Surely it's Englands turn to win...........?
OK...back to reality.

I am an England fan. I know I have a serious 'problem' with my typically 'unrealistic' opinion that England will win every tournament that they enter?

But, as Austrlia and Wales have failed to qualify for 'The Greatest Show on Earth' (absolutely NOI, as always George and Temp ), I have taken it upon myself to post this starter so that anyone on FT has the opportunity to discuss/review/take the mick......../comisserate/hang thier heads in shame/.........and generally 'discuss' the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea.

1230 gmt Friday 31st May 2002 - France v Senegal.

So......to review...........Any gossip/odds/opinion/scandal(plenty of that around with FIFA)/downright 'blind optimism' or 2002 World Cup information. Post it here.

(USA's first game is on the 5th June v Portugal)

I'll start with the 'official' World Cup site - Fifa2002 World Cup official site

As always, I'll leave it in your capable hands.

wez

[ June 05, 2002, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: wez ]

Do you know, I can't wait. This time we actually have the TV station that is broadcasting it and I fully expect to spend a bit of time watching it. I wonder if anyone is going to do a tipping contest so I can whip all your butts in that one too?

Actually I was serious ... like the one that we did for the college basketball or something. Templar is that possible?

Just had a thought ... Gtho? It will be SBS that is broadcasting the world cup, isn't it? or is it only on pay TV?

[ 04-06-2002, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Copago ]

Not often in the Stadium, folks!

BUT...if it's SOCCER...it's ME! Especially World Cup...takes over the entire house for a month! Old Man's Italian...son's a lifelong goalie (30)...daughter (18) plays in three leagues...geez...

I'll keep an eye in here...

Not too bright about the "tipping contests" though...

I'll be giving England my full support, even if it means waking up around 6am to watch the games. Anyway, The F.A. are asking people to sign a flag online that will be going to the World Cup and you also get put into a draw to win 2 tickets to the event. Here it is:

http://flag.thefa.com/

I am England thru and thru and they always get my unwavering support.

Good luck to all the lads who go out there.

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

53 DAYS 16 HOURS and 52 MINUTES.....................................

he he, nice one SS, just signed the flag and had a look around it. You'll have to tell me yer flag No......

Good to see our 'colonial' cousins Jill and lefois in here. I trust England can count on your full support ladies??????

(I speak as one who was cheering Oz on, at the crack of dawn, against Uruguay. Criminal they didn't get through!)

Looking forward to this by the way.........

Peter Hook and Keith Allen want David Beckham to rap on a remix of New Order's 1990 World Cup anthem.

The pair want to release a new version of World In Motion in time for this summer's tournament in Japan and South Korea.

A spokesperson for David Beckham says the England captain has yet to be approached about the project.

Hook told dance music site BurnItBlue: "Keith Allen's got a bee in his bonnet about getting Beckham to do the rap on World In Motion and doing the remix.

"I'd be up for that, I mean he's God isn't he?, Beckham. I've never seen a man deliver so much and remain human. Keith's still working on it, so I'm looking forward to that. I do hope it happens, it'd be great."

A spokesperson for Beckham, however, claimed not to have been approached about the project.

“We’ve not heard about it through this office, and it would have come through us,” he told the site.

World In Motion was originally recorded for the Italia 90 World Cup, and featured the rapping 'talents' of England midfielder John Barnes.

It reached number one in the UK singles chart.

Heaven help us!!!!!!!!!!!

wez

You got it Wez. Go the Poms.

quote:

---

I'd be up for that, I mean he's God isn't he?, Beckham.

---

Why are they so anxious to get Beckham for the song? Wasn't he the one that blew it for England last time and instantly became the most hated man in England?

Absolutely right wez, I didn't think that the foul was that bad either, although the red cad was the right decision. He was just making a gesture at retaliation, if he'd really wanted to he could have decked the other player.

He took the red card like a man and walked off without a word of dissent to the ref and has done a lot of growing up since then. It was the media as usual starting up the hatred campaign against him.

He's proved time and time again that he's worthy of his place in the team, and gives 100% until the final whistle. Who can ask of anything more from a player?

Flag No. 1346x 13y.

While Beckham got stick from the rest of the country it was the United fans who kept him going and supported him to the full. If it wasn't for the Stretford Enders I really don't think he would be where he is now.

Copago, a tipping comp for the World Cup would be a logistical nightmare, there are far too many games - I think there are 64 games in just under a month - now, a site like the one templar found would be real handy! The broadcasting rights are held by Channel 9, and they still haven't announced what games they'll be showing - the 3 definites are the Final and the two semis.

and the winner? .. as Australia have been eliminated rule Britannia!

