I’ve just been looking through the entire provisional squad lists (yes, they have to do it all again by the June 1st deadline) and spotted some unusual facts and figures. Hope you don’t mind me sharing them with you.
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
25/03/2010
The best World Cup semi-final?
As we all look forward to this year’s World Cup there is a natural tendency to glance backwards at the same time to admire the history of the tournament. With the exception of the final itself, the semis are amongst the most eagerly awaited matches. Let’s look at some classic World Cup semi-finals and see if we can choose the best.
03/03/2010
Is there anything interesting to say about the midweek international friendlies?
With 28 qualified nations in action last night (Tuesday) or tonight, including eight games between qualifiers and 12 others involving at least one team heading for South Africa, this is a good time to assess the usefulness of international friendlies. Is there really anything interesting to say about this week’s matches?
19/11/2009
Final World Cup 2010 qualifiers
So France, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Uruguay have all now qualified for next year’s World Cup Finals. Let the caterwauling begin...
“After a thrilling performance that promised for so long to deliver Irish soccer its most famous ever result, the chilly Parisian air was filled with rancour late last night after a disputed French goal cruelly ended Ireland’s hopes of playing in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.” Thus begins Ruadhan Mac Cormaic’s report for the Irish Times on a night when Thierry Henry’s self-confessed double handball was witnessed by millions watching on TV but inexplicably missed by the Swedish officials.
In fact Henry went one better than admitting he was at fault. According to one report the French striker gave the equivalent of the play to the whistle argument. He knew what had happened and didn’t care because the officials awarded his team the crucial goal.
Let’s leave the final word to manager Giovanni Trapattoni. The Italian had just watched his side take the game to the French and still lose. Understandably bitter, Trapattoni eventually accepted the result was fated to be. I’m not sure I would be quite so charitable, nor would I let the Irish forwards off the hook. In all the bluster this morning, hardly anyone mentions the second half chances missed by Keane and Duff. Had either put away their chances the Irish would now be heading for South Africa.
Elsewhere, the biggest shock was Slovenia putting Russia out. Portugal won away in Bosnia to wrap up a 2 – 0 aggregate win. And Greece held on for a 1 – 0 away victory in the Ukraine, the result taking them through by the same aggregate score line. Find out more here.
So now we know who the 32 teams are. Bring on the World Cup Bafana Bafana draw pots predictor!
Pot 1 (Hosts and seeds)
South Africa
Argentina
Brazil
England
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Pot 2 (Rest of UEFA)
Denmark
Greece
Portugal
Slovenia
Serbia
Slovakia
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Pot 3 (AFC + Concacaf)
Australia
Ghana
Honduras
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
South Korea
USA
Pot 4 (CAF + rest of Conmebol)
Cameroon
Chile
Uruguay
Algeria
Ivory Coast
North Korea
Nigeria
Paraguay
None of the European teams in Pot 2 are mugs. Pot 3 and 4 teams will be up for the challenge and ready to ambush anyone who doesn’t take them seriously, especially the African sides. This could be the most competitive World Cup finals ever.
“After a thrilling performance that promised for so long to deliver Irish soccer its most famous ever result, the chilly Parisian air was filled with rancour late last night after a disputed French goal cruelly ended Ireland’s hopes of playing in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.” Thus begins Ruadhan Mac Cormaic’s report for the Irish Times on a night when Thierry Henry’s self-confessed double handball was witnessed by millions watching on TV but inexplicably missed by the Swedish officials.
In fact Henry went one better than admitting he was at fault. According to one report the French striker gave the equivalent of the play to the whistle argument. He knew what had happened and didn’t care because the officials awarded his team the crucial goal.
Let’s leave the final word to manager Giovanni Trapattoni. The Italian had just watched his side take the game to the French and still lose. Understandably bitter, Trapattoni eventually accepted the result was fated to be. I’m not sure I would be quite so charitable, nor would I let the Irish forwards off the hook. In all the bluster this morning, hardly anyone mentions the second half chances missed by Keane and Duff. Had either put away their chances the Irish would now be heading for South Africa.
Elsewhere, the biggest shock was Slovenia putting Russia out. Portugal won away in Bosnia to wrap up a 2 – 0 aggregate win. And Greece held on for a 1 – 0 away victory in the Ukraine, the result taking them through by the same aggregate score line. Find out more here.
