever.

Sadly for South Africa they couldn’t see off the French despite having the chances, France pulled one back and Uruguay couldn’t add to their lead.  It was great to see South Africa do well in their final game, the fans deserved it, France going out is always amusing and fairly the best two teams went through to the second.  Oh and Domenech then refused to shake the hand of Carlos Alberto Parreira, but won’t why.

Group B wasn’t quite so shocking but again a great finale was set up with all teams still able to qualify and go out.  As it was, despite being frustrated for long periods with Sokratis Pasthapopopoulpoulspoulis man marking Lionel Messi out of the game, the Argentines eventually got themselves a 2-0 win and progressed.  The main thing to note about this game is that that Greeks are woefully dull and Maradona is as big a star now as he was when he played, even though he’s turned into Deadwood’s Al Swearengen.

Meanwhile Nigeria and South Korea fought it out for what would be second place in the group, Nigeria could have done it if Yakubu was able to score from 2 yards.  The game ended in a 2-2 draw with South Korea progressing, rightfully, into the second round.  If it weren’t for highlights I wouldn’t have seen any of the goals from the final games due to poorly timed flicking between each game.

Group C, England’s group.  Once again I had an early departure from work to watch England progress into the second round.  I’d predicted England to finish second and the USA to win the group and that’s how it worked out, albeit thanks to a late late show from Landon Donovan.  His injury time goal sent them from 3rd to 1st, leap-frogging England and the eliminated Slovenian team.

I saw the England game in the social club I used to work at, it was possibly the most pleasant football watching experience I’ve had in years.  A big telly you could see, cheap booze (£4 for two pints) and the comfort of a proper chair.  Need to sort out my membership for that place in case England make it further.

The game itself was a tense affair with England playing far better than in their first two group games and despite showing early signs of danger and endeavour Slovenia looked average.  That assessment worries me when you start hearing the usual pricks on 606 with their “England are back, we’re gunna do it, all da way”.  Really?  We beat an an average team who played below their best, it’s nothing to write home about.  Obviously coming second meant it was possible England could face Germany.  The goal was good with a fantastic cross from Milner and Defoe leaping ahead of the defender to shin it home past the otherwise excellent Slovenian keeper Sami Hamasandawic.  Milner was back in after his poor 30 minutes against the USA and Defoe had been drafted in to replace Emile Heskey, if we hadn’t won these decisions would probably have been lambasted, as it was Fabio Capello is a genius.

Of course with England finishing second in Group C everyone in the world new what would happen in Group D. Ok there have been upsets but it is some kind of twisted fate that we’d end up facing the Germans to stir up all the embarrassing talk about World Wars and 1966.  Despite that it was a group where all teams could still qualify, the Germans struggled against Ghana but did eventually get a 1-0 thanks to Ozil.  They didn’t play well which prompts everyone to say BAH we’ll beat them easy in the second round.  I love the changing attitudes based on one bad game.

Australia almost pulled off a glorious triumph over Serbia, well they did win, but that win wasn’t even to go through and sadly it was goal difference that sent them out with their 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Germans proving to be their downfall.

There will be actual reviews of the next games which will go up later so enjoy this thing I tagged on at the end about Germany v England.

Marina Hyde wrote a great piece in Friday’s Guardian about England’s rivalry with Germany I suggest you give it a read.

World Cup 2010 Review: Day 8

Once more fate took a crap on me from a great height this Friday, the two best games of the day both took place whilst I was at work.  The evening game was laughably bad, more on that later.

Germany 0 Serbia 1

I did happen to catch two of the main incidents from this match whilst attempting to avoid a rain shower.  I stepped into the house just as Miroslav Klose was dismissed for a second yellow-card.  I saw both of the fouls he was booked for at half-time and the ref was having a joke, added to Klose’s two yellows there were many more in the match.

Serbia did capitalise almost immediately a high ball from the right right-wing was met by the giant Nikola Zigic.  He nodded the ball into the path of Milan Jovanovic, who despite pressure from the goalie smashed the ball home from all of three-yards.  1-0.

