World Cup 2006

[lilbandit]

David Beckham retired as captain and probably will not play for England again. I read this morning that he had a knee injury (not sure if it was picked up in first half or before the game) followed by a discussion at half time and it was decided that he should play on based on the fact that he scored a free kick in a recent game. If this is true, it is the most bizarre setup I have ever heard of. "Discussion" at half time in a world cup quarter final?? It should be a quick word about changes if they need to be made and then a fire and brimstone rant to get the players ready to do battle for what could be their last match! England only started playing when Beckham went off!! I couldn't believe what I was watching. Team spirit, grit and hard running were typical English footballing traits that were brushed aside under Ericsson and Beckham.
I thought that England did enough to scrape a result but had Lennon started I think the game might have gone England's way. I also saw Sven Goran on Sky News saying that he was sorry and that he didn't think that they deserved to go home yet. If I was an English fan my blood would boil at that sort of comment. Looking at all of England's results in qualification, group and knockout stages how can he feel that England did enough to merit further progress? They just didn't play well enough and another penalty shootout defeat that could have been avoided now means that that yet another England team will shake at the prospect of another shootout in a couple of years at the Euros.

[reed]

bbloke, lilbandit, fryke & gang,

bbloke & "rosbifs", sorry for the defeat. I saw England vs France. Could have been fun. France is back together and on a run. You can not believe how so many supporters here were putting down Domenech and his tactics. Now they are putting on their blue jerseys again.Going with the wind for some. Brazil was a "Paper Tiger," Zidane/Henry/defence were in pretty good shape and there was an okay Referee.That was basically the match.They won it correctly.
Portugal has a lot of yellow cards and a couple of red ones. Zidane too. This will be the tough one, after Brazil.

If it is any consolation bbloke, the French commentator on Canal+ during the England vs Portugal match was very PRO England.Yes indeed. Even during penalties:
"Lampard never misses a penalty!!! Ohhh, Noooo!!!" Gerrard..."he never misses a penalty!!! Incredible!!!!" Carragher...... "never.... " etc. The Portugese fans here caught that. Try to figure that one out.
I stick with my prediction: France-Germany. French winning. Gulp.
That is, if the Italians don't make too much "cinema." or the ref. doesn't play their game.

Cheers all the same.

[Ferdinand]

France - Germany, I think Germany will win - tough team, really strong right now. About Italy, they will once again have their so-called "real" fouls during the game, but they will lose, exept if the ref is against them...
Ferdinand

PS: Even though I think Germany will win against France, it will be a tough game, but Zidane... not sure about Germany any more.

[fryke]

While I don't actually _believe_ in it much, I actually hope Italy will win against Germany, Portugal will win against France, and Portugal will finally beat the Italians in the final game. Portugal all the way. If only to let Scholari win and bring _some_ Brazil-game back into the World Cup. (No, I don't know what illusions are...)

[bbloke]

I'm hoping that Italy beat Germany and that France beat Portugal. After that, hmmm, I'm not sure who I prefer.

[bbloke]

reed and lilbandit: Thanks for the friendly comments. People here are obviously disappointed, but there are still a fair number of flags flying. It is comparatively recently that the English have felt it is OK to fly the flag (St. George's Cross), actually.

David Beckham is indeed stepping down as captain, and I have mixed feelings. I think he has done well over the years, and he certainly is a skillful player. In this tournament, however, he really has not been on form, although he did also play an important role on a small number of occasions... including scoring a goal!

Eriksson has brought mixed reactions. He has not filled me with confidence, and his style does not always seem to fit well with the English style, but I was surprised to learn he had the best record of any England manager. He did lead England to victory over Argentina (in the 2002 World Cup) and also was manager when England beat Germany 5-1 (in Germany). Then again... he was coach when England recently lost 2-1 to Northern Ireland (!), so it is hard to know what to make of it all!

England only started to show their proper character in their final match when Rooney was sent off and when Beckham was off the pitch, it's true. Hopefully it was a coincidence (i.e. that Beckham and Rooney were not holding England back somehow), or that it was simply England coming out fighting when the chips were down.

Other issues aside, England just never really caught fire and didn't play well enough. They underachieved, basically; they did not play like we know they could, and the nation is left asking itself why. People are questioning the formations, the management, the captain, the choice of the squad, the injuries and fitness levels, the media, and the abilities of the players (and all English players vs. Continental players in general). I hope a witchhunt won't ensue, it would be more helpful to just know where we've been going so wrong for years. Like I said before, I think Spain and The Netherlands are two other nations who sadly don't quite manage to do as well as they should.

Mmmmmm:

World Cup 1990: Semi-Finals, lost to Germany on penalties
Euro 1996: Semi-Finals, lost to Germany on penalties
World Cup 1998: Round 2, lost to Argentina on penalties
(World Cup 2002: Quarter-Finals, OK, lost to Brazil "normally")
Euro 2004: Quarter-Finals, lost to Portugal on penalties
World Cup 2006: Quarter-Finals, lost to Portugal on penalties

This is getting annoying!

[mw84]

Aslong as Portugal get knocked out at the first possible opportunity I'll be happy. Ronaldo picking up an injury along the way would add to that glee, obviously.

[lilbandit]

Ronaldo will surely leave Manchester United now? Apparently Rooney tried to get into the Portuguese dressing room after the match to 'Talk' to him!!