So now we know who the 32 teams are. Bring on the World Cup Bafana Bafana draw pots predictor!
Pot 1 (Hosts and seeds)
South Africa
Argentina
Brazil
England
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Pot 2 (Rest of UEFA)
Denmark
Greece
Portugal
Slovenia
Serbia
Slovakia
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Pot 3 (AFC + Concacaf)
Australia
Ghana
Honduras
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
South Korea
USA
Pot 4 (CAF + rest of Conmebol)
Cameroon
Chile
Uruguay
Algeria
Ivory Coast
North Korea
Nigeria
Paraguay
None of the European teams in Pot 2 are mugs. Pot 3 and 4 teams will be up for the challenge and ready to ambush anyone who doesn’t take them seriously, especially the African sides. This could be the most competitive World Cup finals ever.
17/09/2009
Speculation about likely World Cup bases
A Reuters report out today about World Cup bases makes for interesting reading, not least because some of the teams mentioned haven’t yet qualified and may not even do so.
According to this report France, Sweden and Paraguay have set up coastal bases, despite the South Americans being the only one of the three to have secured qualification.
The French have apparently booked a facility on the southern Cape coast. Coach Raymond Domenech must be thinking the play offs are an inconvenient but easily surmountable barrier.
Other teams looking ahead include Sweden, who have booked in at Durban, and Argentina, Germany, Italy, Mexico and the USA, who have all booked hotels or guest lodges in Pretoria.
Japan and Switzerland are heading for Johannesburg. Japan have already qualified, but the Swiss may not make even make the play offs.
England will allegedly be based at Sun City, although Fabio Capello and his team will probably wait for the draw in December before deciding on the location of their base for the tournament.
According to this report France, Sweden and Paraguay have set up coastal bases, despite the South Americans being the only one of the three to have secured qualification.
The French have apparently booked a facility on the southern Cape coast. Coach Raymond Domenech must be thinking the play offs are an inconvenient but easily surmountable barrier.
Other teams looking ahead include Sweden, who have booked in at Durban, and Argentina, Germany, Italy, Mexico and the USA, who have all booked hotels or guest lodges in Pretoria.
Japan and Switzerland are heading for Johannesburg. Japan have already qualified, but the Swiss may not make even make the play offs.
England will allegedly be based at Sun City, although Fabio Capello and his team will probably wait for the draw in December before deciding on the location of their base for the tournament.
Costa Rica announces new coach
Rene Simoes is the new national coach of Costa Rica.
The 56-year-old Brazilian takes over from Rodrigo Kenton who was sacked earlier this week after a three-game losing streak put Costa Rica’s World Cup qualifying chances in jeopardy.
Simoes managed Jamaica from 1994 – 2000 and took them to the World Cup in France in 1998.
He also led the Brazil women's national football team to silver medal spot at the 2004 Olympics, and has coached Trinidad and Tobago, the Iran under-23 side, and Portuguese club side Vitoria.
A second brief spell with Jamaica ended in September 2008 after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign.
Simoes became the manager of Fluminense in October 2008. They sacked him in March 2009.
He then became manager of Coritiba but moved on again in August.
It remains to be seen whether his stay with Costa Rica is any more successful.
The 56-year-old Brazilian takes over from Rodrigo Kenton who was sacked earlier this week after a three-game losing streak put Costa Rica’s World Cup qualifying chances in jeopardy.
Simoes managed Jamaica from 1994 – 2000 and took them to the World Cup in France in 1998.
He also led the Brazil women's national football team to silver medal spot at the 2004 Olympics, and has coached Trinidad and Tobago, the Iran under-23 side, and Portuguese club side Vitoria.
A second brief spell with Jamaica ended in September 2008 after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign.
Simoes became the manager of Fluminense in October 2008. They sacked him in March 2009.
He then became manager of Coritiba but moved on again in August.
It remains to be seen whether his stay with Costa Rica is any more successful.
06/09/2009
Maradona admits “I might need more than the Hand of God now”
Argentina have lost 3 – 1 at home to Brazil. The result means their chances of automatic qualification for South Africa 2010 are now in considerable doubt.
