Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

Early Doors

Football good, rugby bad

Mon Jun 29 08:59AM

There has been something refreshing about the lack of hysteria surrounding the summer's two international tournaments.

The Confederations Cup and European U21 Championship have been played with the kind of level-headedness Early Doors feared was no longer possible.

Of course every team has wanted to win, but they have played under moderate pressure and without the histrionics that routinely accompany the bigger competitions.

You suspect that if Ivory Coast had been involved in the Confed Cup, Didier Drogba might have described their exit as 'a darned shame' rather than 'a f***ing disgrace'.

As a consequence, the quality of entertainment has been superb in both competitions.

From the moment Brazil's crazy 4-3 win over Egypt set the tournament properly in motion, the Confederations Cup has been a delight, producing goals in abundance and some genuine surprises.

It might owe something to the relative lack of pressure the teams are playing under, or it might be that their heads are already on a sunbed in the Maldives. Whatever the reason, it has been great fun. Shame about those bloody horns, though.

Last night's final was an appropriate end, with the USA threatening to follow up their win against Spain with another shock, before Brazil's quality eventually told.

Lucio's winner allowed him to show off a t-shirt telling the world that he loves Jesus (why does he only ever do that when he wins something? Did he have a separate t-shirt in case Brazil lost, saying 'Jesus let me down'?).

British people are uncomfortable with public displays of religious faith, but they are ever more common in sport.

Egypt marked each of their goals with a quick prayer, while Pakistan did the same when they won the World Twenty20 cricket.

However, they were upstaged by former skipper Wasim Akram, now in the commentary box.

Despite having no involvement whatsoever in the team's achievement, Wasim chose to dedicate the country's success to 'the brave army of Pakistan' which, while controversial, had the happy side-effect of reducing Nasser Hussain to silence.

England play the U21 final tonight against Germany, a fact that has not escaped the attention of the tabloids.

The Daily Mirror asks with supreme tenuousness: "It's England v Germany in a major final, Labour are clinging on to power and our captain is a West Ham star. Sound familiar?"

Wasn't it also quite warm on the day England won the World Cup? And we were also driving on the left that year. It must be fate...

The Sun, meanwhile, points out that Germany have chosen to wear their red change strip in an attempt to "crank up the mind games".

ED suspects that Britain's middle-aged newspaper men are slightly more obsessed with 1966 than a team of Germans who were born in the late 80s.

England's progress aside, it has still been an excellent tournament.

Early Doors is legitimately infatuated with Sweden striker Marcus Berg, the tournament's top scorer and a player with intelligence, physical presence and a wonderful array of finishes.

His partnership with Ola Toivonen yielded 10 goals in four games and has a touch of Rebrov-Shevchenko about it - Toivonen the deep-lying schemer and Berg the ruthless assassin.

If Early Doors were a team like Everton, it would do everything in its power to sign the pair of them.

Luckily for Everton, ED has no input into their recruitment policy, because if it did, it would be breaking rule one of transfers - never sign a player based on his performance at an international tournament, let alone two. ED calls it 'Poborsky's law'.

And in this case, it might be especially pertinent. Just because you look the part against a bunch of young shavers from Belarus, it doesn't mean you're going to do the business in a midweek trip to Stamford Bridge.

- - -

'Football is a game for gentlemen played by thugs; rugby is a game for thugs played by gentlemen.'

The next time anyone makes that sort of pat, condescending and arrogant remark, ED is going to go Schalk Burger on their ass and rip both their eyes off their stalks.

Footballers are frequently criticised for their behaviour on the pitch, and often with justification.

A common refrain is 'why can't they be more like rugby players?' Basically because they call the referee 'Sir' and clap each other on and off the pitch.

But Burger's premeditated and blatant gouge on Luke Fitzgerald during Saturday's South Africa-Lions game showed just how much mutual respect really exists behind the cosmetic niceties.

Even the supposedly exemplary way players deal with the ref is exaggerated.  Eurosport-Yahoo!'s very own Neil Back served a six-month ban in 1996 after pushing over referee Steve Lander following Leicester's defeat to Bath in the Pilkington Cup final.

Players might address him like he is a schoolmaster, but only usually to deny things of which they are clearly guilty.

Forwards in particular spend much of their time pushing the boundaries of legality and trying to deceive the ref. But because they aren't diving or feigning injury, nobody seems to mind that particular brand of cheating.

Throw in Matt Stevens's positive cocaine test and worrying tales of more widespread recreational drug use, and you have a sport that does not exactly live up to the Corinthian image some people would like to give it.

Footballers are vilified, often because they are young, poorly-educated, rich and frequently obnoxious. They are easy targets for envy.

Of course conduct in the game could be improved, but if football is looking for an example to follow, it should steer clear of rugby.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Joan Laporta on Manchester City's bid to sign Samuel Eto'o: "Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world. It's starting to become clear that he has this monster offer. He wants to stay but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse. If Eto'o accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone." So you're saying it's good.

