Here’s what Mesut Ozil does during the international break
- Published
How would you kill the time if you made a rumoured £350,000 a week?
Who says international breaks have to be boring? The nonsense of the UEFA Nations League coupled with the brilliance of Non-League Day, provided plenty of highlights this weekend. Did anyone even miss the Premier League?
1) Ozil’s Fortnite record
Since retiring from international action after the World Cup, Mesut Ozil now finds himself with some extra down time during the season.
So how does the Arsenal playmaker take advantage of this new space in his calendar? The same way the rest of us do - playing video games.
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Imagine logging on to Fortnite to realise that you were playing against Mesut Ozil. No one would believe you.
2) #IWasThere
Will Jadon Sancho making his international debut in a behind-closed-doors Nations League clash with Croatia mean he will continue to develop without all of the hype, or will it just add to his mystique?
3) What’s in a name?
Roberto Mancini called up Udinese striker Kevin Lasagna last week as Italy took on Ukraine and Poland.
Yes, you read that right. Kevin. Lasagna. It’s a delicious prospect.
4) The true non-league experience
It’s fitting that in the week of Non-League Day, we were given one of the most non-league things to have ever happened.
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For what it’s worth, Dulwich goalkeeper Preston Edwards tried to explain what had happened.
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5) Rome is just very south Glasgow
Even Italian giants Roma got in on the act for Non-League Day, throwing their support behind Glasgow side Saint Anthony’s.
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So how did it work out for lads from Govan? Pretty well, actually.
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6) Run, run, run as fast as you can…
Nothing clever to say about this one. Just wanted to make sure we aren't the only ones having nightmares about it.
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7. Who says sportsmanship is dead?
What do you do when the other team stops playing to allow one of your injured team-mates to get treatment? If you’re Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick, the answer is obviously: nick the ball and run in on goal for a one-on-one with the keeper.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, if you’re the kind of person who charges your friends 10p when they ask for one of your chips), Hendrick fluffed his lines and shot wide of the Danish goal.
Or maybe he was just making extra sure they got the ball back.
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8. Playing favourites
You know how your parents promised they love you and all your siblings equally but let your younger brother away with everything?
They got there in the end, though.
9) State of play in Scotland
Scottish football update: it’s still not fun to be a Scotland fan.
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10) Sing when you’re winning
Robbie Williams has gone from performing at the World Cup opening ceremony to full-on football hipster in just a few months.
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11) Bolt bags a brace
Usain Bolt scored twice in his first start as a professional footballer, but the quality of the opposition left some people rather unimpressed.
The Jamaican scored in a pre-season clash with invitational side Macarthur South West United, made up of players from the second tier of Australian football.
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12) The ultimate question: gravy on chips?
It’s a yes from me, Clive.
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