Another Sad Day for Soccer

Well as it is time for my Sunday Sport post, I should really come up with some excuse for my team losing 3-2 at Swansea yesterday but all I'll say is well played to them they deserved to win and at present they deserve to top the division (6 points in front of us). A long way to May though and we are only at the half way point.

However yesterdays results look somewhat insignificant considering yesterdays tragic event at the Motherwell match up in Scotland. Motherwells captain 35 year old Phil O'Donnell collapsed and died on the pitch. I don't know too much about the player, I believe he represented Scotland once but as a true sports fan my thoughts go to his Family, friends and supporters of his Club.

RIP Phil

Football Songs

As I didn't do a Sport Sunday or Music Monday this week I thought I'd put the two together.

Many British Football Clubs have their own anthems that they will always be associated with. Well the following are what I reckon are the best three far supperior to what other clubs can offer.

Have a watch and listen and some of you that don't know English Football will see the passion that fans have for their Clubs.

Obviously "Marching on Together" is the best but Liverpools "You'll never walk alone" and West Hams "Blowing Bubbles" are good, what do you think ?

So Americans don't like Soccer

So England didn't make the world cup final but that wasn't going to stop me watching this match while I was in the states. The day of the Final was my last in Chicago so I decided to watch Italy versus France in my favorite Pub "Fado".

As a soccer fan I just can't be neutral so I decided I was going to support Italy in the final and thought it would not be right to wear my England shirt. So when I got up in the morning I choose rather than wear a National shirt I would wear my Club colours the uniform of the mighty whites.

Now kick off was not while 1pm Chicago time so I decided to go for a walk up Michigan Avenue in the morning and make my way to Fado's for about 12noon. To my amazement for the first time in the US I was seeing as many Soccer Shirts as Baseball shirts (even more surprising was that the White Sox were entertaining Boston Red Sox that day).

Eventually I made my way to Fado's and when I got there I was shocked there was a line of people 50metres long waiting to get in. As I made my way to the back of the queue assuming they were waiting to open I remember passing a group in Red scum (Manchester) shirts who seemed to glare at my White Gods top (we never get on) I was also surprised at the number of French supporters waving their flags.

Once in the queue it became apparent that it wasn't moving very quick so a girl in front of me went to find out what the problem was. She came back and said the pub was packed and it was one out one in. Now I realised most people will be in the pub to watch the final so wouldn't be moving so we had no chance, Fado's was closed due to crowd congestion.

So I moved on to "Rock Bottom" one block away to find the same problem a great long line of people trying to get in to watch the match.

I moved south a couple of blocks where I knew a sports bar "Mother Hubbards", now this is a baseball bar so I had my doubts. However they do have a lot of televisions and I thought they may show the match on one of the smaller screens, you can only ask.

When I opened the door I was amazed it was packed, the soccer was on, Italian and French flags (plus others) were everywhere. Luckily there was a spare seat at the bar and I ended up next to another Englishman from Oxford (not everyones perfect).

The atmosphere throughout the match was fantastic with a mix of all nationalities including many Americans totally absorbed.

The staff who were not expecting this turned out worked their socks off keeping everyone supplied with food and drink (they were totally undermanned), extra time and penalties must have killed them. The girl working the bar on her own was smashing still managing a smile despite running around like an headless chicken, Baseball was never like this.

Anyway the match is now history with Italy winning the shoot out and Zidane becoming a national hero (the first uniformed Frenchman to win a fight since Napolean), what a idiot, must be related to Rooney.

From what I saw America is slowly starting to realise this is the world game and a sporting nation like them needs to get serious about it (3 billlion people world wide can't be wrong).

World Cup - Last Sixteen Complete

The real stuff now starts as the last 16 countries now play a knock out competition reaching its conclusion on July 9th.
It is now time for England to Unleash Aaron Lennon (seen above) upon the world, this boy is quick.

Group G :-
Spain 1 - 0 Saudi Arabia

Ukraine 1 - 0 Tunisia

Spain and Ukraine take their place, Saudi Arabia & Tunisia time to go.

Group H :-

France 2 - 0 Togo

Switzerland 2 - 0 South Korea

France & Switzerland book their places at exspense of South Korea & Togo

Draw for Last Sixteen

Germany v Sweden

Argentina v Mexico

Italy v Australia

Switzerland v Ukraine

England v Equador

Portugal v Holland

Brazil v Ghana

Spain v France

World Cup Latest - Goodbye USA

Group C -

Argentina 0 - 0 Holland

Ivory Coast 3 - 2 Serbia

Argies and Dutch qualify for Last 16 Ivory Coast & Sebia go home.

