Daily Archives: July 4, 2024

Political football: How soccer has shaped the UK general election

“A generous estate agent might describe the two-up, two-down terraced houses on the cramped side streets that lead towards Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium as ‘snug’. On this warm day, the windows of several are open and the smell of frying mince and onions hangs over the turnstiles in the Brian Moore Stand, an open ‘temporary’ structure held together by scaffolding that has now been in place for more than 20 years. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Euro 2024 power rankings: how the teams in the last 16 shaped up


“A dominant 4-1 win against Georgia in the last 16 means Spain stay top of our rankings. They fell behind in the first half but the end result never felt in doubt. Luis de la Fuente’s side had 36 attempts to Georgia’s four; they attempted 823 passes and completed 94%. Or put it this way: Georgia were outplayed, yet they didn’t play badly. Spain were simply superb. Again. The starting XI seems settled now but there can be no complacency because the options from the bench are so strong. Against Georgia, De la Fuente put on, among others, Dani Olmo and Álex Grimaldo with the former scoring. …”
Guardian