Last word (from me) on the World Cup 2010

SEVEN FIFA fatcats who are accused of destroying England's World Cup bid are named and shamed by The Sun.

The executive committee members are said to have indicated to our bid team they could be relied on to pick England to host the 2018 championship just hours before the crucial vote.

The fatcats are:

• Vice president Jack Warner
• America's Chuck Blazer
• Guatemala's Rafael Salguero
• Korea's Chung Mong-Joon
• Cyprus's Marios Lefkaritis
• Turkey's Senes Erzik and
• Ivory Coast's Jacques Anouma 

Each of the seven is said to have indicated their vote was in the bag. It is claimed Warner even put his arm around Wills and told him: "You can rely on me." But in the early hours of Thursday a team of FIFA delegates met with Russia's campaign team at a Zurich hotel.

And in a secret ballot at FIFA's Zurich HQ hours later, England got just two of the 22 votes - neither of which came from the seven. After a second round of voting, FIFA chief Sepp Blatter announced the 2018 World Cup would go to Russia.

The person I admire most in this whole fiasco is the acting head of English football Roger Burden who announced he is QUITTING because he refuses to deal with the stitch-up merchants of FIFA.

Off with their heads! Or into the Stocks

England's failed footballers should count themselves lucky that their ignominious World Cup exit was met with little more than a public mauling by the media.

Their counterparts from North Korea, who lost all three of their group games, have been subjected to a six-hour excoriation for "betraying" the communist nation's ideological struggle, according to reports.

Last month the players were summoned to an auditorium at the working people's culture palace in Pyongyang, forced onstage and subjected to a six-hour barrage of criticism for their poor performances in South Africa.

I know I said the World Cup comments were over, but, this was too good to miss.

World Cup Memories

They Think its all over…….

1. Greens howler of a save in the group stages
2. The Vuvuzela noise
3. Ghana’s last kick penalty miss
4. Only one goal from England in the group games
5. Ronaldo’s big spit at the camera
6. Empty seats at some big games
7. The ‘goal’ that never was for England v Germany.
8. Germany beating Argentina 4-0 (bye bye Hand of God)
9. Not many outstanding games
10. My pathetic tipping

It is now.

World Cup Final 2010 – Match Report

Andres Iniesta struck a dramatic winner late in extra time to give Spain World Cup glory for the first time but condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final.

Spain, who conceded only two goals during the tournament, deserved their victory after gradually taking a grip on a tense and bad-tempered contest that produced 14 yellow cards with Johnny Heitinga sent off on 109 minutes after picking up a second yellow card.

They had a glorious chance to take the lead in the second half but Arjen Robben, could find no way past Spain captain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos was equally culpable of a glaring miss for Spain when he headed over and substitute Fabregas, as with Robben before him, also failed to convert a one-on-one chance.

But apart from that I can only remember the constant fouling, the bickering and the showing of the yellow cards and a dismal first 45 minutes. Howard Webb, I thought had a good game under very trying circumstances.

Spain also became the team to win the World Cup having scored the fewest number of goals - finding the net eight times in their seven matches. The previous mark was held by three teams, including England in 1966. But that final eas a cliff hanger not like this one.

World Cup Final 2010 - Preview

Tonight, 19:30 UK time, 20:30 Spanish time, the World Cup final will take place and the winner, in my opinion will be Spain. But what do I know?
I am expecting a good open game with more than one goal and no extra time and penalties. Not expecting much am I

Spain are getting stronger each game while Holland are the Mr consistent of this World Cup. Having lived in the Netherlands and attended football games in Den Haag (the Millwall of Holland) I know the fans are great supporters and will be behind the team. Living now in Spain I know first hand how much this World Cup win would mean to them and the fireworks displays will be something to watch.

However, it is all about the players and I feel Spain have the stronger squad and the flair players and although Holland have some strong players and a fantastic team mentality, I am putting flair above this team mentality. Spain to win.

England Team reach World Cup Final

Howard Webb of England will referee the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, soccer governing body FIFA said in a statement.

Webb will be assisted by countrymen Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey for the July 11 match at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

World Cup Week 4

Best Player of the week: Schweinsteiger
Best Team of the week: Germany
Best Howler of the week: The last kick of the match penalty by Ghana
Most annoying thing: The noise from the Vuvuzelas
Best Coverage overall: BBC
Best Anchorman: Adrian Childs, just
Best Match to Watch: Netherlands v Brazil
Worst Match to Watch: Ghana v Uruguay (I had Ghana in a sweep)

Achtung Baby!

I was busy yesterday, doing urbanisation committee things, so I could not write this till today. The day before the semi final between Germany and Spain. The villa opposite was suddenly occupied by Germans. They immediately stated their intentions.
 
They raised the Fussball flag at the top of the stairs and claimed it for Germany. Nobody on the urbanisation is Spanish, but, they got a few looks from the Brits. All in good fun.

Here is the flag in close up. However, it does not fly proudly after last nights defeat it has been folded up ready for the next World Cup!