FOREIGN VIEW: German rag Bild list has 20 reasons why the Nationalmannschaft will win tonight.

Included in these is: 'Because it is time for revenge!' Not for 1966, mind you. For 1982, when England beat Germany in the Euro U21 final.

Also featuring: 'Because our youngsters have been on apple juice for 18 days. They are 90 minutes away from going to a Swedish nightclub.'

COMING UP: England v Germany in the Euro U21 final - follow our live coverage from 19:45 UK time. Plus there is a stellar line-up at Wimbledon, including Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

  1. Early door should be made to know that the World cup is going to be staged in Africa and therefore, they should expect fun and pleasure the African way and not complain of horns. We are not in Europe or some other place and should not be told how to celebrate soccer. African style of celebrating football is special and therefore differnent from any other continent. The earlier one realises this fact, the better for those players including Xabi Alonso. It the horns were used in Europe, would they not be considered as new innovation that should be emulated. The world cup is going to be hosted in African soil, therefore the other continents should instead from from Africa's rich cultural funs which would be on display. That is the gospel truth that must be told.

    amaidunamaFrom amaidunama on Mon Jun 29 10:27AM

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  2. Early door should be made to know that the World cup is going to be staged in Africa and therefore, they should expect fun and pleasure the African way and not complain of horns. We are not in Europe or some other place and should not be told how to celebrate soccer. African style of celebrating football is special and therefore differnent from any other continent. The earlier one realises this fact, the better for those players including Xabi Alonso. It the horns were used in Europe, would they not be considered as new innovation that should be emulated. The world cup is going to be hosted in African soil, therefore the other continents should instead from from Africa's rich cultural funs which would be on display. That is the gospel truth that must be told.

    amaidunamaFrom amaidunama on Mon Jun 29 10:27AM

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  3. I called Ronaldo moving this summer, Kaka moving the day after the European Election. David Villa either going to Madrid or staying at Valencia. Tevez to City. Etoo to City and Ibra to Barca and I called Ribery not going to England. My transfer gossip is the best :-)

    annieh97From annieh97 on Mon Jun 29 10:28AM

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  4. No 28, "USA" beat world no 1 Spain 2 - 0. Spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!! Hm, think so.

    baatjes_99From baatjes_99 on Mon Jun 29 10:29AM

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  5. To annieh97, villa is going to Barca, and the rest was plain obvious lol any1 could of called those, Ibra ain't going to barca as well, they will get Villa, they have just purchased a young brazilian and loaned him out so they wont need that waste of space from Inter.

    postmanpatcanFrom postmanpatcan on Mon Jun 29 10:38AM

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  6. 32-I agree with almost everything you say. Except the gospel malarky!!

    andy_lycettFrom andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 10:46AM

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  7. postmanpatcan But you didnt and I did its ok saying obvious, etc btw can you use the post box not the letter box and leave Jess in the van its driving the dog nuts

    annieh97From annieh97 on Mon Jun 29 10:47AM

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  8. Talking of tee shirts, anybody notice the one the lad was wearing at the Tom Jones set at Glastonbury??
    Tom Jones sha99ed my Grannie hard.

    andy_lycettFrom andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 10:48AM

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  9. lol missed that one Andy - Blur classed it up though didnt they

    annieh97From annieh97 on Mon Jun 29 10:55AM

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  10. 39-I don't do sleeping outdoors, but had I known The Specials and Madness were playing I would of defo made a exception!!

    andy_lycettFrom andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 11:02AM

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  11. It is easy to concentrate on players be they rugby or football but dont you think the fans are also a big influence on the whole cene I do not wish to be an ordinary member of the public or a shop owner anywhere near a football field when the popular team has lost after the game if almost a whole army of police are not present please feel free to contradict this statement I would not be so worried about a rugby match half as much.

    bizeebee2912From bizeebee2912 on Mon Jun 29 11:03AM

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  12. Looks like Germany are set to destroy the hopes of the Englaenders again hooray for apple juice :-)

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:09AM

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  13. Gentleman gouge eyes, thugs gob all over the place and fall over in the slightest breeze of a far*ing referee or linesman what the problem with that ? :-)

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:11AM

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  14. Gratz To Brail

    aljokerpopFrom aljokerpop on Mon Jun 29 11:13AM

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  15. RELIGIOUS SENSITIVITY ED! You people give us all kind of Terms and
    Conditions under which one will make a post to blogs like this. I am amazed that you take on Lucio's print exclamation in order to get to the Egyptians act of dedicating victory to the Almighty Allah, and to further hit at someone else. These comments are pointless. The world is taking a new turn in terms of inter-religious relations, accomodation of another despiter the religious difference, atheists (and those who deliberately NO LONGER BELIEVE in anything but science and gambling). Should ED not be part of a campaing that says NO DISCRIMINATION? I think FIFA will be interested in looking into today's post, and if possible,....
    If I was one of Lucio's faith, I would not have been happy that you took on such a sensitive matter on a monday morning, already am not so happy that you mock the faithful Egyptians.
    You better watch your steps ED.

