Argentina
It was on the one hand refreshing to hear Maradona's comment that Lionel Messi should not have won the Golden Ball at the World Cup. He is of course right, that Messi was not worthy of being called the best player of the tournament, and so there are other forces in play. Maradona claims it was a 'marketing ploy' and he's probably correct; Messi himself looked rather despondent when collecting the gong - embarrassed, even. On the other hand, I suspect Maradona has a rather personal agenda in making this judgement about Messi, because it serves him rather too well if Messi is judged not to have played well or delivered the right performances on the word stage. The result is that he, Maradona, is still viewed as the reigning and all-time master of football to every Argentinian.
Argentinian President
Meanwhile, the country's president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, welcomed back the footballers and their entourage, confirming that she had not watched a single match - not even the final. With support like that, it's amazing she even bothered with the welcome.
There is no doubt that the strangely entertaining team manager, Alejandro Sabella, managed to do very well indeed, and is bowing out on a high, despite not actually winning the final. To come second is no mean feet, especially with Messi playing, on average, only 20 minutes per game (though the stats will of course confirm he was on the field for all of each and every match).
Italy
The Costa Concordia has been lifted and put upright, in the salvage operation that's costing (no pun intended) an absolute fortune. I suppose that there was not really much choice in what to do about the sunken wreck. To leave the ship underwater would probably have been unacceptable to the relatives of those who drowned, and insulting to their memories. Nevertheless, it seems that the cost of the total operation is now likely to be as much as £1.5billion. This is a phenomenal sum of money, and the scrap value won't compare in the slightest with such an amount. Seeing as the fuel (2380 tonnes) was removed within two months, back in March 2012, there was no real danger to the environment. Anyway, it probably just means that insurance premium rises will claw it back.
Mustique
It seems Cheryl has tied the knot again. I refer of course to Cheryl Tweedy, who managed for some reason to retain the surname 'Cole' for ages, despite divorcing Ashley Cole. Whilst he was deemed unsuitable, his name was apparently okay. Now we learn that she's changed her name after marrying Jean-Bernard, a chap who is no doubt nice, and is awash with names of his own. Not content with a double barrel for a christian name, the surname follows suit. Thus, Cheryl is now Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. I rather suspect this will become a (nauseating) topic of conversation during the forthcoming X-Factor fiasco.
I am sure there will be a few mutterings, and some pandering to the newly wed so that she can grin and lap up the attention. Somehow I expect Louis to have a little giggle here and there, and Simon will need to be careful not to upset her again.
Germany
The German footballers have returned to received adulation from millions, after the World Cup triumph. The turnout was phenomenal, as the players toured on a massive open-topped lorry.
On the side of the black bus that collected them from the airport were the dates of the World Cup wins, and it's a shame there was one 'blip' in the timings. If there had been a win in 1994 instead of 1990, then the orderly and regular 20-year pattern would have been maintained. 1954 - 1974 - 1990 - 2014.
UK
The government has decided that it will be better served by having some women in key positions. I have absolutely nothing against these women, or any women, in their quests for careers and promotion. However, I certainly do have an issue with anyone getting on simply because they have a cunt or a prick, rather than on merit. I find it rather it a bit hard to accept that the Prime Minister is shuffling things around purely on merit, which means (conveniently) there are more women suddenly in play. This smacks of something a little more 'creative' than simply merit promotions.
Meanwhile, the Church of England has managed to come to terms with women, and allow female bishops in England. So while the Cabinet gets an influx of women to create governmental mayhem, there will be alongside this, in the CofE, an influx of women bishops to deal with the mess the country is in. I fear that neither group will have any positive impact at all. This is not a slight on women - the men are pretty shit as well, from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the PM down to the local clergy and councilors. Religion and Politics, eh?
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