Category: Sports Bar
Okay all, I thought that as the World cup finals are rapidly looming up on the horizon that now may be a good time to attempt to spark some footy chat.
England have manage to qualify for the championships next year. Though it has to be said in not overly convincing fashion. A 1 nil victory yesterday against the Austrians courtesy of a first half Frank Lampard penalty, couple with the Netherlands beating the Czech Republic last night in Prague means that England are now guaranteed a place in the finals next summer even if they fail to beet Poland on Wednesday night. This is because they have now secured enough points in the group to be sure of taking one of the 2 places awarded to the best runners up in the European groups.
The question though is how good is this England side really? Undoubtedly they have the players good enough to win the World cup but does anybody out there, our wildly optimistic media aside, genuinely believe that England have the where with all to bring home the trophy?
I'd also like to hear from some of you others too. After all the United states are one of the nations that have already qualified for next years World cup finals. Is there any interest being taken at all in this fact though? Does anybody in the states really care how there team performs in the finals? Lets not forget they the US had a fantastic time in Japan 3 years ago making it all the way to the Semi finals.
The Other countries that have already qualified for next years tournament are: Germany, Argentina, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Brazil, Mexico, Angola, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Holland, Poland,
Croatia, Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Ecuador, and Paraguay with a further 8 places still up for grabs.
So which of the above nations are there to simply make up the numbers, and which are serious candidates for winning the World crown?
Lets have your thoughts people
soccer isn't a real sport, it's fuckin stupid
those are my thoughts
I was hoping to get some conversation going between genuine football fans. I don't really want this to turn into some pointless name calling exorcise. I attempted to put some thought into my opening post to start some sensible chat.
So does anybody have anything more constructive to offer?
I really think that if everyone is fit, and if England can settle on a way to play, that they don't continue to sit back on a lead like in previous championchips, then they have the tools to win. However I think it more likely that Argentina will take the prize. They've been rebuilding since their aweful showing in japan, they won the olympic tournament with a group of youngsters of which some are proving to be great players. That is where my money maybe. There is likely to be some small nation that sruprises as America did in Japan, and Was it Iraq did in the olympics.
Well it’s a difficult one to call. Reality is that we do have the talent in the england team to be able to make it, but we don’t have the right manager. Sven isn’t a man manager, if they’d sacked him when they had the opportunity maybe we would have a manager in by now who actually was an Englishman and who had the skills to be able to manage the team to the final. Sadly though I think that there are teams out there who are better than us, and most of those come from south America. We do have one added bonus though – none of the major African nations have qualified! South Africa, Cameroon, senagal and Nigeria have all failed to qualify, making way for some smaller African teams. Who knows how they will perform in the finals.
Hmmm, what a good board topic, may I first say. And a very well constructed one at that. Well, on to my opinion then. Hell no! There is not a chance in hell that England could win the world Cup! And I am a big sport and football fan, and as much as it pains me to see it, there just isn't a hope in hell. The whole way the international football scene is governed in this country is just so bad, that it would take a miracle! But then what do we expect? Would a Swede really want to take another country to win the world cup? I don't think so! I know I wouldn't be able to take a job wearing another country's colours and badge on my chest and honestly want them to win. But I'm incredibly patriotic! But that brings me to my main point, that it is an incredible shame that we have so much talent, and incredibly good players at that, yet the sistem is set in such a way that it is seemingly impossible to get the best out of them! It's like, we have some right little marvels that play in all sorts of positions, Beckham is a legend in the midfield, Rooney is awesome as a striker, and players like Joe Cole and Frank Lampard and Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand are brilliant, especially when playing for their clubs, but we just cannot function as a team. And that is something I think the FA and the system fail at in a big way. We have hardly any practice as an international team, which is due to the pressure of the premiership and other national leagues, but I think it is something which needs to be revised, as you really don't do anyone any favours, least of all the players themselves! The old cry is that too much time spent training internationally will knacker them for the domestic season, well it begs the question that 'would it be less knackering to practice more and work as a well oiled machine, rather than fight tooth and nail scraping your way through, to save on fatigue'? I don't know, but I do know that 'trial' formations should be saved for practice friendlys and not to experiment in real qualifying matches! For certain, in order to win the world cup, we have to work smoothly as a team (and find a decent goalkeeper). And that is something that really needs to be looked at! I hate the thought of going into a competition purely to make up the numbers and be out classed by better nations. We should go in and give the best account of ourselves we can, and show some true bulldog spirit and fight tooth and nail to bring that trophy home! And sadly, our players do... it's the system that makes it impossible for them to give a good account of themselves! That said... I know where my heart lies, even if my head thinks different... COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!
