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The Ball 2002 is kicked over the Great Wall of China on its way to Korea & Japan

Our Xiahe Internet Café

December 13th, 2012 by

A little background on how we maintained the blog in Xiahe.

The Journey to Xiahe

December 13th, 2012 by

Phil and Chris hope they’re on the right bus as they hurtle through the Chinese countryside.

Arrival in Lanzhou

December 13th, 2012 by

Confusion seems to rule the day as we look for the bus to Xiahe.

Train ride to Lanzhou

December 13th, 2012 by

We move on from the heat of the desert and look forward to meeting Rob in Lanzhou.

Reading the future

December 13th, 2012 by

Phil starts to make plans for what we could do if we ever actually reach World Cup.

A game in Turpan

December 13th, 2012 by

The Ball is involved in a hastily organised game at a school in the heat of Turpan.

Chinese Traffic Lights

December 13th, 2012 by

We became fascinated by the logic of Chinese crossroads.

Blogging the Taklamakan Desert

December 13th, 2012 by

2000 miles across “the desert of no return”? Easy!

Post-match dinner in Niye

December 13th, 2012 by

We celebrate Tim’s birthday in the best restaurant in town.

The Niye Game

December 13th, 2012 by

The Taklamakan Allstars appear as “The Rest of the World” to take on a team of local Uyghurs.

The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.