World Cup 2006

[The_One]

Germany is looking a pretty hot team

Not sure I agree with that. Their strikers haven't even begun to perform yet. The defence still looks weak despite not being seriously tested. Spain and the Czechs have played the best stuff so far. Germany are good at building momentum though. They were poor in 2002 and still got to the final. Winning under pressure seems to be a habit for them. Shame England can't say the same. As you say, Spain have a tasty squad.

[R3L!K]

What you say is true, but I think home advantage may take them far.

I can understand why the German press is playing mind games with the English squad too. I think they know we are more than capable of humiliating them - maybe hoping to provoke a red card for Becks?

[Cenotaph]

I'm enjoying germany, they certainly are not the team they were in, lets say, early 90's, but i just love the way how they are alwyas focusing on the goal, every shot they take is dangerous.

Spain did well, but its... Spain. They always seem to play great but eventually they fail at some point and i don't think this time is going to be different. although i wouldnt mind seeing "nuestros hermanos" having some luck this time.

England shouldnt have a hard time against Trinidad, but anyway, im curious to see how Trinidad can perform after a surprising start.

I'm also curious to see if Sweden can recover from their dissapointing opening match and become a squad to be reckoned with.

[The_One]

I hope Germany get to at least the quarters (unless we meet them first). It's always good for a tournament for the host nation to do well. Having said that, what would the German public see as "doing well"? Are the quarter-finals good enough? How far do they expect to get with this team?

As for England, I wish Sven had tried out some more formations before the cup started. Gerrard and Lampard have never worked well together in the middle. We're the only team in the tournament who plays all attacking midfielders. Surely a holding player can't be a bad idea (see Nicky Butt in 2002. He was great for us that year.)? Our biggest hurdle is a mental one though. Still, should roll over T&T (if we don't, I despair).

edit: maybe spoke too soon about the fans behaviour. Seems like it all kicked off before the Germany v Poland game:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5081684.stm

Hopefully we won't see any more.

[BunnyS]

Yeah see, sadly a few idiots ruin it for the rest of em. On a more positive note :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5081230.stm

Also I can't wait for the match

[DavidM]

german public would be dissapointed about the quarter final.
semi might be ok, and final is good.

but in the end it always depends on how you play and who you played against.
if you player superb, but lose, its way better than just playing shit and losing

[Messy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5081230.stm

Awww

[BunnyS]

Yeah some fans are still feeling the <3

Sort of refering to what David just said , it's one thing I am pleased about with Englands first game. Sure they were on poor form, but for a team on bad form they still won They can only get better right ? !!

[Messy]

POO is constantly on bad form and they still tend to win

[BunnyS]

Who the hell ? lol

I think if England were ever to have high chances of success ... now is their time! o/

[DavidM]

POO! you don't know em? awww
we even have an official fanboy

[The_One]

Congrats Ecuador! Only need a draw to top the group now.

[GoldenGun]

http://www.svenswmwette.com

I hope you already know this site!

[kewangji]

goal 4 england?

[The_One]

You beauty! The last half hour was much more like it. I was getting very worried. Lennon changed the game for me. The T&T defenders couldn't just stand there and head balls away. They actually had to commit defenders, which made space for others. Great ball in for Crouch (thank God he made up for that miss) by Becks (thought he was a bit poor up to that point) and a fantastic strike by Gerrard.