Thats two semi finals called correctly!

Tip Rubbish

Before the World Cup started, I tipped, England (a heart pick), Brazil or Spain to win the world Cup.
A week to go and only one left!

I could not tip rubbish! So my tips now are:

Uraguay v Holland semi final with Holland winning
Germany v Spain semi final with Spain winning.

Germany v Uraguay runners up match with Germany winning

Spain v Holland final with Spain winning


But what do I know?

Vuvuzelas

This is what all the noise is about in the World Cup. During the games from South Africa you can clearly hear them. They sound like bees or very angry flies.
I hate the noise they make.
God help anyone who brings them to any Liverpool game that I attend next season.

World Cup Week 3

Best Player of the week: Tevez
Best Team of the week: Argentina
Best Howler of the week: England “goal” that never was
Most annoying thing: The noise from the Vuvuzelas
Best Coverage overall: BBC
Best Anchorman: Gary Linaker
Best Match to Watch: Slovakia v Italy.
Worst Match to Watch: England v Germany for obvious reasons

England v Germany Match Report

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Beaten by a better side, even taking into account the ‘goal that never was’.
The best team moves on and we get the millionaires, who play football for a living, but can't produce a decent footballing performance in 4 games, back to England.
Lucky to be second in our group, a group we should have won, never producing a worthwhile performance in this world cup. All the players but especially Gerrard, Lampard, Terry and Rooney should be ashamed that they did not do better. No excuses, apologise to the supporters.
The bar I was in was rocking and at the end very disappointed, if this was mirrored around the world, there are lots of dejected Brits this morning. Aplogise please!

England v Germany Match Preview

This world Cup is like World War II. The French and the Italians surrendered early, the USA are coming in late and England are fighting the Germans.
I can see this going either way (fence sitting is my new sport!), but please not penalties.
I expect a 4-4-2 formation with the team that started against Slovenia. However, I would go for 4-2-3-1 with Rooney up front, Gerrard behind him and Joe Cole and Milner playing in Midfield. No changes in defence. But then I am not Capello.
I want England playing like its a Premier League game. Press this young German side, give them no time and hopefully show no mercy. We owe them big time. So now lets do it!

World Cup Week 2

Best Player of the week: Messi

Best Team of the week: Portugal

Best Howler of the week: France not qualifying

Most annoying thing: The noise from the Vuvuzelas

Best Coverage overall: BBC

Best Anchorman: Colin Murray

Best Match to Watch: Portugal v N. Korea (closely followed by S. Africa v France. Lol)

Worst Match to Watch: England v Algeria

England v Slovenia match report

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So they did it. And now its Germany on Sunday, I was on a flight back to Spain when the match was on (dont ask!), so I have only seen the highlights. They looked better than in the previous two games, which isn't difficult, but now the real test begins.

I am sure they would rather play Ghana than Germany in the last 16, but hey, I was carking it after Algeria so lets hope this new confidence and spirit prevails. 

 

England v Slovenia match preview

The qualification should have been assured by now by but it's not. I am sitting here this morning thinking "what am I gong to write? what do I think will happen? who will play? what formation?"

Here a the bare facts.

If England beat Slovenia they qualify.
If England win and USA win, England must win by a bigger margin to get top spot.
A draw, proberbly means elimination, unless its a high scoring draw and the USA/Algerian game is a low scoring draw. However, if Englands draw is two goals higher than that involving the USA lots are drawn.
Dont mess about lads just win it...............please. Gulp.

World Cup Week 1

Best Player of the week: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Best Team of the week: Germany

Best Howler of the week: Robert Green (England)

Most annoying thing: The noise from the Vuvuzelas

Best Coverage overall: BBC

Best Anchorman: Adrian Childs

Best Match to Watch: Germany v Australia

Worst Match to Watch: Algeria v Slovenia (close contender Japan v Cameroon)

England v Algeria match report

 

   
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WHAT THE ******* HELL WAS THAT!
The England players get paid over £1,000,000 A WEEK, and all they could dish up was a messy, mish mash of kick about football.
It was pathetic. The fans quite correctly booed them off. If the players dont like it tough, it was what that performance deserved. I have never seen a more abject England performance. Words fail me.......  

England v Algeria match preview

                  
This on paper should be the easiest game of the group but many a slip between ……

Again a strong team to steam roll the Algerians with them fading in the second half. If we dominate as expected and get a few (three) early goals he may rest some of his first team players and give others a chance. But please more than 5 minutes!

The defence just need to concentrate and not let the Algerians get a view of the goal never mind a shot on target. I am expecting a clean sheet and a good result 3-0.

Rob Green - Apology: your having a laugh

I was sitting there after the Germany/Australia game when ITV did a quick post mortem on the England/USA game.
In it Rob Green came on and said things like: “I know I will get abuse over this but I am big enough to take it on the chin. just bring it on, let it come I can take it.”
What I expected was something along the lines of “Sorry, big mistake, I hope all the fans can forgive me, I will never let this happen again.”
Arrogant bugger. I hope you never get selected again!