MC Prussian

Failed at upkeeping my bamboo for more than two years. Plant is more thirsty than I expected. I also couldn't maintain lavender. Grows in other parts, greatly exposed to the sun. But not on my balcony.

Also, what are the odds of us announcing our 2025/26 kits last in the Championship? We're four weeks away from the first league game. To me. that's just another marketing blunder.

I personally think they offer much more customization. I wouldn't mind Macron or Umbro, either. With Adidas, you typically have to adhere to their stripes in the design. Also not a big fan of that rather dominant and clunky three-stripes logo.

Can't wait for this Adidas kit deal to end. Apart from the retro range (see Germany national team), their shirts are ultra-bland. Would love for us to go back to Puma.

36 matches so far at this Club World Cup, the first one with the new setup, and we're blaming one freak injury on a whole tournament? I'm not necessarily a big fan of pre-season competitions, but this CWC has been rather enjoyable. It's not as if Musiala's inclusion was Kompany's and his staff's decision.

Did we actually play in the training kit?

Derby County home:

Virginia Madsen's tribute message to her older brother says it all. We've lost a legend, an iconic actor, a heavyweight in film. Gone too soon. R.I.P.

Hooked on the original Mission: Impossible TV series (1966 to 1973). Got the Blu-ray boxset for cheap recently. Not every episode is golden, but there's plenty of stories that have really stood the test of time rather well. The most interesting aspect in most episodes are the measures taken by the IMF team in order to accomplish their mission.

It's the 20th anniversary of "Z" – My Morning Jacket's best, most complete album:

FC Lugano home:

125 years of NEC Nijmegen:

All the best someplace else,, Ruud. I've got nothing against you personally. I just think you were the wrong manager at the wrong time. More than anything, I blame our board and their management skills – or rather, their skill in picking a suitable first-team manager. I just can't get my head around the fact they thought one of the best strikers in PL history would be able to fix our leaky defense or give us some sort of team cohesion. Utterly baffling. And I do agree, it's a rather peculiar timing. Could've been done weeks ago. No need to couple it to the announcement of a successor.

Probably the best choice besides Christopher Nolan. I'd say Robert Eggers would do a great job, too.

Shame Meta won't release the Quest 3S XBOX VR headset outside of the US and the UK... Would've loved to get my hands on one. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/06/24/meta-quest-3s-xbox-edition/ Would anyone order one for me from Argos or EE?

Build from the back, they say. Defense wins Championships, they say. Love him or hate him – right now, I think we do need a manager like Dyche. Never been a big fan, but if he helps us shaping a team that deserves that name and instills a "ne'er quit" mentality, I'm in. Some players, the main culprits from this joke of a season that has just passed, do need a good kick up their arse.

Does that mean Stade Reims stay in Ligue 1? Or will Dunkerque and Guingamp have to fight it out in another playoff fixture?

Certainly was a nail-biter, going into extra-time. Fantastic to see Oviedo back in the top flight, they have the better, bigger fanbase, the bigger stadium. What a journey from the depths of going into administration. Have to say, though – the penalty looked a bit soft. Now Santi Cazorla has to add another season. Legend. Always liked him, be it at Villarreal or Arsenal.

I really dig the new Cambrige United home shirt:

I've come around quite a bit. At first, I though it'd be an unnecessary strain on teams and players in what we used to call off-season. But after all, footballers want to play, the clubs get more exposure, can gain more followers – and money. I found most matches at the Club World Cup quite entertaining, there's tons of exciting, "exotic" matchups. However, fan response has been mixed so far, I'd say Mexican, Brazilian and Argentine supporters are saving the competition. Some of the US stadiums look stunning – such as Nashville or Miami to name two. Imagine LCFC taking part in this tournament at one point, you'd love to see it!

Now watch him sign for RB Leipzig.

Some great matchups and matches (judging by the highlights), just a pity there's hardly any audience in the stadiums. Sergio Ramos now playing in Mexico has completely passed me by.

Oh, Canada... The curse for the Canuck teams continues. What a shame. Montréal, Ottawa, Trohno, Winnipeg. Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver – you're such letdowns.

German national team celebrating 125 years of DFB.

Florian Wirtz going to Liverpool – for £116m. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cpw742nre1go Scandalously high fee. Good on Leverkusen, though.