The Centennial Of The Christmas Soccer Truce

((HT: CNN/Masters))

It's one of the great legends of this day...

100 years ago, the western front was where the battle was the fiercest in World War I- for more reasons than just the weaponry this time of year. In what was referred to as "No Man's Land" in Belgium, it has been told that British and German soldiers laid down their arms on the day the War was promised to end and played a spontaneous match of soccer.

And we're talking hundreds per side...

It has been romanticized and retold- even making it to the Sainsbury's Chocolates ad campaign for this holiday season


The question, though, has always been: Did this happen...???

There has been eyewitness reference to it, but one professor says the whole event has been blown up to match the tale. Mark Connelly, Professor of Modern British History at the Center for War, Propaganda and Society at the UK's University of Kent gives the whole thing a "Yeah, but" mentality.

"I think it highly likely that someone, somewhere did bring out a ball and a bit of a kick about took place, but that is a long, long way from saying it definitely happened and that it was anything like a formal match rather than just men tapping a ball about a bit," Connelly told CNN.
"There is a huge difference between a truce and fraternization and we have tended to put the two together."

Here's how Fox Sports addressed the story in their "Rise As One" series...
Although, the HQ strenuously objects to beer bottles being held in a war memorial
((HT: Budweiser))


An educational program has been brought about by the Football Association (the FA) and the Premier League to continue the education of youth in the theatre. There have been annual tournaments in Belgium at Ypres, ad campaigns on their own, and educational packets to make sure the stories are not lost and the importance of remembering history is always retained.

And that's the larger message, we think...

Never forget a sacrifice and recall the bravery of those who served and continue to serve to this day...

Learn more about the Christmas Truce below...
((HT: The History Channel))

FIFA's Take Is To Blame Britain For Corrupt Bids Process

((HT: Sky Sports))

Shocking no one, really...

The findings of the FIFA-requested inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 bidding processes that eventually awarded the World Cups to Russia and Qatar were revealed as clean. But the villian, as exposed by FIFA in their review press conference was Britain...

Naturally...

But the former US attorney who came up with the review is now critical of the edited version that FIFA has released themselves claiming that the edited version is wrong.

Michael Garcia has a 400-plus page report that was edited down to, about, 10-percent of that for the public review.

FIFA's top judge, Hans-Joachim Eckert, came up with his own version
((HT: Deadspin))

FIFA report

Here's the Hometown Headlines review of the findings and England is not happy...


Garcia will go in front of the FIFA Appeals Committee- which should have the attention span of a cocker spaniel when it comes to listening to their original author.

The HQ doesn't think this will go anywhere other than an appointment on a calendar...

Costa Rica Knocks Off Italy, England Knocked Out

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Italy looks like they're another squad that might be in transition (or in need of transition) after the Forza Azzuri's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica Friday. The result puts Italy in an interesting place heading into their third match and knocks England out before their third- against Costa Rica before the knockout stages.

Here's the highlights


The Ticos haven't made the Round of 16 since 1990, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to life in the next round.

And the larger question may be the future of Prandelli and his Italian squad.

Brazil 2014: Is England Next Out...???

((HT: ESPN/FIFA/Sky Sports/Sportsnet))

The answer is prolly...

After Luis Suarez knocked off 5 teammates yesterday in his soccer debut after knee surgery. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says that the squad is "grasping at straws" if they think they'll make it to the knockout stages.

Here's how Suarez did it...


And England skipper Roy Hodgson is not gonna quit- although a lot of folks want his head...


FOSG James Sharman thinks that the big guns for England didn't show up...

Does Zlatan Even Like Zlatan's Goal...???

((HT: ourmatches.net/youtube))

All the HQ is really going to do is let you watch this absolutely obscene bicycle kick from the Swede's 4-2 win over England in a friendly this afternoon...


Okay...

If thata's not a Goal of the Year candidate, the HQ will NEVER know what is...