Playing off the last defender, it’s the big-man-little-man partnership of football and funnies
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
TRUCKING HELL
ROSTOCK, GERMANY
A word of warning: never upset German football supporters. The DFL did just that with a proposal to flog Bundesliga TV rights to private equity investors, which sparked protests at a range of matches – one involving a pitch invasion by two remote control monster trucks carrying smoke bombs. The people said ‘Nein!’
PhotoJoern Pollex/Getty
NATIONAL HEROES
ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
Hosts Ivory Coast won AFCON despite losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group, then changing the coach mid-tournament – after such a triumph, little wonder that the parade went a bit bonkers. The maddest tournament win ever?
PhotoSia Kambou/PA/Getty
RED SKY AT NIGHT, LUTON DELIGHT
LUTON, ENGLAND
There are few more remarkable sights in the world than Luton at sunset, as the light fades on its natural beauty for another day. Hatters fans could only admire the view at Kenilworth Road in February – a handy distraction from Sheffield United’s 3-1 win.
PhotoMarc Atkins/Getty
SLOW BOAT IN CHINA
HONG KONG, CHINA
Hong Kong pushed the boat out when Lionel Messi visited for an Inter Miami friendly, the vessel also bearing the Adidas slogan ‘Impossible Is Nothing’. Sadly, injury meant Messi playing was in fact impossible – after paying big money to see him, the locals were suddenly extremely angry.
PhotoPeter Parks/AFP/Getty
DANCE WITH WOLVES
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