A few football links, as threatened.
Sid Lowe writing on the Torres transfer saga: Sid Lowe = always FANTASTIC. Here is the Guardian take on the whole thing, though previously they were looking more at Chelsea's take on the whole thing. And, of course, now that Ancelotti has Torres to pick from, what happens to Nico Anelka? (By the way, as well as Sid Lowe, ZM is a fantastic place to find more in-depth studies of football formations/plays/players/teams/&c. Look at this piece on Dani Alves, for example!)
Backpage on Mats Hummels (!!!!)
I really enjoyed this article, mostly for this bit: To them, a team’s support is place-based and heritable. Support can’t be changed; it’s serious.
Also, there's been some developments (not necessarily good ones) in the gearing-up towards Euro2012.
A bit on Cesc Fábregas, a bit on Cristiano Ronaldo, a bit on why Rafa was sacked from Inter, a bit on Raul Meireles, a bit on Andres Iniesta, and a bit on Andre Villas-Boas -- watch out for that name in the next few years, guys.
Then there's the people saying football should be fun and that it's time we put down the chalkboards. Though, we still need to know about the lofty bocadillo.
Serious things like Stonewall FC, depression, anarchy, and football in Northern Ireland.
Then there are a couple pretty things: footballing trends! traditional London supporters!
To sum: this is so me.
Also, footballers are dorks.
THE END.