I'm not a Man United fan S S, but I have to admire the way Becks dealt with all the pressure after this particular incident.

With Sir Alex's help he has matured and put the past behind him. One thing I have to say about United is that they know how look after their own, especially the impressionable newcomers. The whole regime of discipline and loyalty at Old Trafford helps to keep their feet firmly on the ground. I just wish it were so for many other clubs!!!!

However, I am an E N G L A N D fan, and I'll be shouting all the way!!!!!!!!

my god...the US is gonna get its rear handed to it by Portugal.

well, at least we aren't in the round of death.

maybe we can get lucky and beat up on S. Korea?

LA...........have faith mate.

The USA are more than capable of beating South Korea and Poland, on thier day. Portugal, on the other hand, are a different kettle of fish, although like thier nieghbours Spain, they do have a tendency to blow hot and cold in major tournaments.

Can't speak for many of your squad, but Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers) and Joe Max-Moore (Everton) are two 'tidy' players.

However, you can be proud of your womens's team, who, I think are the current World and Olympic champions?
(Don't really follow women's soccer, apart from the exchanging shirts at the end of the game )

Don't forget to watch USA's warm up match for WC2002 against Ireland in Dublin on the 17th. (Bound to be on ESPN????)

wez

Just heard on Sky Sports News that Johnathon Woodgate of Leeds Utd. is out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken jaw in an assault last night.

Speaking of which.........what does everyone think of Sven's decision not to pick Woodgate and Bowyer for the World Cup? (For those who are not aware, these 2 were recently acquitted of GBH on a young Asian student? in Leeds City centre about 2 years ago).

I for one, applaud his decision.

For starters, there are better players in thier positions in the Country and secondly they both play for Leeds

(Only joking on the second point George)

wez

the US men's soccer team has always performed quite poorly in the World Cup.
Sure, we're getting better, but we still suck.

I watched a game we had with Germany in Frankfurt and we lost 2-0, but the score could easily have been 7-0, if the Germans hadn't screwed up a few plays.

yeah, we do have some decent talent, but nothing great.
and I'm sure that the US boys playing across the sea look better because they are surrounded by phenomenal players.

Check out the Comps Forum to see a thread regarding a World Cup Tipping Comp !!

Sypher.........will defo visit that site soon. Just a fleeting visit tonight as I am still drowning my sorrows over the Argentinian 'conspiracy'!

I wanted to vent my spleen (ooer missus) and I felt that Sparky's 'must see' thread was a more appropriate place for my outpourings. (Thankya mate.)

Just off now to check out how many Argentinian players are in Bayer Leverkeusen's squad. Then to write letters to Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers to warn them!



wez

Now that Holland aren't there to break hearts again(they saved us all time by not bothering to qualify at all) I feel confident in giving an unbiased assessment on the World Cup. Who's going to win well I think it comes down to these teams. Argentina. France.
On the second tier
England. Brazil. Italy
and my smokey I've already outlayed some money on these guys Portugal.
Everybody else just enjoy the holiday.

LIving in Oz I enjoy pommie bashing as much as anyone but I gota say now may be their time. Assuming Beckham gets over his broken foot and it withstands any tackles it receives. The English wont be lacking supporters over there in the form of the Man U army that seems to have spread like the red plague of communism across the globe.
Go Wednesday!!

Nice one quo, you closet 'pom' you!

Holland........it's an age old question? If only they could get over thier infighting and minor quibbles, they could have been one of the greatest international teams of the last 30 years!

I agree.......France and Argentina( )are the sensible choice. Good bet with Portugal though. (i.e........good odds) but I fear they will always 'flatter to deceive'.

2nd tier.......England,Brazil,Italy?

Good call. Teams that usually do well in the second phase. (OK...I know........Brazil and Italy are multiple World Cup winners and England have only one it once.......er.......in England). Having said that, one player does not make a team! Whether Becks makes it to the World Cup or not, I am quietly confident.

(FIFA have agreed that players in the original named squads can be replaced right up until the eve of the tournament). Wow! FIFA doing England a favour?

wez
(A ManU 'communist')

he he.........Yep!

It's a disease me and thee suffer with every 2 years (well.......when we qualify )

wez

Any of you England fans willing to bet me on this -- The Republic of Ireland will progress further than England!

I do like a man with a Keane sense of humour.

I wish your team all the best - honest!!!

Check out Sypher's WC2002 fantasy football thread Terry, you can join the funtrivia minileague, as he says the more the merrier.

ps It's not absolutely compulsory to be an England supporter.

[ 04-13-2002, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: izzi ]

Gladly, Izzi, whatis web or email address?