Mick Wall

Garry Bushell

Stephen Rea

Diary of a Madman

Ozzy Osbourne

For the Summer 2018 World Cup, the ultimate book for soccer fans around the globe! The world will be riveted by the globe’s greatest sporting event in summer of 2018 (more than 27 million Americans watched the final game of the last tournament in Brazil). The 2018 edition will bring the sports’s greatest stars together, but who will take home the trophy?favorites Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina? Or a surprise?Belgium, Mexico, Portugal, or Colombia? And why is the World Cup the greatest event in sports? Whether you call the game soccer or football, whether you have been watching the game for decades or are new to the joys of the beautiful game, you’ll love what Stephen Rea has to say in World Cup Fever. Born in Belfast, and now rooting for Northern Ireland and Chelsea from his home in New Orleans, he breaks down what smart fans should know about the World Cups past and present. Chapters highlight shocking upsets; immortal players such as Pelé, Maradona, Zidane, Iniesta, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, and more; and the most thrilling games from every tournament, starting with tales of the thirteen teams that played in Uruguay 1930. With a look at the stars who will light up Russia in 2018?Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Paul Pogba (France), Neymar (Brazil), Thomas Müller (Germany)?this is the perfect read for anyone who believes that the World Cup is bigger than the Super Bowl, World Series, and Olympics combined. Often humorous and punctuated with personal anecdotes, passion, and knowledge, here is the beautiful game brought to life for every fan!

A Fanatic's Guide to the Stars, Teams, Stories, Controversy, and Excitement of Sports' Greatest Event

World Cup Fever

In 2004, Belfast-born Stephen Rea moved to New Orleans, a city where "football" means something entirely different than what it does back home. After struggling to find a place to watch European soccer games, Rea discovered Finn McCool's pub and its mixed clientele of good-humored European ex-pats, charismatic New Orleanians, and assorted matchless personalities. Before long he was playing on the pub's motley over-thirty-five fledgling soccer team. Gathered at the bar on August 27, 2005, members of the team were discussing their upcoming match, untroubled by the impending storm and unknowing that their city and team would nearly be obliterated by Hurricane Katrina in a matter of hours. Days later, the lucky among them were scattered across the country; the others struggled to survive as they awaited rescue in New Orleans. With clarity and compassion, Rea examines the disaster as he profiles the experiences of his teammates and their efforts to resurrect the team and pub that had become so central in all of their lives. A gripping and moving memoir about an unusual pub team and a devastating natural disaster, Finn McCool’s Football Club is a celebration of ex-pats and pubs, soccer and sportsmanship, and the strength it takes to rebuild a team, a city, and a life.

Stephen Rea

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