By contrast, Brazil have officially qualified, and deservedly so. They will soon be followed by Spain, who battered Belgium 5 – 0 and will probably give Estonia a kicking on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, there was cause for rejoicing on both sides of the border as Northern Ireland and the Republic secured wins. Both now have a great chance of at least making the play-offs.
In Group 1 Sweden have renewed hope of a place in the finals after a 2 – 1 victory in Hungary.
Switzerland beat Greece and now look in control of Group 2.
France are officially rubbish – unless they beat Serbia this week.
Scotland must avoid defeat against Holland on Wednesday. If they don’t, their best hope is for Norway and Macedonia to draw in Oslo.
As expected, Croatia overcame Belarus. Now they must beat England at Wembley to have any chance of automatic qualification.
Reports that Cameroon brought Roger Miller out of retirement are of course untrue. Whatever the cause, if they repeat yesterday’s 2 – 0 victory over Gabon against the same opposition on Wednesday evening, they’ll be dancing in the streets of Yaounde.
And if the Ivory Coast don't qualify from their group now, we can expect a ridiculous conspiracy theory from Didier Drogba within hours.
The North, Central America and Caribbean group is still up for grabs after wins for the USA, Honduras and Mexico.
That’s the qualification stuff over and done with for now. Now for the important stuff - inventing quotes from Maradona which hark back to this infamous Hand of God goal against England in 1986.
Quizzed by reporters after the loss against Brazil the legendary No. 10 may or may not have said “I might need more than the Hand of God now”.
He may or may not have gone on to say “I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing.”
And finally, there is of course some doubt about whether Maradona actually said “I’m genuinely sorry about that incident. It should never have happened and I probably deserved to be booked or even sent off. Of course the second one was a belter, so I’d prefer to talk about that if you don’t mind.”
Somehow I can’t see that happening...
By contrast, Brazil have officially qualified, and deservedly so. They will soon be followed by Spain, who battered Belgium 5 – 0 and will probably give Estonia a kicking on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, there was cause for rejoicing on both sides of the border as Northern Ireland and the Republic secured wins. Both now have a great chance of at least making the play-offs.
In Group 1 Sweden have renewed hope of a place in the finals after a 2 – 1 victory in Hungary.
Switzerland beat Greece and now look in control of Group 2.
France are officially rubbish – unless they beat Serbia this week.
Scotland must avoid defeat against Holland on Wednesday. If they don’t, their best hope is for Norway and Macedonia to draw in Oslo.
As expected, Croatia overcame Belarus. Now they must beat England at Wembley to have any chance of automatic qualification.
Reports that Cameroon brought Roger Miller out of retirement are of course untrue. Whatever the cause, if they repeat yesterday’s 2 – 0 victory over Gabon against the same opposition on Wednesday evening, they’ll be dancing in the streets of Yaounde.
And if the Ivory Coast don't qualify from their group now, we can expect a ridiculous conspiracy theory from Didier Drogba within hours.
The North, Central America and Caribbean group is still up for grabs after wins for the USA, Honduras and Mexico.
That’s the qualification stuff over and done with for now. Now for the important stuff - inventing quotes from Maradona which hark back to this infamous Hand of God goal against England in 1986.
Quizzed by reporters after the loss against Brazil the legendary No. 10 may or may not have said “I might need more than the Hand of God now”.
He may or may not have gone on to say “I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing.”
And finally, there is of course some doubt about whether Maradona actually said “I’m genuinely sorry about that incident. It should never have happened and I probably deserved to be booked or even sent off. Of course the second one was a belter, so I’d prefer to talk about that if you don’t mind.”
Somehow I can’t see that happening...
