He's the "man of 1001 facets," a strange concoction of Serge Gainsbourg, Leonard Cohen and... Robbie Williams?

He's not for real, you know. Balla is just one of the alter-egos of Armando Teixeira, a producer and writer who's had an extremely productive and successful music career in Portugal. And varied: how does one get from industrial rock (Ik Mux, Bizarra Locomotiva), to experimental hip hop soundtracks a la Barry Adamson (Bulllet), to... Balla? It's intriguing, and a bit bizarre, and certainly fascinating.

At last, at last, he's got a proper website. Check out the press area, a very good English interview here. His new album "The Big Lie" (A Grande Mentira) was released 6th November.

This is the new single and video from Balla, who is fast approaching Mourinho as my favourite Portuguese man in the world.

And it just proves once again, that the Portuguese are a strange and masochistic people.

Glad that's all over now, I can get back to proper bird activities like making the tea and stuff.

Best Team Kit – Portugal. Mmmmmm... Port wine red and fresh green make lovely team kit.
Worst Team Kit – Italy. Sweat marks already built in, boys?
Most Handsome Player: tie: Figo & Zidane. Phoar!
Most in need of a hairband: Pablo Sorin, Argentina.
Best National Anthem – France
Best Fans – South Korea
Most pointless Qualification – Ukraine. If I wanted to watch paint dry, I would have done DIY instead of watch the World Cup
Are They Or Aren't They? An exited defender hugs his goalkeeper a bit too long...

Best Celebration - Wrestling mask, Ecuador.

The World Cup has been a grand display of world class football, as well as a sorry amount of theatrics. Often both, displayed by the same team. A reflection, here.

... for unwanted flags, courtesty of the BBC.

(Marco Van Basten looking sexy, Holland Vs. Portugal)

One of my girlfriends has complained that I’ve “widowed” her during World Cup. Which is slightly true, I guess.

“I only watch the World Cup games with attractive teams,” she sniffed. So, this special link is for her:

World Cup totty: sexy football stars we'd like to score with

(amusingly, Totti is on the "totty" list)

For real football commentary, you’d best go to BlogFC.