Group D -

Portugal 2 - 1 Mexico

Iran 1 - 1 Angola

Portugal win group but Mexico still qualify despite defeat, goodbye Iran & Angola.

Group E -

Czech Republic 0 - 2 Italy

Ghana 2 - 1 USA

Italy and Ghana qualify but dodgy referee decision sends USA home with fancied Czech's.

Group F -

Croatia 2 - 2 Australia

Japan 1 - 4 Brazil

The Boys from Brazil a joined by a part of the British Empire in the last 16, Croatia & Japan can pack their bags.

Tomorrow groups G & H will be decided and then its down to the knock out stage.

England march on just.

England 2 - 2 Sweden

A draw is good enough for England to top group "B" so its on to play Equador in the last sixteen in Stutgart. Bad news is Michael Owen was carried off on a stretcher in agony in the first minute (looks like knee ligament damage). Joe Cole gave us the lead and we looked good up to half time. Sweden came into the game and caused all sorts of problems at set pieces (sort it out Sven). They eventually scored from a corner due to slack marking. Rio Ferdinand limped off to be replaced by Sol Campbell so maybe another injury problem. Stephen Gerrard came on for a tiring Wayne Rooney (who threw his teddy out the cot) and it was Gerrard who put us in front with 6 minutes to go.

We couldn't hang on and more crap defending allowed the Swedes to equalise in the last minute.

Come on Sven wake up now is the time for Aaron Lennon.

Rest of Todays Results :-

Germany 3 - 0 Equador

The sausage eaters finish top after beating Equador reserves.

Costa Rica 1 - 2 Poland

Poles win at last in meaningless match so its bag packing time for both teams.

Trinadad & Tobago 0 - 2 Paraguay

Another two teams sign off to go home.

World Cup update

On my last World Cup post Modigli asked where I got the Photo's from, well the answer to that is on the BBC sport website, check it out :-
BBC Sport
I think some of the photo's of fans are great and show the spirit of the World Cup.
As I will be away after the group stage you can use this website to keep up to date if you are interested.

Switzerland 2 - 0 Togo

The Cuckoo clock makers have put themselves in with a great chance of reaching the last 16.

Ukraine 4 - 0 Saudi Arabia

Ukraine just too strong for the Arabs in this one sided match.

Spain 3 - 1 Tunisia

The spaniards come from behind to seal their place in the last 16.

The Samba Boys scrape through - France Flop again

Brazil 2 - 0 Australia

The Samba boys were made to look ordinary against a bunch of convicts for long periods of this game. But in the end they took their chances when the Aussies missed theirs but they need to improve on this showing.

Japan 0 - 0 Croatia

Japan held out for a surprise draw which leaves Croatia needing to win their last game against the Aussies to book their place in the last 16.

South Korea 1 - 1 France

Despite dominating most of the match and a goal from Thierry Henry France allow the Koreans to snatch a late equaliser which leaves them with it all to do in their last match.

Well done USA (and Ghana)

Italy 1 - 1 USA

To all my blogging friends in the USA your soccer team did you proud tonight holding the mighty Italians to a 1-1 draw despite having two men sent off. Ok Italy also had a man sent off but it was nine versus ten for a long time and your boys ran their socks off. In fact they could consider themselves unfortunate to only draw as they had a goal disallowed and a good appeal for a penalty.

The result gives them a chance of getting through if they win their last match against Ghana and Italy beat the Czech Republic they are through, I hope so.

Ghana 2 - 0 Czech Republic

Ghana have given themselves a great chance of reaching the last 16 with this shock result against one of the fancied sides. Watching the match they could have scored more.

Portugal 2 - 0 Iran

No shocks here, Portugal guarentee a place in the last 16. Him that looks like a ferret from the scummers scored a penalty after Figo cheated with a dive.

Dutch and Argies march into last 16

Argentina 6 - 0 Serbia

You can only say this team is the most impressive so far, but they still can't have the Falklands back.

Holland 2 - 1

The men in Orange are through, good team but as usual it won't be long before they start arguing amongst each other.

Mexico 0 - 0 Angola

Good draw for the Africans, great match from their goalie.

Note - USA versus Italy tomorrow it may soon be time to pack the bags.

Last Sixteen here we come

England 2 - 0 Trinadad & Tobago

Yes England are through to the last sixteen with a game to spare following two late goals from Peter Crouch and Stephen Gerrard. The match looked to be heading for a stalemate until Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon came off the bench to liven it up. Come on Sven you must start with these boys.

Equador 3 - 0 Costa Rica

Equador also qualified for the last 16 with a match to spare with an impressive win.

