Albert Tatlock

Someone gave me a spare copy last week. What do you think? I know it's one of those touchstone records, but I just plain don't like it, apart from one track. Oh well ...

I am going to try and see him sometime - he plays small venues in London every few months - though in truth this particular album isn't too good actually. Edit - second half is much better.

I was picturing the scene across many parts of the east coast: junior in front of the TV chanting U..S..A..U..S..A.., whilst granddad spits and shuffles out to the kitchen muttering in the language of the old country.

Nice to see Maradona going beserk in the stands too. I had the usual view on him until I saw a documentary about him a while back. He was living in Cuba and watching a match featuring his old team Boca Juniors on TV and going absolutely mental. You just have to like that kind of passion for sport.

Wow - Argentina are on fire!

Thanks for making that clear on my behalf. It was generally a bit too quiet if you ask me (quieter than Brian Wilson last year), but the sound was good quality. As you can see, it's a nice place to be beside the Thames of a sunny evening. Update: I didn't go to listen to Van Morrison last night as I wasn't feeling so good. But he's there next week so I hope to try then. Plus Jools Holland Big Band. Plus Art Garfunkel - will not go there as I don't think I could handle the emotion of a rendition of Bright Eyes - hazy tearful vision on the bike ride home could be catastrophic!

They both did - the 2 countries were joint hosts. Korea got to the semi finals. They look a bit lost this time around - none of the buzz they had then. African sides often play with an exuberance and desire to attack that is great to see. They typically are less disciplined and/or skilled in defence, which can be their undoing. Edit: Case in point. Togo have a player sent off for last ditch foul. Korea score from free kick.

It's a pretty scrappy game, neither side putting much together.

Wait until you see Brazil on a good day! Maybe later today.

I am primarily a rugby fan, and our world cup (next year!) is not so all encompassing, but the world wide mass appeal of the Football World Cup as an event makes it very special - much more so than the Olympics or anything else. It is a shame that Americans in general miss out on this greatest of sporting carnivals. Football is so universal it is a real ice-breaker all around the world. All the places I have been there have been kids who when they learn you are from the UK will smile and say "Manchester United!", "Liverpool" etc. I also had a conversation about Samantha Fox with a guy in Syria

I had the pleasure of the ccompany of a very drunk crowd of Aussies on a tube home last night. This is the final straw - the one big sport they have never been too good at ...

Isn't there some way of fooling IE as to your origin? I have heard of it but can't remember. Someone here must know.

I don't know of any. BBC has a link from here labelled as real time video http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm but I can't check it out as streaming media is normally blocked here. At least you could get some BBC radio coverage from that page too which woul dbe better then atext updates (and get you slang up to date!).

Absolutely classic scene. I did do PGCE teacher training fo a year with sports as a subsidiary. They showed that as a 'how not to do it'. The kid hanging upside down from the crossbar and trying to keep his hands warm with the fat kid as the goal goes in. We also had the skanky pair of shorts that the PE teacher would provide for anyone who had forgotten their kit. We had teachers playing rugby like that - scoring tries as little kids dangled off their legs trying to tackle them.

Sounds like you had a career as a PE teacher all mapped out in front of you. Where did it all go wrong? Now to get my little popup window ready for the USA/Czechs.

Was Eric Clapton involved?

Oh yes. And when there was an odd number or low number of kids the question was always "Goalie when or goalie stuff?" Goalie when - goalie could come out and play outfield Goalie stuff - goalie had to stay in his area Why when and stuff I have no idea.

OK - bit of a one trick pony - good heart, but not so skilful for me. Just the 'of all time' tag got me thinking: Pele, Muller, Cruyff, etc etc Before your time I suppose. The first match I can remember (just) was the final with Brazil in 1970, and running around outside pretending to be players from that team. Now that was a thing of beauty. Dutch total football from the 70's.

adverts You quasi quasi wabbit!

Glad you can enjoy it properly Maybe it helps that it's not prime time with the time difference.

I wanted to ask what the deal is with TV coverage in the US. Are there cable/subscription channels that will show you 45 minutes uninterrupted, or will they try to slip in a quick advert during an injury etc.? Given the choice, I won't wach ITV because they have adverts either side of the half-time pundits analysis. I couldn't cope with being a sports fan in the US. Is that the basic reason why football will never be big bucks in the US? Err ...

Bugger, I could have been watching this on the intranet. Starting up small window on PC now! Good timing. "Australians celebrate as only Australians can! They've come from behind!"

Seems like there's a ful tour in effect: http://www.whereseric.com/tour/