Articles
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The Widening Gap Between South America and Europe
Soccer, football, futebol, fussball, voetbal, calcio. Whatever the name, the sport played with your feet involving ten outfielders and a goalkeeper per side is known to most as the beautiful game – something that all fans worldwide can agree on. No matter the continent or country, individuals are brought together with the common passion and…
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How Mesut Özil Became the DFB’s Favorite Scapegoat
On July 22nd, Arsenal player Mesut Özil announced his retirement from international football. This came about a month after Germany’s dismal World Cup performance, where they managed to score only two goals total against the likes of Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea. Although his surprising retirement saddened many, it was his thorough statement that has…
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The insurmountable gap between Everton and the top 6
So near, yet so far. Right through from Big Dunc to Big Sam, those five words have rung so painfully true at Goodison Park for so many years. 5th. 6th. 7th. Even all the way down to 11th. Everton seem to be well and truly stuck in the mid-table mire. In recent years though, things…
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Best World Cup Matches: Mexico-Germany
Line-ups: Manuel Neuer was deemed fit to start in goal for Germany after his long spell out with a fractured foot. Marvin Plattenhardt was a surprise choice at left-back, ahead of Jonas Hector, while Julian Draxler was preferred to Marco Reus. Mexico’s line-up was as expected, though set up in a 4-2-3-1 rather than their…
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Best World Cup Matches: Croatia-England
Russia 2018 will go down as one of the greatest World Cup tournaments in history. At the semi final stage, the contrast between the two games couldn’t have been any more different. On one side, the golden generations of Belgium and France squared off, and as pre-tournament favorites, it came as no surprise. On the…
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Jump Jesse, Jump
It was a sunny afternoon in Manchester on 16th August 2014. After a fairly successful preseason, the first game of the Premier league campaign awaited Louis van Gaal, as Manchester United prepared to take on Swansea City at Old Trafford. There was a joyous buzz all around the stadium for the new season, as the…
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N’Golo Kanté: The People’s Champion
N’Golo Kanté. The people’s champion. The shy and humble superstar who in three years has gone from a complete nobody to a World Cup winner and a two-time Premier League champion. The man who claims to be human, yet plays like he’s got 100 Fortnite shield potion and other-worldly stamina. The man who, despite being slated for…
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Best World Cup Matches: Argentina-Nigeria
In the aftermath of Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Iceland, which followed Argentina 3-0 defeat against Croatia, the worldwide media was agog with tales of how Nigeria had paved the way for Messi’s Argentina to qualify. In fact, it started before the game was even played. In many ways, it was massively disrespectful to a Nigerian…
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Best World Cup Matches: Belgium-Japan
Belgium was the team that pleased the neutrals the most at the 2018 World Cup with its attacking play, thanks largely to its golden generation of footballers coming to the fore. Prior to the tournament, De Rode Duivels were considered to be dark horses for the trophy, but there was skepticism over the team. Under…
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Percy Bysshe Shelley, Hate and Germany: How It All Connects
“History is a cyclical poem written by a time upon the memories of man” – Percy Bysshe Shelley. It is indeed true that history is cyclical. It is man’s stubbornness that this unfortunate claim yields true, time and time again. Alas, that is how man is created and unfortunately, how his status will be in…
