themaninblack

Theres one in the Independent today Time to fire up the Tiny URL then...

If anything, the Euros are arguably the better tournaments now for footballing reasons. Euro 2000 was Mexico '70 for those born after 1970. Spain may have the "greatest team ever" nowadays but boy were they entertaining when they were the also-rans. That Spain-Yugoslavia match was one of those matches where tactics, commonsense and all that just went completely out of the window and the match just got better and better and better. Italia '90 is a strange tournament. There was a massive mobilisation of revision regarding its reputation during the last World Cup to point where it's considered something of a lost classic, like a past misunderstood film which is now finding critical favour. I don't entirely subscribe to that opinion. It certainly had it's dramatic moments. If I may get a bit ponsy about it, it could be said that Italia '90 was culturally a memorable tournament and a hugely influential one. Interesting to note that by the time of USA '94, both the FA Premier League and UEFA Champions League were established. The football itself was at times dire, negative and unambitious. But it was 'World in Motion', it was Gazza's tears, it was those flashy Italian graphics, Roger Milla and Big Jack and all that. It was more iconic, more powerful than some World Cups that had easily the better football (stand up France '98). To give some perspective as to the real issue surrounding the comparison of the last World Cup and its last considered nadir: South Africa 2010 was Italia '90, but in which England were shit...

Well, it wasn't a great final, it was probably the dullest World Cup final ever in what was a good tournament IMHO (don't get suckered in by the revisionist view of it being otherwise, that's just football hipsters circumventing England's absence, which as Euro's 84 & 08 show, merely enhances a tournament's credentials!). Viola came on in extra-time as I recall and was briefly dazzling. OK, nothing special compared to 1982 Brazil (shame you were too young for that, bwoy!), but in the context of the final itself, it was as if Brazil has thrown on the offspring of Garrincha.

She should have tried to jump it, like Ron Obvious...

Did he ever? He was doing just about the only decent bit of play in that final...

For doing that Sky advert, Pacino should turn it in...

Probably because you don't have teenage daughters or enjoy masturbating to lesbian cheerleaders. Surely everyone enjoys masturbating to lesbian cheerleaders. Actually, I'd never heard of him either and I wonder how many people listening to Radio 4 at 10 o'clock this morning had, though they still felt it necessary to mention his death. The only flicker of interest was that I thought he might be related to Kelly Montieth. He wasn't...

That's quite an impressive tribute to someone who until a few hours ago I have never heard of...

It wont be Oliver...

Well, my sister's birthday is on Wednesday (17th) so it would be interesting if it was then. I think it will be a girl too but considering the longevity of the Queen, the likelihood of similar with Charles and William, it's almost certain that by the time this baby becomes the monarch I will be dead so I'm struggling to give a toss about this...

Al Fayed sells Fulham...

You'll have to wait a little longer for the points as I'm just about to upload the latest update...

Still, first half-decent summer weather we've had in 7 years, so trust the Daily Express to predict hotocalypse!

I sense a theme, so another ancient actress apropos of nothing. Olivia De Havilland...

Country music executive Jim Foglesong has died aged 90. A hit for Grand Ole Opry XX when the requisite UK obit shows up...

For Joe Public, a platinum-plated "thought they died years ago" celeb...

Anna Wing, well who'd have thunk it!

Let battle commence...

So I take it the Doreen Keogh who died in February last year is a different one? Interesting. It is the same one it seems. However, when OoO sent me the list of celebs with the details back in February, there was obviously no indication then that she had died (and for a year!) and since she was an actress of some note (Corrie, Royle Family) it would have surely have not gone unnoticed... Update: According to this Coronation Street blog dated from last July, Doreen lives in County Wicklow...

Fucking crackers though...

Nick Cohen rubbishing theories about Dr David Kelly's mysterious death in the Observer. Typical of him I suppose...

Congrats to Marion Bartoli. Vive la différence!

Only a matter of time. Nelson...

Shout I meant. Very Freudian. Not that I was desperate to do well this year or anything...