Got it; got it; need it; got it; need it…The Economics of Panini Stickers

    The Economist dug into the secrets behind the much-beloved World Cup albums in their series, The Economist Explains.

    In an effort to rekindle the joy of youth, I myself have been indulging a little bit of packet opening – it is quite fun, after all.

    Fans lucky enough to attend Toronto FC’s last match prior to the World Cup break would have been able to get their hands on a free edition of the album – the packs however, will cost you.

    It is available in podcast, or written form, here.

    Expensive stuff – needless to say, most albums will be left sadly unfinished; happy hunting!

From the Bookshelf – Philippe Auclair’s New Book “Thierry Henry – Lonely at the Top: A Biography”

    Out just in time for Christmas, Mr. Auclair’s latest work looks at the life and career of France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

    Given the extreme attention to detail and endless hours of investigation employed in his previous biography, of Eric Cantona, one can only assume it to be a similarly striking work.

    A lengthy interview with Off the Ball of Ireland’s Newstalk 106-108 on Tuesday (December 18th) discusses the scope of the project – give it a listen either on their popup player or via iTunes.

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Six – The Vagabond 2: Montpellier

    A blank canvas and a license to run.

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Five – The Vagabond 1: Marseilles and Bordeaux

    The white and sky blue of Marseille; the mantle of light turned tunic of Nessus.

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Four – Farewell to Auxerre

    Auditions; primed for the big occasion.

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Three – Auxerre: The Professional

    The patterned life of a professional footballer; a girl; love. A clever plan, well-executed, to spur and save the youth.  

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Two – Auxerre: The Apprentice

    A frank talk of a mind already set; a childhood left behind; dodgems and a billiards table, symbols of adolescence.

Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter One – I Am The King! I Am The King!

    The House hewn of the grandfather’s hands, on the rocky hill of dubious history; a traitorous affection for Cruyff’s Ajax; a getaway to a hut on the Mediterranean with Jacques Cousteau.

First Person View - Book of the Month - Reflections – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague

    I really enjoy these travel log style regional explorations – Simon Kuper’s Football Against the Enemy and Jonathan Wilson’s Behind the Curtain: Travels in Eastern European Football are of the same vein - and Mr. Montague has skillfully used the game of football to break down some of the walls our Western minds have put up around this complicated region.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Twelve – Jordan

    Jordan, unique amongst its neighbours; a place to let your hair down, be whomever you want to be. Perfectly timed for a fierce title decider; between the home side and that of the refugees.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Eleven - Syria

    A militant club in a militant country; conscription has its benefits. Visa-free trip to meet the Colonel. Portraits with Vigo-like qualities line the walls of the compound.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Ten – Lebanon

    The opening of the season; the Paris of the Middle East. Beauty gives way to bullet-holes in a nation of political and religious factions; Christians vs. Christians, Muslims vs. Muslims, it’s complicated. Every club is backed by one.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Nine – West Asian Championships

    An international tournament turned political minefield; played in Jordan, an island of diplomacy in a tense sea of conflict. Third time the charm with the Iraqi national team – tales of Tae Kwon Do, Uday, and loss; grim perseverance and enduring hope the mantra.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Eight – Egypt

    Red or White? Ahly or Zamalek? Only one answer is acceptable in the Cairo Derby, the biggest game in Africa, most watched too.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Seven - Palestine

    In Bethlehem, University politics taken to a new dimension, Women’s football – a seed planted some twenty years prior – beginning to slowly flower; Honey, quite the right foot.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Six – Yemen

    Ancient Skyscrapers in an unchanged land; two and a half millennia of uninterrupted human habitation; Yemen, the oft-overlooked, occasionally forgotten factor in the war on terror. Moderate of faith, relaxed in views, but troubled nonetheless, beers and camping allowed.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Five – Iraq at the Gulf Cup

    Shamefully failed statements of public … relation, timely calls of a last-minute availability; a casual trip to the most dangerous place on Earth.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Four – Israel

    Israel, a land fractured by its divisions and ringed with fences of intimidation. Hatred and hash, political factions turned football clubs. Life is lived on the edge; a party on the verge of disaster. Young faces with massive guns everywhere.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Three - Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the World Cup

    The World Cup in Germany, to outsiders a peaceful, well-orchestrated, celebration of the game. To those on the ground however, especially those following the fortunes of the two Middle Eastern teams – Iran and Saudi Arabia, things did not go as smoothly as the invested would have you believe.

Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Two – Iran

    Iran, a much misunderstood lone wolf on the world’s stage, is the subject of the second chapter of this enthralling read.