So here we are, then

[frangipani]

#WorldCup referees assert: Hand of God belongs only to God.
-- FromaLeftWing, during Serbia v Ghana

I was going to post this after the last of tonight's matches but I have to be up and about early in the morning, so: How's the World Cup treating you (and your team) so far? What say you about the refereeing? Any surprises? Have you got your eye on a particular player?

And on that note, I updated the welcome post to spell out football's spoiler policies. Apologies, I should have done this earlier.

If you follow football writing, have there been pieces worth reading? I don't know about you, but it's been absolutely fascinating following (English-language) media and blogosphere narratives on the World Cup so far: the hand-wringing over the initial rash of draws, the moaning over the "dullness" of group stages matches with the exception of Germany v Australia (clearly they were not watching Korea Republic v Greece), etc etc. I've also been following news of the workers' protest, though updates have slowed down.

Three illuminating and interesting pieces recently read:

World Cup 2010: Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and South Africa - my boys

From Johannesburg, lesbian footballers chosen to play, choosing to live

What if the women's NTs played in place of the men?

Comments

[shiny_crystal]

Hmm, I admit I haven't been thrilled about most of the games so far. I hold initial excitement and a getting-used-to-conditions period responsible.

Germany were spectacular (ok, people might think I say this only because I'm German, but Germans tend to be very pessimistic about our team's performance even if they win). I liked Korea Republic as well, actually! Italy, hm, now there's a 4-year-old old grudge kicking in and they had bad conditions, so I'm reserving judgement on them. Looking forward to Spain (and Portugal and Brazil and ...)

[feuervogel]

I need a new icon for 2010; where'd you get yours?

[shiny_crystal]

That is actually my old icon *coughs* It's by heavyheaded, at any rate :)

[feuervogel]

Heh. My icon doesn't feature anyone currently on the team, though ^^;

I suppose I could do like last time and pick a game photo & crop it...