    saddiqlillahFrom saddiqlillah on Mon Jun 29 11:20AM

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  16. The real class at Glasto this year allegedly was to be seen on the 'Big Screen' where the animation of Rutland Boughton's opera 'The Immortal Hour' directed by one Ralph Juergen Colmar left viewers begging for more :-)

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:21AM

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  17. The real class at Glasto this year allegedly was to be seen on the 'Big Screen' where the animation of Rutland Boughton's opera 'The Immortal Hour' directed by one Ralph Juergen Colmar left viewers begging for more :-)

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:21AM

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  18. RELIGIOUS SENSITIVITY ED! You people give us all kind of Terms and
    Conditions under which one will make a post to blogs like this. I am amazed that you take on Lucio's print exclamation in order to get to the Egyptians act of dedicating victory to the Almighty Allah, and to further hit at someone else. These comments are pointless. The world is taking a new turn in terms of inter-religious relations, accomodation of another despiter the religious difference, atheists (and those who deliberately NO LONGER BELIEVE in anything but science and gambling). Should ED not be part of a campaing that says NO DISCRIMINATION? I think FIFA will be interested in looking into today's post, and if possible,....
    If I was one of Lucio's faith, I would not have been happy that you took on such a sensitive matter on a monday morning, already am not so happy that you mock the faithful Egyptians.
    You better watch your steps ED.
    ...................
    FOREIGH VIEW: Should Mr Blatter allow video technology in determining a goal? What would have happened if the USA went ahead to defeat Brazil after Tim Howard brought Kaka's ball out from deep across the line?
    (These are more urgent issues to consider than Lucio's T-shirt, ED)

    saddiqlillahFrom saddiqlillah on Mon Jun 29 11:22AM

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  19. If science and gambling can make you rich and religion can turn you into a suicide bomber I'll stick with science and gambling. All religious opinion should be kept where it belongs in the closet :-)

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:24AM

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  20. Looks like Man City will be employing some of the most expensive bench warmers in history, how long before Michael Owen jumps ship at Hull and joins Man City, or Henry joins team mate Eto'd ?

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:26AM

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  21. If we had machines deciding on goals England might never ever have won the World Cup !

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:28AM

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  22. 49 - arttidesco - even though your comment also hurts, it indirectly, unconscious to you, supports my opinion that this blog should not bring up such issues as a lot of people will be hurt. You are completely misinformed about terrorism - i hope that one day you know the truth and the differnce between "fanatics and genuine holy people".

    saddiqlillahFrom saddiqlillah on Mon Jun 29 11:30AM

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  23. The ED quote is wrong!! Football is a game played by gentlemen & watched by hooligans, Rugby is a game played by hooligans & watched by gentlemen!!! There's more respect for the ref in rugby & little or no respect for a football ref!! No one will condone what Burger did during Saturdays game & he should have had a straight red card for that offence! But come the end of the game there was no violence outside the stadium with rival fans, you probably would have even found them drinking together. Shame the same can't be said for football!!!!!

    jonmaunderFrom jonmaunder on Mon Jun 29 11:31AM

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  24. 'stratospheric offers' are becoming more and more obscene.. anyone else ceasing to care? E'too 'if' he turns up will not play with the same passion as he does for Barca and without that edge he will not be worth a fraction of what is being quoted :-(

    fbf.foreverFrom fbf.forever on Mon Jun 29 11:35AM

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  25. #52 look at what happened to the good people of Northern Ireland when they religion into their lives or the people of Cyprus all this madness when science and gambling could have made them rich and let them enjoy long happy lives !

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:41AM

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  26. Has Man City wised up to the fact that it might be worth employing a manager yet ?

    arttidescoFrom arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 11:44AM

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  27. 54-Less and less everyday Al. Sky, Sheikhs (fake and real), oligarchs and American Franchise owners (my club inc) are beginning to really depress me. Chelsea now and Blackburn years ago prove that money can buy most things but it may not last coz its built on sand not rock (Utd et al).
    Who knows where we end!!

    andy_lycettFrom andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 11:49AM

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  28. 55 - or poor and radioactive... but your point is still well made!

    danny_saksFrom danny_saks on Mon Jun 29 11:51AM

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  29. the @#$% who wrote this, find the highest bridge and jump off. Oh and take the idiots who say rugby is a thugs game too. Rugby is a game played at the highest of passion, you can knock lumps out of each other. But once final whistle has been blown, you straight away forget what has happened shake hands and share a few drinks. No @#$% and moaning or throwing a tantrum, no manager moaning there was still 4 mins left etc. So the moron who wrote the article crawl back under your little rock for good

    helmet107From helmet107 on Mon Jun 29 12:03PM

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  30. 'Because our youngsters have been on apple juice for 18 days. They are 90 minutes away from going to a Swedish nightclub.'
    hahaha

    wa.irvineFrom wa.irvine on Mon Jun 29 12:08PM

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