World Cup Review
After the mind-blowing number of upsets at the previous World Cup, the 2006 tournament - with the odd exception - saw football's established names rule once more. And, though defences ruled and there were a lack of enthralling matches, there is still much to remember from the 2006 World Cup - good and bad.
Amongst the furore surrounding Germany’s belated bloom and the invasion of England fans into the host nation, one set of players have come and gone with barely a whisper.
England's World Cup ended, inevitably, on penalties, though their performances throughout the tournament did not merit a last four place. Far too many of their hyped-up side failed to deliver, although the much-criticised Owen Hargreaves was superb against Portugal.
Sven: The unprecedented disasterSven Goran Eriksson’s reign has been a catastrophe from which a road of ruin remains and his belated buoyancy and arrogance does not shy emphasis away from a drowsy administration that provided minimal progress in terms of improving England’s resolve and mentality
Mike Martin presents the awards FIFA couldn't be bothered with, including a 'Scotland' award for a gallant first round elimination, the 'dying swan' award for worst diver and 'Clive Thomas' awards for the worst refereeing decision - so plenty to chose from then.
