Rob Parker | March 10, 2010
No, it’s not possible
OTP cannot say for certain what the good people of the Republic of Ireland did to offend the South African Tourism Board, but we do know that this retaliation is a little close to the bone. In case South Africa was in hibernation at the time, Ireland failed to qualify for this [...]
Rob Parker | January 22, 2010
Barmy Army turn out to be the Bleeding Obvious Army
England’s travelling mob of cricket supporters, the Barmy Army, have teamed up with the Foreign Office to offer tips to footy fans planning to make the trip to South Africa this summer. The Barmy Army have been following England’s cricketers on their tour of the country, [...]
Rob Parker | December 10, 2009
Germans get World Cup advantage
Fabio Capello is rumoured to be far from pleased after probable members of Germany’s World Cup squad got their hands (and feet) on the official matchball last weekend. Several players in Germany’s Bundesliga, where teams are allowed to choose who supplies their matchball, have already played with the Adidas Jabulani months [...]
Rob Parker | December 7, 2009
Charlize gets her wish
This might have been the dream scenario for Irish viewers of the 2010 World Cup draw, but for everyone else it would have just prolonged the guff-fest even more.
Rob Parker | December 4, 2009
Actress’ Henry gag
Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron has got Sepp Blatter and co hot under the collar as she prepares to host the World Cup draw later today. She was taking part in a rehearsal mock draw yesterday and pulled an ‘Ireland’ ball out of the hat.
Theron’s long-term partner, actor Stuart Townsend, is Irish and had [...]
Rob Parker | December 2, 2009
2010 World Cup begins to sound like an abattoir
If OTP had built some shiny new World Cup stadia, the last thing we would want to do is splatter them with bovine blood. But who are we to decide what is best for South Africa 2010? It is possible that each stadium will be blessed [...]
Rob Parker | December 1, 2009
It’s round
Since every World Cup produces an accompanying matchball which is supposedly “rounder” than its predecessor, you could be forgiven for thinking that footballs are now about as round as they are likely to get. Not so, according to Adidas.
They will officially unveil their Adidas Jabulani ball at Friday’s World Cup draw and are sticking [...]
