FOOTBALL - THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

I'm enjoying watching FIFA World Cup Women's Football. It's now at the semi-finals stage and I've watched some great games with surprising endings. Australia is through to the semi-finals and it would be damned good to see them get to the finals and even better to see them win it. A few 'underdog' teams  made it to the knockout stage which is good to see for the long-term future of the sport.

As the competition progressed it became obvious who the professional vs amateur teams were with their set routines, ball skills and athleticism but one annoying thing to see has been the gamesmanship - not in a good sense.

I was pleased to see the entitled and arrogant bitch in the England side given a red card for deliberately stomping on a Nigerian player but it should never have happened in the first place.

The top teams also showed too much of the deliberately falling about to gain free kicks and penalties, often doubling up in 'agony' after a brush with a competitor. It's pathetic really.

I remembered, and found this Fry and Laurie sketch which sends up this behaviour:

Another thing that intrigues me is that with televised screening to a very high standard nowadays players, and I guess particularly the women but there are a lot of pretty boy male players as well, doll themselves up for the games. Bloody football games!

They wear make-up, false eye lashes, hair extensions - the works to look good on camera.

Frankly it looks stupid.