Claire, While I maybe agree that Sven isn't the man to do the job, but only because I really don't think he shows enough passion. I think he has it, even though he's not English, but he doesn't show it to the fans or the team. However, you made the point that we could have had an English manager who could have taken us to the final and won. Please tell me who? I think Bobby Robson is way to old, we know the Kegan is too chicken shit, and the rest aren't mature enough as managers. I think maybe the best of the lot at doing what he has with what he's got is maybe Steve Bruce, but I can't see him even being in the reckoning. Mcclarren isn't good enough though has done not bad at club level and with the under 21 team, but to me isn't ready. and While I'd love to see Brian Robson get his chance, I really can't see that happening either, so I don't believe there is an Englishman fit for the job.
I was just having a look threw some of the topics in the sports bar and came across this one that I had put up ages ago. Reading threw it though it struck me that it was high time that I included the full list of teams taking part in the tournament.
So here goes, every team, and better still all in there correct groups. Aren't I good to you all? lol.
GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden
GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland
GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic
GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo
GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
The tournament kicks off on the 9th of June in Munich with the hosts Germany facing Costa Rica. England's first game is the following day on the 10th when they face Paraguay in Frankfurt.
Other games to look out for during the first phase of matches include Argentina v Ivory Coast also on the 10th of June, Australia V Japan, USA v Czech Republic and Italy v Ghana all being played on Monday the 12th of June. The current holders Brazil get there defense of the title under way on the 13th of June in Berlin against Croatia.
Looking at those groups though I'm particularly struck by how difficult group C looks. It consists of Argentina, who were the first South-American side to qualify for the championships and whom are currently ranked 4 in the World: The Ivory Coast who qualified for the tournament top of a very tough African group which also contained the likes of Cameroon and Egypt. They have also just made it threw to the final of the African cup of nations at the time of posting: Holland whom qualified 5 points clear at the top of a group which included the likes of the Czech Republic and Romania. The Dutch are currently ranked as the World's third best team: last but certainly not least, Serbia & Montenegro. While they're unlikely to be gracing the final with there presents they shouldn't be taken lightly by any means. They currently have one of the best defenses in Europe conceding just one goal on there way to qualifying for the World cup finals. They also set a World record during that qualification campaign managing to keep 7 clean sheets in a row. They also beet the Spanish into second place in the group so they are a side that will definitely be approached with care.
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Well, I'm done for now. Any thoughts folks?
I'm not an expert on football, not to mention British football, but from what I read and heard, England certainly has the potential to win the world cup, if their support systems are in place, of course.
Something of great concern to me, is that, given South Africa's current string of bad performances, (including the fact that we didn't even qualify for the upcoming World cup, as well as our dismal performance in the African cup of Nations), how are we going to fare in 2010, when it is actually our turn to host the World cup?
We have had more coaches during the last couple of years than we have had people, captaining our national side.
So there's very little stability in our side.
It's a shame that sport administration ist to blame for dismal performances on the field.
Dan, I think England is still better than the German team. HOnestly, di doubt our team will win many matches. So, no worries.
The world what? were playing who?
lol
I understand that that was tongue in cheak Shawn, though sadly it does rather some up the American attitude to the World game! lol.
