The Kick Project

An interesting stat to come out of the women's World Cup, currently underway in Germany, is that possession is not a guarantee to winning. While the Barca-ball-hogging style has become something many leading men's teams will be seeking to emulate in the coming northern seasons, let's not forget that winning football tactics are those that fit the team they are supposed to organise. To me Barca's style is quite simple: basically pass the ball incessently to draw defences out of shape and then give it to Messi to wreak havoc in the gaps. But not everyone has a Messi. Good to see the women's game has the courage to devise its own shapes and structures to suit the women's game and the players of each team. One of the reasons I like watching it and one of the reasons I believe women should be allowed access to the men's professional game.

It's not really our thing to show open support for any specific club, but we here at KP have a real soft spot for FC Barcelona. As a football business they tend to run counter to the prevailing model for big clubs and emphasise community, fair play and youth development in their culture, often over profits and economic bottom lines. The European Championship final was in some ways, therefore, a contest between the big business and limited ownership approach of Man Utd and Barca's more integrated, community-based and socially conscious model. I know which one I prefer. So, big congrats to all at Barca for a fine achievement, managed in the best spirit of the game and in the interests of football fans the world over. Perhaps they will inspire other big teams to adopt their joyful and soulful approach to the beautiful game.