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.
Showing posts with label Sweden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweden. Show all posts
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...
24/08/2009
Looking ahead to World Cup qualifiers in September – Part 1
For the next twelve days World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010 takes an occasionally wry look at World Cup qualifying fixtures in early September. Well, I say “wry”; on Day 9 I might just have a belly laugh at the expense of our Scottish neighbours if the mood takes me.
Europe: Group One
Albania and Malta only have one game each left to play, so we can forget about them. Substitute nine for one in that sentence and you’d sum up how most pundits felt about the chances of either qualifying – ever.
This group is of course a four-horse race between Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and Sweden. All that could change when the next set of games take place on September 5th.
With 16 points now, the unbeaten Danes take on Portugal in Copenhagen knowing a win will leave Ronaldo’s mob ten points behind.
If Hungary beat Sweden on the same night they will go to 16 points, with the Swedes staying on nine. Portugal will probably then have to beat Hungary twice and hope the Magyars also lose against Denmark. Sweden, on the other hand, face the whipping boys in two of their remaining three games. Beat Hungary in Budapest and they might be in with a chance.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Denmark - Portugal
Hungary - Sweden
September 9th
Malta - Sweden
Albania - Denmark
Hungary - Portugal
Europe: Group One
Albania and Malta only have one game each left to play, so we can forget about them. Substitute nine for one in that sentence and you’d sum up how most pundits felt about the chances of either qualifying – ever.
This group is of course a four-horse race between Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and Sweden. All that could change when the next set of games take place on September 5th.
With 16 points now, the unbeaten Danes take on Portugal in Copenhagen knowing a win will leave Ronaldo’s mob ten points behind.
If Hungary beat Sweden on the same night they will go to 16 points, with the Swedes staying on nine. Portugal will probably then have to beat Hungary twice and hope the Magyars also lose against Denmark. Sweden, on the other hand, face the whipping boys in two of their remaining three games. Beat Hungary in Budapest and they might be in with a chance.
Forthcoming fixtures:
September 5th
Denmark - Portugal
Hungary - Sweden
September 9th
Malta - Sweden
Albania - Denmark
Hungary - Portugal
21/07/2009
The best World Cup goals
If it wasn’t for the pointless narcissism and erratic production values I’d petition the government to attach wires to the head of every adult in the UK and feed 24-hour YouTube coverage into their otherwise befuddled heads.
Obviously I can’t do this, so the next best thing to do is mention footy highlights I recently spotted on a blatantly transparent trawl. You may not agree with these choices, but here are some fantastic goals from the history of the world’s greatest sporting tournament:
Del Piero wraps up the semi against Germany with this extra time beauty in 2006. The other one wasn’t bad either.
Bergkampf’s winner against Argentina in 1998. Worth it for the commentary alone.
Owen takes his bow on the world stage.
The second one against England in 1986. The first is criminal, but this is still superb.
Gemmill for Scotland in 1978. I'll never tire seeing the locals lap this one up.
Gerd Muller and the second goal in the 74 final. Class from one of the greatest ever strikers.
Gerson’s screamer from the 1970 final. The last goal was brilliant showboating. This was genius, and looks even better from behind the goal.
1966 and all that. This one put England on the way to the final.
I’m sure I’ve missed a few, but this is all a matter of personal choice. And yes, I will get around to finding footage from earlier tournaments in Chile, Sweden, Switzerland and Brazil. Anyone looking for film from France (1938), Italy (1934) or Uruguay (1930) thinks I have too much time on my hands. Talking of which, here are some people who actually do have too much time on their hands:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uD1LLAbCMw
All hail the marvellous Sean Lock.
Obviously I can’t do this, so the next best thing to do is mention footy highlights I recently spotted on a blatantly transparent trawl. You may not agree with these choices, but here are some fantastic goals from the history of the world’s greatest sporting tournament:
Del Piero wraps up the semi against Germany with this extra time beauty in 2006. The other one wasn’t bad either.
Bergkampf’s winner against Argentina in 1998. Worth it for the commentary alone.
Owen takes his bow on the world stage.
The second one against England in 1986. The first is criminal, but this is still superb.
Gemmill for Scotland in 1978. I'll never tire seeing the locals lap this one up.
Gerd Muller and the second goal in the 74 final. Class from one of the greatest ever strikers.
Gerson’s screamer from the 1970 final. The last goal was brilliant showboating. This was genius, and looks even better from behind the goal.
1966 and all that. This one put England on the way to the final.
I’m sure I’ve missed a few, but this is all a matter of personal choice. And yes, I will get around to finding footage from earlier tournaments in Chile, Sweden, Switzerland and Brazil. Anyone looking for film from France (1938), Italy (1934) or Uruguay (1930) thinks I have too much time on my hands. Talking of which, here are some people who actually do have too much time on their hands:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uD1LLAbCMw
All hail the marvellous Sean Lock.
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