The Germans hadn’t looked their authoritative selves from when they thrashed Australia earlier in the week.  Lukas Podolski did have a great chance to equalise in the second-half but missed a penalty.  Again this result throws yet another group wide-open, which frankly is what everyone wants going into the final round of group games next week.

Slovenia 2 United States of America 2

I missed this game but followed it with some glee on my phone at work.  It was Slovenia’s chance to book themselves a place in the second round with a game to spare, now they face the (possibly) difficult challenge of getting at least a draw against England in order to advance.

Slovenia couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, 2-0 up by half-time and looking a safe bet for the next round.  Valter Birsa struck a fantastic curling shot from 25-yards to give Slovenia the lead after only 13 minutes.  Another good move just before half-time saw the Slovenian striker Zlatan Ljubijanki coolly slot home beyond Tim Howard.  At half-time Slovenia looked set to be in the second round.  However the USA showed the same battling spirit which saw them earn a draw against England and completely turned the game on it’s head in the final 45 minutes.

USA hit back immediately with the Landon Donovan breaking in the right-hand side of the box casually running up to a tight-angle at the near post and from about 4 yards out just twatted it at Samir Handanovic who looked like he’d been attacked by a crow cowering behind his hands and the post.  After that good start to the half the US left it late but in the 82 minuted Michael Bradley burst into the box and smashed home a known down from Altidore who got up high to connect with Donovan’s long ball to give the Americans a deserved equaliser.

In truth the USA deserved to win it.  With Donovan again the provider he whipped in a free-kick to the six-yard box which was duly rifled home by Maurice Edu after 85 minutes.  Bizarrely the referee disallowed the goal and the game ended 2-2.

England 0 Algeria 0

After the Slovenia and USA draw this game was set for an England victory for them to top the group.  However rather than finding the right mix to beat the North African team England instead found out how to drown out the vuvuzela; by playing like France and being booed off at full-time.  If the USA game was bad then this was abysmal.  It really did have similarities to the France v Mexico game with the underdogs looking at times the most dangerous and inventive with good performances from Ryad Boudebouz and Karim Matmour who both caused problems.  Luckily for England the Algerians aren’t as good or ruthless as the Mexicans and unlike the French, England still have their fate in their own hands.

Anyway more about the English.  Rarely have I seen a more lifeless performance from an England team, they lacked guile, energy and seemingly committment.  No one of the pitch really looked that arse.  Fabio was strutting around looking concerned but he really didn’t do much to change things.  SWP came on like he did against the USA and didn’t do much.  Jermaine Defoe got 15 minutes to run around and his best chance was a 25-yard smack over the bar.  The general concesus in the aftermath seemed to be “Where was Joe Cole?” perhaps it’s not comparably the same as the Thierry Henry situation for France, but when you have a player who has the potential to do something a little different GET HIM ON THE PITCH.  Worst of the bunch was the hero, the spearhead of the team; Wayne Rooney.  His first-touch was as atrocious as that of a Catholic priest.  I can hardly talk, but I’m not paid thousands of pounds per week, yet he didn’t look fit, bothered and anything close to an international player.  That morning I was listening to Five Live where Nicky Campbell and some cohorts were laughing at some Scouse bloke who’d called in to say Rooney should be dropped because do much and Crouch scores more goals.  At the time they had no better response to the fella’s arguments than “Rooney is England” – which when looking at this game was most fitting – but I wondner what they’d say now.

When you look at the players in England have in reserve it is difficult to imagine where a change can come, which means a change in formation is more likely with Emile Heskey likely to be the victim with Gerrard being pushed forward to do what he does for Liverpool.  Jamie Carragher got himself a booking as well which means he’ll miss the next game which will mean another centre-back dilemma for Mr Capello, will it be Michael Dawson or Matthew Upson?  Whatever happens against Slovenia on Wednesday surely England can’t play as badly again.  It certainly makes for interesting viewing, another group that will go down to the wire.

World Cup 2010 Review: Day 7

So it turns out that the Football Gods may have not been looking after me gambling wise, but it turns out they quite like me watching Skeetiful football.  Ace.  So without further a do, let’s get started.

So we begin with my Office Sweepstake draw, Argentina.

