After marvelling at Lionesses, Lions, Alcaraz and McIlroy, attention returns to English football and its cynicism
T
he Community Shield marks beginnings and ends. Here come nine months of Premier League hopes and fears. Even if the eventual fate awaiting a team can become crystal clear as early as the opening weekend, there can be no backward glances. This means more, as the modern cliche goes. Many are happy to live by those words.
Regrettably, club football’s return also means the sun setting on a brilliant summer of sport, the closing of an ever-narrower window. Only the truly afflicted are not glad of the respite. The close season, as it was previously termed, lowers the cortisol, regulates the serotonin levels until it’s time to go again. The Club World Cup was not too much of a diversion, despite Gianni Infantino’s best efforts and corralling of Donald Trump, a month of unlovable fare that desperately searched for authenticity via its blaring, high-contrast cocktail of celebrity and Saudi Arabian money.
England’s modern-classic 25-day Test series with India, a British & Irish Lions rugby union tour to restore faith in the tradition, the emotions of Rory McIlroy’s Royal Portrush homecoming at the Open, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz playing out two thrilling grand slam tennis finals, both male and female versions of the Tour de France and, most of all, the rollercoaster ride the Lionesses took England on to defend their Euros crown. All have offered welcome relief from the Premier League’s self-important yet irresistible charms.