Ines I can certainly see why you'd have those fears for the German side, though let me remind you that 4 years ago in Japan nobody thought the German side was any good and yet, against all the odds, they made it all the way to the final of that tournemant. Don't stop dreaming, it can happen.
I have to agree there Dan. I was surprised myself. But they are not that good at all this year and I dobut they will get that far again. I mean we can have a bet who will get further, ENgland or Germany. Hee.
Woot! Go Iraq! lol hope they make it into the world Cup! :d
As it happens Ines that's quite an interesting challenge you've chucked up there given that we could well be meeting each other in the last 16. The winner from group "A" will meet the runner up from group "B" and visor versa and if you look at those groups, Germany and England are in groups "A" and "B" respectively. Given England's dreadful record against the Swedes over the last 30 years or so, we haven't managed a single win against them in that time, we could well be the runners up in group "B". Germany have, what can only be described as, one of the easier groups in the opening phase so they really should finish top.
In short, unless our fortunes change against the Swedes, and assuming that we can over come the mighty nations of Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, we will be faced with the juicy prospect of an England Germany match up for a place in the quarter finals of the tournament.
I accept your challenge though. Go England.
Right. Let's not hope that challenge wil lcause drama on here lol. Go Germany.
Hope the Three Lions can finally do something, but its going to be tough. Can't wait for the tournament to start, there could be some classics in the group stages like Germany v. Poland, England v. Sweden, Argentina v. Holland, Mexico v. Iran, US v. Italy, and South Korea v. Switzerland. And that's only the group stages!!! It's going to be a lot of fun!
I just don'T know what to think about the German team just now. Sometimes they are playing horrible matches and sometimes they are really good. They are not very stable. So I don't know - I still bet England will get further than Germany.
It will certainly be interesting to see how some of the lesser known nations do in this tournament. The standard of the level in African and Asian football over the last few years has gone up dramatically so it will be fascinating to see if the likes of Togo, Iran and Angola can emulate the achievements of Senegal from the 2002 World cup and upset some of the big boys..
If I'm being honest I'd have to say that Argentina would be my pick for the tournament. They seem to have a good balance in their squad over all, being both strong defensively as well as offensively. Of course it would be hard to discount Brazil in spite of the fact that they can look a bit defensively frail at times. They have after all won the World crown on no less than 5 occasions though for a historical note of caution it should be pointed out that Europe isn't their favourite hunting ground. Only one of their World cup victories has come on the European continent and that was back in 1958. Their last attempt on European soil ended with a farcical 3 nil defeat to the French in the final. A game from which I also have vague memories of Ronaldo suffering from a pre-match panic attack and going on to have what can only be described as an absolute shocker. Never the less they are the number 1 ranked side in the World, and have as much, if not more, attacking flair than any other country in the World and if they click, they're capable of beating any opposition.
From a personal view point nothing would give me more pleasure than to see England lift the trophy however I fear that injuries have done for our chances before the tournament has even got going. I'm not just talking about the obvious one either, namely losing Wayne Rooney to England's old nemesis the broken metatarsal bone in the foot, though of course that hasn't improved our chances any, but you also have to take into account the lack of football played by England's current most prolific striker, Michael Owen due to missing a large chunk of the season just passed threw injury. The same can be said of our best left back Ashley Cole who has also only just returned to first team action. Soul Campbell also has only just come back from a lengthy spell out on the side lines through injury. All in all, it really hasn't been a good build up to the tournament for the 3 lions, and that's before you even mention Sven-Goran Eriksson and the football association assisted debacle in the quest to find his successor. This was supposed to be England's best chance of claiming the ultimate prize in World football since 1966, yet I can't help but think that, thus far, it has been nothing more than an endless succession of bad luck and poor management. Perhaps this is just my natural English tendency toward cynicism and negativity coming to the fore here but I really can't see us having a great showing. All that said nobody would be more delighted than me if I were proved completely wrong in this so come on England.
what the hell was sven thinking with Theo Walcott??