Argentina 4 South Korea 1

Argentina started off very quickly with some silky passing and mazy runs. I had the pleasure of watching the first half life on my lunch break and it was thoroughly enjoyable compared to the other dullness I’ve sacrificed my lunch for. Messi(ah) was finally looking like the player that he is for Barca, his inventiveness (if that’s a word) on the ball is truly a sight to behold, add to that the dogged determination of Tevez heaped pressure on the South Koreans early on, the result of such pressure was seen after around 16 minutes when one of the best finished of the World Cup so far was seen, from Park Chu-Young into his own net from a Argentinean cross into the box past the motionless keeper. 1-0 Argentina. The flood gates looked certain to open. The Argentine mid-field seemed to link up seamlessly, with Di Maria and Gutierrez having forever to pick passes to the front 3. All that time and space earned another set piece from which Higuain scored his first of three with a straight-forward header. This wasn’t to be the last goal of the half either. South Korea somehow managed to pull one back in a rather fortuitous manner as a De Michelis was caught dozing and had his pocket well and truly picked and gave a simple chance to Lee Chung-Yung which he took with ease.

Unfortunately this is when I had to leave the live action and return to the air-conditioned prison. HOWEVER I did have the joy of the delicious radio to guide me through the 2^nd half. Also the highlights helped. From what I heard/saw it seems as though Argentina were skeeting on the Koreans from mountainous heights and driving forward at will. And in all honesty I’m still yes to decide which of Higuain goal’s was better. For me his 80^th minute goal was that of pure pace and flair and the goal he scored in the 77^th wasn’t too shabby either. With Messi(ah) finally playing like he does week in week out for Barca, for me Argentina are now the team to beat.

Greece 2 Nigeria 1

Right then, I won’t front you, I didn’t see a single kick of this game, but I thought it wasn’t going to be worth bothering with. How wrong I was. Greece and Nigeria aren’t exactly known as pass and move attacking machines are they? So I tuned in and out of looking at the text updates of the games and was well and truly blown away to see that the Eagles were one up after 16 minutes! I later saw it wasn’t exactly a screamer but a goals a goal. Then something mystifying happened… after challenging for the ball on the touchline and being shielded from the ball Kaita decided enough was enough and stomped on some Grecians’ thigh, I saw it on the highlights, it was a real WTF moment, obviously he had to go and off he went. Then all of a sudden the Greek side found that they could pass and run with ball forward! Like the moment in 2001: A Space Odyssey, where the apes use tools for the first time. A Revelation indeed! From this moment of Greece poured forward at any given opportunity and ran out deserved winners from what I heard. Is there still hope for Greece to progress? Just maybe…

France 0 Mexico 2

I’m sorry to all readers who may read this article for an unbiased review (0_o). You ain’t gonna get one! This is without doubt one of the funniest, burst out laughing and scare the cat with shouting matches EVER! My evening as a Mexican began around 3pm when I was informed that fajitas were for dinner, “hmmmm” I thought, “is this a sign?” As the afternoon progressed and I got more and more desperate to leave I spied what can only be described as yet another omen. A penguin dressed as Santa was equipped with that most iconic Mexican item of clothing A FREAKING SOMBRERO. It had to be mine for the match! And it was!

Now onto the football. At kickoff with fajita in hand (nothing pervy, I promise) I was buzzing with excitement at seeing those cheating French get one hell of a beating. Mexico flew out of the traps creating space and when under pressure from an on paper world class attacking front line of Malouda, Ribery and Anelka. It was definitely a lively start from both teams early on with France lacking the required cool finish or the final incisive pass, as Mexico also seemed to struggle with a seemingly lightweight frontline that possessed plenty of flair but lacked a tad of strength, without doubt France had their moments but so did the Mexicans, with their attacking outlet coming from an unusual source, that of left-back Calcido who galloped forward at any giving opportunity and caused a moment of pure comedy as he broke though one tackle and dashed into the French penalty area to run at goal only for Willy Gallas to get Lead boots and stood deathly still like a rabbit in the headlights, unfortunately Calcido shot wide and the French got away with murder. One got the feeling that half time didn’t come soon enough for the French who were in a state of disarray.