30/08/2009
Biting nails, baiting the French, and looking away as Keane misses (again)
Continuing the look ahead to next month's World Cup qualifiers
Europe: Group Six
Free scoring England have 26 goals and 21 points to their name after 7 wins from 7 games. So why am I still biting my nails? Because Croatia can still get 23 points if they win their remaining three games, one of which is against England on September 9th. If the unthinkable were to happen and England were to draw their other two games, the group would be tied. Then the boffins at FIFA will scratch their heads before closely scrutinising the goal difference situation and wondering out loud why a bloke in England running an obscure footy blog was ever worried.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Ukraine - Andorra
Croatia - Belarus
September 9th
England - Croatia
Belarus - Ukraine
Andorra - Kazakhstan
Europe: Group Seven
If France beat Romania next month, the clash in Belgrade four days later will take on special significance. Beat Serbia and the French would jump into top spot on 19 points. Am I alone in thinking this would be a travesty? Les Bleus have scored eight goals and conceded six in their six qualifying games so far. They only beat the Faroe Islands 1 – 0 and, by some accounts, could have lost. This is hardly the France of Platini, Tigana and Giresse; of Henry, Vieira and Zidane. Sad but true.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Austria - Faroe Islands
France - Romania
September 9th
Faroe Islands - Lithuania
Romania - Austria
Serbia - France
Europe: Group Eight
Only one point separates the top two, so this group could still be up for grabs if The Republic of Ireland actually starts winning games. Over to you, Robbie Keane. Three wins and four draws have seen them cling on to Italy’s tatty coat tails, but somehow you feel this form won’t be good enough to secure an automatic place. That said, if they can’t beat Montenegro or Bulgaria, should the Republic be going to South Africa anyway? Watch out for the (possible) crunch game between the Irish and the Italians on October 10th in Dublin.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Bulgaria - Montenegro
Cyprus - Republic of Ireland
Georgia - Italy
September 9th
Montenegro - Cyprus
Italy - Bulgaria
Europe: Group Six
Free scoring England have 26 goals and 21 points to their name after 7 wins from 7 games. So why am I still biting my nails? Because Croatia can still get 23 points if they win their remaining three games, one of which is against England on September 9th. If the unthinkable were to happen and England were to draw their other two games, the group would be tied. Then the boffins at FIFA will scratch their heads before closely scrutinising the goal difference situation and wondering out loud why a bloke in England running an obscure footy blog was ever worried.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Ukraine - Andorra
Croatia - Belarus
September 9th
England - Croatia
Belarus - Ukraine
Andorra - Kazakhstan
Europe: Group Seven
If France beat Romania next month, the clash in Belgrade four days later will take on special significance. Beat Serbia and the French would jump into top spot on 19 points. Am I alone in thinking this would be a travesty? Les Bleus have scored eight goals and conceded six in their six qualifying games so far. They only beat the Faroe Islands 1 – 0 and, by some accounts, could have lost. This is hardly the France of Platini, Tigana and Giresse; of Henry, Vieira and Zidane. Sad but true.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Austria - Faroe Islands
France - Romania
September 9th
Faroe Islands - Lithuania
Romania - Austria
Serbia - France
Europe: Group Eight
Only one point separates the top two, so this group could still be up for grabs if The Republic of Ireland actually starts winning games. Over to you, Robbie Keane. Three wins and four draws have seen them cling on to Italy’s tatty coat tails, but somehow you feel this form won’t be good enough to secure an automatic place. That said, if they can’t beat Montenegro or Bulgaria, should the Republic be going to South Africa anyway? Watch out for the (possible) crunch game between the Irish and the Italians on October 10th in Dublin.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Bulgaria - Montenegro
Cyprus - Republic of Ireland
Georgia - Italy
September 9th
Montenegro - Cyprus
Italy - Bulgaria
13/08/2009
Latest World Cup qualifying results
Spent some of last night ‘tweeting’ (2010bafbaf) goal news as it came in from around Europe. Discovered that if Croatia and Slovenia score around the same time, and one of the scorers has 17 letters in his name, you will run out of available space or 'characters' as Twitter fans call it. Lesson learned.
Europe
Group 3
Slovenia 5 San Marino 0
Group 4
Azerbaijan 0 Germany 2
Group 6
Belarus 1 Croatia 3
Group 7
Faroe Islands 0 France 1
Group 9
Norway 4 Scotland 0
North, Central America and Caribbean
Mexico 2 USA 1
Trinidad and Tobago 1 El Salvador 1
Honduras 4 Costa Rica 0
Costa Rica. What are you like?
Europe
Group 3
Slovenia 5 San Marino 0
Group 4
Azerbaijan 0 Germany 2
Group 6
Belarus 1 Croatia 3
Group 7
Faroe Islands 0 France 1
Group 9
Norway 4 Scotland 0
North, Central America and Caribbean
Mexico 2 USA 1
Trinidad and Tobago 1 El Salvador 1
Honduras 4 Costa Rica 0
Costa Rica. What are you like?
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