Well, I, like many others, hadn't even heard of Theo Walcott until very recently. I did hear the story of his move to Arsenal because of the vast sums of money being paid for such a young player, that aside though, I know absolutely nothing about him. My initial reaction to his call up is one of bemusement. However when you start to look at Eriksson's options up front perhaps the decision starts to look a little less bizarre. The fact of the matter is that we simply don't have a lot of top quality fire power right now so what does Sven have to lose by taking a risk?
Anyway, working on the fairly reasonable assumption that nobody else knows anything about this young man either, I've found this article by Matthew Beard of the Independent paper in England which does at least shed some light on the matter. Incidentally my favourite part of the story is how Walcott found out about his call up, while in the middle of his drivers theory test!
I've got to post the article separately because it's too big to go into this post. Enjoy though. The article follows.
To much of the nation the name of the football prodigy Theo Walcott mayhave meant very little until yesterday. He has, after all, never played in the Premiership
and has been kept under wraps since he made a £12m move to Arsenal when he was barely out of his school uniform.
Lack of exposure will be the last of the 17-year-old's concerns now after Sven Goran Eriksson, the England coach, named the striker in his squad for next
month's World Cup in Germany.
Whether it is an act of desperation in the probable absence of the injured Wayne Rooney, or an inspired choice by Eriksson - bearing in mind he has never
even watched the youngster play a match - will be debated for weeks to come.
If he makes his debut in England's opening game against Paraguay on 10 June, he will beat Rooney by becoming the nation's youngest ever player, aged 17
years and 86 days. But whether or not he is picked for that game, his minimal celebrity status - which has resulted in him being recognised while out with
his girlfriend, Melanie - is about to go stratospheric.
Walcott has spent his formative years in Compton, near Newbury in Berkshire - an area with a rich horse-racing tradition but hardly a cradle of football
talent. He joined amateur football club Newbury in their Under-11 side, scoring a hat-trick in his first ever competitive game and in his first season
he scored 100 goals in 35 games with his fierce shot - which once broke the hand of a goalkeeper. He also had blistering pace and ran the 100 metres in
just 11.5 seconds when aged 14.
"He is a great talent. I have 23 players, why not take one gamble?" Eriksson said. "It's a big gamble, I know it is. I am excited to see him, he's a big
talent. And pace in football today is worth a lot."
The Swede has seen him train with Arsenal and his assistant Tord Grip has watched him play for the Arsenal under-21 side against an Irish youth side.
Walcott's agent, Colin Gordon, said the news had come as a shock. "He didn't find out very quickly, he was doing his theory test for his driving exam and
his dad was waiting for him in a local car park," Mr Gordon said. "[His dad] came out sprinting from the car to tell him the great news before he was accosted
by an Arsenal fan. His dad got a phone call from the FA and he also heard it on the radio in the car."
Asked what the teenager's reaction was, Mr Gordon told Sky Sports News: "He's still in shock. He was only expecting one decent result today. He did pass
his theory test, but there you go, he's got two." Gordon admitted a standby place had been "the most Theo could hope for" but does not expect the elevation
to the senior squad to faze him.
Walcott is the youngest of three children. His parents, father Don, an RAF civilian administrator, and midwife mother Lynne, have been tasked with keeping
their son's feet on the ground. A distant relative of the West Indies cricketer Sir Clyde Walcott, he is also a talented cricketer. "I was coming up to
11, I did not really have a clue how to play - I suppose it just came naturally," Walcott said recently. "I was a fast runner and they would put it over
the top and I would run on to it."
Walcott moved to Southampton FC at 11 after being impressed with the club's "family atmosphere". He was so excited at joining the club's academy that when
he was shown his room he broke the bed by jumping up and down on it.
He played for Southampton's youth side and for the reserve team, at the age of 15, against Watford. In the England Under-17 team, he scored five goals in
nine games.
He joined Arsenal in January for a £5m, rising to £12m, making him the most expensive 16-year-old in British football history, but was paid only £90 a week
until his 17th birthday on 16 March, when he was able to sign a professional contract.
