My Four World Cups 1998 2002 2006 2010

This unique new book, a collection of blog pieces, starts with a fast-moving romp through the World Cup in France sixteen years ago. In 1998, Myles Palmer was an English author and journalist who became a blogger as soon as he went online because his friend suggested that they covered the World Cup, which was about to start.A perceptive writer, Myles never sits on the fence. If he loves a player or a team or a coach, he tells you why. Brazil boss Big Phil Scolari is one of his heroes. He also admires the wise and humble Vicente Del Bosque, and became a big fan of Cesar Prandelli, the Italian coach, after meeting him in Pescara. He enjoys France when they agree to train, loves Croatia because of fantastic holidays there, respects the new Germany, and hopes Argentina will be inspired by the mature genius of Lionel Messi. He rates Chile’s first eleven very highly. An Englishman living in London, he supplies insights into the England teams of Hoddle and Eriksson and a scathing assessment of Fabio Capello’s meltdown in South Africa We hear the voices of Myles and his friends, associates and readers on a bumpy journey through France 98 that starts with a question: Where were you when Gazza was dropped from the 22? Further headlines include Opening match: Brazil 2 Scotland 1, England play OK and beat Tunisia 2-0 ,The adidas nightmare, A colourful carnival at Facepaint 98, England 2 Argentina 2 (we lose on penalties), Holland 1 Brazil 2, France 2 Croatia 1,Cafu back to help Nike beat adidas 3-1 and World Cup Final : France 3 Brazil 0.
Part Two: Japan/Korea 2002 continues the story with France 0 Senegal 1,Matt Holland keeps Irish romance alive, FA have not told Sven what his job is all about, USA 3 Portugal 2, Robbie Keane stuns Germans in 92nd minute, Verontina should crush England, which was immediately followed by England 1 Argentina 0 Beckham 44(pen), Korea’s golden goal shuts Trap, Ronaldo only scores from crosses these days, Sven had four marking one for 24 minutes, Without Ballack, Germany will play for penalties and Ronaldo and Collina are key players.
The book really starts to hit its stride in Part Three: Germany 2006 with David Beckham shows his golden balls to Hungary, Thierry Henry never scores from a Zidane pass, Rosicky scores Arsenal’s first two World Cup goals, Argentina annihilate Serbia & Montenegro, Is the World Cup a marketing festival or a football tournament? Skipper Vieira wins 90th cap on his 30th birthday, Big Phil thinks on his feet while Sven sits on his hands, and World Cup Final: Zidane 1 Materazzi 2: skullduggery as Italy win their fourth World Cup
Part Four continues in similar vein with 4 big Capello calls. He got 3 wrong, followed by Toulalan, Messi and Ozil sparkle in World Cup’s first days, Fabregas can re-launch Spain, Shock result: Dutch thugs beat Brazilian blunderers, Germany 0 Spain 1 (Puyol 73), The massive Oranje influence of Johann Cruyff and closes with the drama of Dirty Bastards 0 Spain 1.
If you are a commuter, or have a flight or holiday coming up, My Four World Cups will be a highly entertaining companion.