During the break, I would’ve loved to of been in the French dressing room, that according to the media is completely void of spirit and cohesion (a point not exactly well hidden by the French on the pitch). A pin dropping would’ve produced a sound louder than a million Vuvus in that dressing room. The impotent Anelka was replaced by Gignac (who?!), and Thierry Henry continued to watch on from the sidelines underneath his lil warm blanky. Watching the French in the second half was like watching a man that had 18 tequilas and several desperados and then tried to pull the Hottest Latino chica in the club, i.e. freaking hilarious. It was like they had never played a match together, let alone trained together, I’d be surprised if many of them knew each others names! On the other hand Mexico were inspired. There was space everywhere for the Mexicans and after 64 minutes, Eric Abidal had one of the biggest brains farts in recent history and played Hernadez onside from which the (unfortunately) Manchester United bound player produced one of the coolest (sour cream and Salsa) finishes you will see. Mexico 1 France 0. Cue screaming from me fajita juice on the floor and the cat wondering if the apocalypse was upon us. After this France were beyond a joke, but I was most definitely still laughing. That guy in the club who had 18 tequilas and several desperados, had now pissed himself and was crying in the middle of the dancefloor with mexicas in ponchos making out with Chicas everywhere dancing around him firing guns into the air… Marvellous.

And yet there was more humiliation for the French as they conceded a penalty and the veteran Blanco blazed in after the longest penalty run up ever! It was too much for me!

Charles De Gaul, Jean-Paul Gaultier,  Inspector Clouseau, Briggete Bardot, Raymond Blanc, Asterix and Obelix can ya hear me? Asterix and Obelix, YOUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING

Much love

World Cup 2010 Review: Day 6

Work has kept me occupied the past couple of days as had the prospect of a new job but the World Cup seemed to finally come alive as the hosts and the favourites both took one hell of a beating.

Honduras 0 Chile 1

I didn’t see this game but I have seen the goal scored by some Chilean cat called Beausejour.  It was a neat little move down the right wing that saw the ball whipped into the near post where Beausejour lay in wait to flick it past Valladares in the Honduran goal.  I’m reliably informed that Chile outplayed Honduras and could have scored more with their classy passing football.  After that result Chile top their group albeit on goal difference.  Stay Classy Santiago!

Switzerland 1 Spain 0

Ok nobody saw this coming, even in the craziest of scenarios I could only conceive a draw being the best the Swiss could get.  So I sat at work following the live updates on the BBC site and then up all of a sudden in the second-half, which I was hoping to get home to watch, I was gobsmacked.  ”52 min Switzerland goal. 1-0″  Then even more surprised to learn it was Gelson Fernandes who scored it, bundling the ball over the line after a messy bit of Spanish defending.  Verily  I packed up my up crap cluttering my desk and made for the car park.  I saw the last half hour, which was apparently much like the rest of the game with Spain knocking on the door like the Big Bad Wolf and the Swiss piggies saying “no, no, no”.  I am certain the fact that Phil Senderos had gone off injured contributed to the fact that Switzerland were able to hold firm.   Xabi La twatted a fierce shot against the cross bar and Jesus Navas skinned Reto Ziegler a few times.  The Swiss almost added to their lead but Derdiyok couldn’t finish things.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

All in all in felt like the tournament came alive with the Switzerland victory after a series of drab games and the evening match featuring the hosts went a little further to convince things were kicking into life.  Sadly the South Africans didn’t live up to the hope of the home fans and were duly smashed off the park by an excellent Uruguay team led by the superb Man U reject Diego Forlan.  He seemed to score a stunner but it was helped over the keeper with a deflection off Aaron Mokoena’s face.  The South African keepers night got worse with a clumsy challenge, bringing down Suarez – penalty and red card.  Forlan converted from the spot with a perfect powerful penalty.

The hosts lack the nous of some of the better teams and their best player, Pienaar, didn’t get into the game.  It will be a shame to see them knocked out but it has always been difficult to see that they’d be good enough to compete with the other teams in the group.  Still it’ll be interesting to see how France get on against Mexico, if they improve it won’t be a good sign for South Africa.  Uruguay look a safe bet for the second round and maybe even to the quarters if they get a favourable draw.