The player says his family, who live in a £200,000 redbrick semi, will not let the attention go to his head. "I was always treated as the little brother,"
he said. "I owe my family everything. We've always been close and they've always made sacrifices for me."
After Rooney's World Cup hopes were dealt a blow a fortnight ago, he appeared on crutches and asked to be spared the media limelight so as he could recover
from a broken metatarsal. Thanks to Walcott, his plea has been answered.
Well, if Germany fucks it up, then England is my second choise. Hehehe. No really, I don't think Germany will be good this year.
On reflection Chengb, I find myself more inclined to agree with your sentiment over the selection of young Walcott. Not for a second you understand do I question his ability. I happen to think that Arsene Wenger is possibly the most astute manager in the Premier league right now, especially when it comes to sniffing out quality youngsters. Indeed the likes of Patrick Viera, Thierry Henry and more recently Cesc Fabregas weren't household names until Wenger spied them. Never the less, Theo Walcott's inclusion to the England squad does take a bit of explaining. consider these facts. Of the top 15 goal scorers this season in the Premiership only 5 of them are English and you can discount one of those because he is a mid fielder, namely Frank Lampard who netted 16 times for Chelsea. The other 4 are, Charlton's Darren Bent with 18 goals, Man United's Wayne Rooney with 16, West ham's Marlon Harewood with 14 and Everton's James Beattie who only just scraped into the top 15 with 10 goals this campaign..
Of course the one salient point that really stands out when you consider the four strikers outlined above is that of the four named, only one is actually going to the tournament, Wayne Rooney, and he only goes with the smallest of chances of playing due to currently being encumbered with a broken foot! Perhaps even more bizarrely, none of the other 3 strikers have even merited a stand by place. We have two strikers on stand by at the moment, Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and, get this, Andrew Johnson of Crystal Palace! A player who has actually scored less goals this season than Darren Bent, from more matches, at a lower level! Now I'd be the first to admit that Bent's performances have hardly set the international stage on fire, never the less, I'd have thought that the goals he has scored, at the level he's scored them, would have given him a more important roll for this summers World cup championships than that of a spectator.
I'll not argue with the inclusions of either Michael Owen or Peter crouch. Michael Owen is a proven goal scorer and even though he won't go fully match fit, I understand that he couldn't be left out. Crouch needs to get more goals without question, that said his aerial presents really can intimidate opponent defences, just look at the panic it caused the Argentines in England's recent 3-2 victory when he came on off the bench to change the game. However, Rooney at best will be back for the latter stages of the tournament, assuming we make it that far and so surely can't justify his selection, and Walcott simply has no experience at all. Not even at Premiership level never mind international level. Personally I'd have taken Darren Bent along, and if any risks have to be taken where strikers are concerned Marlon Harewood. He's had a really good season with West Ham, has got a few goals under his belt and has the kind of pace that can unsettle defences.
I'm done bitching for the time being! Any thoughts people? Apart from the obvious thought that, Dan talks shit all the time!
Hmm, interesting discussions. Despite England always having been my favorite team (or amongst them) I have to say the outlook is bleak and I'm not expecting them to make it past quarter finals, same goes for Portugal, who have been one of my fav teams and, at times, showed pure brilliance but somehow never managed to pull it together completely, although hopefully losing twice to Grease in the Euro Cup taught them a lesson.
As for surprises I think Paraguy will be a tough opponent for England's opener and, over-all I would not be surprised to see Togo and the U.S. make it further than people think, I think Argentine or Brazil most likely to take the world cup home though, but I would not entirely under estimate Holland either, good team. I just hope the Italians will be beaten since their team has always been dreadfully boring (well since 1990) more busy with faking injuries and "fishing" than playing football and crying about it afterwards.
Well, I don't expect Germany to get far. One really good player was not selected, and that was their death. Lol I really doubt they will get far. As for Argentine and Brazil, I agree, they will fight for the cup.