Pre-FIFA World Cup Thread!!!

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by azzarish

Robinson
Neville Ferdinand Terry A. Cole
Hargreaves
Beckham Lampard J. Cole
Gerrard
Owen

Nice. That's what I've got too..........

[sadora]

I think that Eriksson is the only one who believes in Hargreaves, granted the media are no judges to go by as fas as a players skills, but having seen Hargreaves play against Hungary he seemed to be playing a very weak game. He came in on the second half as I'm sure he will as well on June 10th. The situation that Eriksson has to deal with, in having two players that he's not 100% about, is just to let one play in the first and the other one in the second and see who makes the biggest difference.

[KevanGuy]

Im not a big Hargreaves fan at all but I agree with Jagger. I dont think Carragher is right for the holding mid position. So...what can you do.

My starting 11...

..............Robinson
Neville...Ferdinand..Terry..A. Cole
.....Hargreaves............Lampard
.Beckham.......................... J. Cole
..................Gerrard
...................Owen

And in related news....

Midfielder Frank Lampard has jumped to Sven-Goran Eriksson's defence as the England coach continues to experiment tactically ahead of the World Cup. Eriksson has been criticised for using Jamie Carragher and Owen Hargreaves as midfield holding players.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...nd/5039564.stm

[Jagger]

I guess that Michael Carrick is an option in that holding role too as he has certainly played well for Spurs this season. He would definitely be worth a look anyway.

[azzarish]

Now we hear that Eriksson is going back to the 4-4-2 system against Jamaica, playing Crouch upfront with Owen. Which means there is no place for Hargreaves and the midfield just fills itself with Lampard, Cole, Gerrard and Beckham. Which team will start on the 10th is still up in the air IMO. I have a feeling Eriksson may start with the formation from the Hungary game, meaning Crouch will come off the bench. So who is that holding midfielder? Still Carragher?

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by sadora

I think that Eriksson is the only one who believes in Hargreaves, granted the media are no judges to go by as fas as a players skills, but having seen Hargreaves play against Hungary he seemed to be playing a very weak game. He came in on the second half as I'm sure he will as well on June 10th.

I really think Hargreaves hasn't had a decent enough run in the side for him to make an impact. This would be the tournament to play him in a more prolonged role, with Rooney out injured. If it doesn't happen you have to question whether he will ever become a regular in the side, and as you say Eriksson believes in him, but McLaren may not.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Well things here in Germany are getting pretty crazy as Deutschland's first game is this Friday vs. Costa Rica in Munich. I am going to Munich to watch the game in the main square where they are putting up multiple big screens for people to watch. They are doing the same in here in Stuttgart but we thought it would be cool to see the game in Munich and then go to Munich's version of the Red Mile if the Germans can win this Friday.

Everywhere you go here all you see is Michael Ballack plastered all over the billboards and advertisements. There is a huge clock in downtown Stuttgart counting down the seconds to the opening match which is this Friday I believe. All the gift shops here are loaded with World Cup stuff, and I have spent a whole lot of money buying stuff to take home in Calgary when my semester in Stuttgart is over.

Talking to a lot of the locals here they all seem to think that Brazil has this one pretty much locked up. A few here seem discouraged and have already thrown in the towel.

Ever since I bought my German soccer jersey, I am now going to cheer for Germany from now until the end of time so LETS GO DEUTSCHLAND!!!!!!

Oh and Go Canes Go!!!

[troutman]

I get to Germany on Saturday (Frankfurt) and I'm going right to Koblenz. I think we'll be watching the England game on the banks of the Mosel and Rhine at a beer garden.

Next day to Koln, to watch Portugal and Angola at the Fan Fest.

[azzarish]

2 days to go, I can barely wait.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by fotze

Does anyone know what channels in Calgary we will be able to see these games? Do we see all of them?

Sportsnet and TSN are showing all 64 games live and in HD. This is a first because usually for the third game of the group phase, since the games are played at the same time, they network had to pick the better one. Now, we have a choice. Thats awesome news. Here's the broadcast schedule:

http://soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca/tv/

[azzarish]

Rooney has been passed fit to play in the World Cup.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...nd/5057514.stm

I know there are no gimee's in the World Cup but I would expect England to win their group barring some disasterous performace, which means Rooney will play in the 2nd round. Which therefore means their chances have just increased, not dramatically as some people would think, but by about 10-15% I would say. To have a weapon like Rooney in the latter rounds just made them dangerous.

[Footscray]

Canada's men's world cup team manager leaves today to coach the LA Galaxy. Pretty key hiring coming up for our program and chances of making the next world cup.
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/index.asp


Also French striker Cisse breaks his leg horribly and is out for the WC, opening the door for Pires or Anelka.
http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/a...sse+out+of+cup

[FurnaceFace]

Another link on Cisse.

http://soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca/news_...7&hubName=main

It looked really ugly, compound fracture similar to Joe Theisman. Also a blow to Liverpool as it could be a long recovery.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I'm a little jealous of those of you that get to be in Germany during the WC.

Have a great time, and have a beer for me. Should be blast.

[KevanGuy]

I just saw the replay of the Cisse injury. I cannot believe it happened to him again. I think hes a great player and I was really looking forward to seeing him (as long as it wasnt against England). I just cannot believe that he snapped his other leg! That is just unreal. I almost feel sick to my stomach.

For those that dont know, the EXACT same thing happened to him last year in the Prem and there was fear that he would never play again. Just unreal.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Another link on Cisse.

It looked really ugly, compound fracture similar to Joe Theisman. Also a blow to Liverpool as it could be a long recovery.

You're more right than you probably know as rumour was that Liverpool were looking to offload Cisse very soon to help fund some major purchases in the summer. Don't know what will happen with regards to that now.

I feel so very sorry for the lad. He's had absolutely no luck whatsoever.

[josef]

everybody who is in germany pm´me if you have interest meeting me
(maybe we can work something out...)

[Scrambler]

Sweden - England on June 20 is gonna be one of the best goup games I think. Although it's a long shot, I'm pulling for the Swedes to go all the way!

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Footscray

Canada's men's world cup team manager leaves today to coach the LA Galaxy. Pretty key hiring coming up for our program and chances of making the next world cup.
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/index.asp

I only wish that was possible. The Canadian temas of the past 10 years have shown some signs of improvement (Gold Cup victory..) and making it to the WC but they always fall flat.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I only wish that was possible. The Canadian temas of the past 10 years have shown some signs of improvement (Gold Cup victory..) and making it to the WC but they always fall flat.

Surely we should be better than Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago.