±«Óãtv

Get your facts right-a simple bit of research would have done the trick - in 1998 we beat Tunisia 2-0 and in 1990 we drew with Ireland 1-1.
Stopped looking for mistakes after that!

yes apologies, all correct now.

weeeeeeee bit harsh (the first comment) - BUT moving on I've got 2 thoughts on the new ball and long range goals:
1. AT every World Cup SOMEONE always say this one is going to result in MORE long range goals!
2. IF this ball is going to result in MORE long range goals who finishes TOP SCORER? Have a VOTE if you like:

BEEB - if any of you bloggers are able to do so ask Robbo what he will change to deal with the flying new ball.

Paraguay appears VERY dangerous to me. I've been looking past them and T&T since the draw was announced, but now I think we may have a very good game Saturday!

It depends which England turns up — the slick, pressing team that keeps the pressure and closes everything down, or the lacklustre "er, what am I meant to be doing" team that capitulates the moment presure is applied upon them.

We could win easily — or be embarrassed

I am already predicting an easy victory for Germany and Poland on the 9th of June 2006. I will also predict an easy victory for England on 10th June 2006. The first game between the Czech Republic and the USA will probably result in a victory for the Czech Republic after one equalizer.

Here in Miami, I just received my official papers from Univision making me Official World Cup Reporter for them. Univision has been dedicating all of their time to the World Cup [which would compensate for the ±«Óãtv not giving its US Listeners Coverage]. Let the World Cup Begin.

Roberto Carlos seems to give the opinion that the US is a World Cup free zone this year. Nothing can be farther from the truth! Every single game will be shown on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

I'm sooo in the second camp (the Paraguay 'not-a-push-over' camp). I think Paraguay will qualify from the group (at the expense of Sweden) and will show us what Latin-American possession football is all about.

(Hopefully this lesson will in turn make us realise how important a five-man midfield will be for when we play Portugal in the quarters and Brazil in the semis. You can let teams like this keep hold of the ball! You need to get down-and-dirty David Batty style!!!)

I envisage a first-game draw. And there's nowt wrong with that.

Paraguay are a dangerous team and it will be a tricky game considering its the first game of the tournament for both teams. There will be nerves from both sides. If Santa Cruz scores first then we'll be in for a cracking game.

Is anyone else concerned that England are very good when it comes to other teams playing an open and/or attacking game, but may have some dificulty when it comes to getting the ball off a team that wants to play 'keep ball'? It's just a niggling doubt I have as we get closer to kick off. If frustration sets in at not getting possession from a team that is happy to play out for a draw will our players lose their shape and discipline that has stood them in such good stead for the last few matches?

I don't think you can underestimate any team when it comes to an important tournament, it will partly come down to who wants it more (anyone remember watching Greece 2 years ago)

As an Englishman in Chicago, I have to disagree with Mike E. Sure, every game is being shown, but there's absolutely no build up, interest or water cooler talk. Having just decorated my office in England flags, 75% of my colleagues have asked me why?! Sorry mate, but the US just doesn't get it.

I totally agree with Karl James (post 10). You only have to remember our last half hour against Brazil in the last World Cup. They were 2-1 up, but a man down. Did we even have a shot on goal? No, cos we could not for the life of us get the ball off them.

We need to mercilessly break up the play of teams like this, and unless we do, we'll pay heavily.

(On the plus side, teams like Sweden and Germany should be a doddle to get past cos they can't keep possession for more than ten seconds either!)

I think all the teams qualified for the world cup have less difference among them in terms of quality so it can not be predicted the performance of a particular country like Paraguay just considering the previous records in the world cup. The anticipation of English fans is rounding up with getting the fitness of Rooney and English fans can relax as Rooney is now in the way of getting his full spirit.
It is another evidence of the popularity of football that fans do not want to miss the practice session of their favorite teams and players.
Thank you for your excellent article

I think all the teams qualified for the world cup have less difference among them in terms of quality so it can not be predicted the performance of a particular country like Paraguay just considering the previous records in the world cup. The anticipation of English fans is rounding up with getting the fitness of Rooney and English fans can relax as Rooney is now in the way of getting his full spirit.
It is another evidence of the popularity of football that fans do not want to miss the practice session of their favorite teams and players.
Thank you for your excellent article

I'm sort've in both camps in regards of Paraguay, whom no doubt Sky Sports News will do a "here's 10things u didn't know about paraguay facts" - anyway i expect us to beat Paraguay but at the same time i'm aware it will not be the pushover that some "England will Crush'erm Fans" will think.

In Santa Cruz and Valdez (of Bremen) they have 2 very good strikers who wouldn't let a Premiership side down.

They did qualify 3rd in there group, so i think that it will be Paraguay who will qualify 2nd in the group, probably repeating a 2nd round clash of 2002 against the "boring" Germans.

And Boys, Get Pratising Those Penalties...Crouchie Stick 2 Ur Dancing.

I think all the teams qualified for the world cup have less difference among them in terms of quality so it can not be predicted the performance of a particular country like Paraguay just considering the previous records in the world cup. The anticipation of English fans is rounding up with getting the fitness of Rooney and English fans can relax as Rooney is now in the way of getting his full spirit.
It is another evidence of the popularity of football that fans do not want to miss the practice session of their favorite teams and players.
Thank you for your excellent article

Considering our embarassing history in taking penalties, I sincerely hope the players are putting in as much devotion to practising them as they seem to do for inane, childish mimes after they have scored in meaningless friendlies. I would feel more tolerant toward such behaviour if it was occuring after having won the Final.

It's said we should never underestimate the importance of practising penalties. But I'm afraid its a bit more than that. To win a penalty shoot-out we need discipline, self-belief, arrogance and determination. That is how Germany is successful nine times out of ten. The England players kick a ball for a living and are paid a lot of money to do so. They are in a priviliged position to the envy of millions back home. A dead ball 12 yards from goal with only the keeper to beat - they should always hit the target and score at least nine times out of ten. Attitude. You don't get many chanes in a lifetime to win on such a stage.

I agree with post 12 although I am in Reno, Nevada.
I am currently waiting delivery of my wheelie bin England stickers and I cant wait to see the faces down my street when I wheel it out and leave it by the side of the road for four weeks.
I also strut around in a glorious tee shirt that announces "there is no S in FIFA"
Nobody has a clue what it means!!!

Richard's right on. The World Cup games may be showing on TV over here (USA) but I've not found more than a handful of Pittsburghers who give two hoots about the World Cup.

Quite frankly, nothing will change until Americans can work out that calling it 'soccer' is just not good enough... it's FOOTBALL (and how on earth is this American game of the same name, so titled? should be 'throw ball' - but that's another argument and I live in SuperBowl winning Steeler-ville, so will probably be shot if anyone reads these comments...!)

Whilst I dont think Paraguay will be a "push over". I do think we will get a win out of the game.
Paraguay will have problems with their strikers against, arguably one of, the best defenses in the World Cup. Roque has only just come back from injury, and will not be 100% match fit...and Cardozo (top striker in qualifying) has had to pull out of the tournement.
If England manage to keep their shape in midfield and get the right distribution to Crouch we should see a victory. The Paraguay defense and goalkeeper are not prepared for an arial battle, this will probably be the key to winning the game.

Thanks!!! Very nice site.I enjoy being here.