Sweden 1 - 0 Paraguay

Late goal gives Sweden important 3 points (Paraguay start packing). So Tuesday's showdown between England and Sweden will decide who tops the group.

One round of matches over

Spain 4 - 0 Ukraine

Big win for spaniards but its about time they performed in the world cup.

Saudi Arabia 2 - 2 Tunisia

Entertaining draw between the teams from the desert.

Germany 1 - 0 Poland

Last minute goal ensures host nation get to the last 16. Time to start packing your bags Poland.

The Story so far :-

Ok we have seen all the teams now and the most impressive so far in my opinion are Czech Republic, Argentina, Italy, Spain & Mexico. But please remember you don't win the World cup in the first round.

I think the fans from all the countries have been great and really colourfull, the predicted trouble between some nations fans as not materialised (yet). Apparently England has the largest travelling support with 100,000 making the trip to Germany. The majority can't get into the matches but watch on the big screens provided in the various cities. It is just one big party (wish I was there).

France Fire blanks - Brazil win just

South Korea 2 - 1 Togo

2002 semi finalists get off to winning start, but not surprising against outsiders Togo.

France 0 - 0 Switzerland

The French argue amongst themselves as they draw with the Swiss. Too many old players to be contenders.

Brazil 1 - 0 Croatia

Holders and favorites Brazil scrape single goal victory but Croatia look a decent team. Ronaldo looks slow, lazy and overweight but any team with Ronaldinho must have a good chance.

Oh dear USA

USA 0 - 3 Czech Republic

It was a dissapointing opening to the world cup for the USA when they were well and truly outclassed by the Czech Republic. Never mind only Italy next up (shit).

Australia 3 - 1 Japan

The convicts from down under came from 1-0 down to score three goals in last six minutes.

To Play later tonight :-

Italy v Ghana

Tomorrow :-

Brazil versus Croatia

France versus Switzerland

South Korea versus Togo

World Cup Update

Serbia 0 - 1 Holland

Good win for the Dutch in the group of death, Goal scored by Chelsea player Arjen Robben.

Mexoico 3 - 1 Iran

Impressive opening performance from the Mexicans could give some of the big boys a run for their money.

Angola 0 - 1 Portugal

Portugal's team of over the hill superstars struggle to beat Africa's weakest team. A least that prancing Scummer Cristiano Ronaldo didn't score (He did get booked and substituted Ha Ha).

Tomorrows Games (3 interseting matches) :-

Austalia v Japan

Italy v Ghana

USA v Czech Republic

Poor Performance but England are up and Running

ENGLAND 1 - 0 Paraguay

England scrapped a victory in their opening world cup match thanks to an own goal in the 4th minute. They will have to improve on this if they are going to win the trophy (but they will).

But performance isn't everthing its the result that matters and the points are in the bag.

Sweden 0 - 0 Trinadad & Tobago

In the other group B match the fancied Swedes played like turnips and looked like they couldn't score in a brothel. Hats off to outsiders Trinadad who had a plyer sent off so played a long time a man short.

Argentina 2 - 1 Ivory Coast

Good opening win for the Argies against the African Champions in the group of death. The best match so far in the tournament.

Tomorrows matches :-

Serbia v Holland

Mexico v Iran

Angola v Portugal

Three Lions on My Shirt

Today the greatest sporting event in the world starts and will last just over 4 weeks. The soccer World Cup finals after 4 years of qualifying we are down to the last 32 countries and yes England are there. Ok we only have ever won it once (1966) but the country is gripped with football fever.

Cars, houses are flying the George Cross (Englands flag) in anticipation of the coming victory.

The 32 countries are initially split into 8 groups of 4 with the top two from each qualifying for the knock out stage.

Today's matches are from Group "A" with Host nation Germany versus Costa Rica and Poland versus Equador (I reckon Germany and Poland should qualify from this section).

England start tommorrow in group "B"against Paraguay with Sweden and Trinadad making up the group.
(My tip England and Sweden but I wouldn't write off Paraguay).

The other groups (my tips in bold) are :-
C - Argentina, Ivory Coast, Holland & Serbia (tough group this)
D - Mexico, Iran, Angola & Portugal.
E - Italy , Ghana, USA & Czech Republic (2nd place too close to call but I hope USA can do it as they have a Leeds player Eddie Lewis in their squad, sorry I mean I love my American blogging friends).
F - Brazil, Croatia, Australia & Japan (but don't count the Aussies out if Viduka and Kewell perform).
G - France, Switzerland, South Korea & Togo.
H - Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia & Saudi Arabia (don't rule out a shock here though).

Come on England you can do it.