Funfare for the Common Man

It’s the first rest day of this World Cup, and I’m not sure how I’ll cope. I’m already suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms – well, it’s either that or the potent Long Island Ice Tea I had to soothe my nerves during the USA-Germany match last night. I haven’t quite managed to fulfill my goal of watching every minute of every match, but I have come pretty damn close (though it’s amazing how many goals I miss when I turn my head to do something, or get a cup of coffee or am distracted by my cat doing something cute – I swear, she has caused me to miss exactly four goals, and I’m absolutely positive she does this on purpose . Anyway, what better way to ease my pangs on an off-day than to offer a recap of my World Culinary Cup challenge? If you missed my last post and want the full run-down, as well as a long, meandering maudlin look at my World Cup memories of the past, have a look here . Otherwise, a brief reminder of what this little food and drink odyssey is all a...

Don’t worry: this isn’t really about actual football per se. There will be no talk of tactics, the intricacies of the game and there certainly won’t be any analysis or predictions; not directly, anyway. I learnt my lesson four years ago, when I was ridiculed and pilloried for the drivel I wrote about the 2010 World Cup. It got me into all sorts of trouble, my credibility was put into question, and I lost a handful of readers for good. My German pal Tilman probably still hasn’t forgiven me for lazily dismissing Germany’s chances, and I don’t think he’s read anything I’ve written since. Nowadays, I’d say the vast majority of those who read this couldn’t care less about football. Or maybe I’m wrong, who knows. But with the World Cup just days from kicking off, I’ve inevitably – as I’m wont to do – found myself drifting down memory lane, and reminiscing about where I was and what I was doing at various World Cups. Big sporting events tend to kick in the nostalgia and sentimentalit...