Footballing World » World Cup Blog

Roll On August

Mike Martin — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:25:20 +0000

Mike Martin lists the ten words and phrases he hasn’t missed hearing since the World Cup finished…

1. Wags

2. Eriksson’s about to make a change

3. Our commentators are Mark Bright and…

4. Here’s Garth Crooks with the latest from Baden Baden

5. Nice trick from Cristiano Ronaldo… but he gives it away

6. What a waste there from Pauleta/Trézéguet/Ibrahimovic

7. Any references to (World Cup record goalscorer) Ronaldo’s waistline, ie “I Predict A Diet”

8. He’s gone down demanding the ball be put into touch

9. 1966

10. Wags

The ‘Golden Swede’ World Cup Awards 2006

Mike Martin — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:54:56 +0000

Mike Martin presents the awards FIFA couldn’t be bothered with…

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More needed from Les Blues for World Cup glory

Guest Writer — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:03:41 +0000

France will need to show more quality if they are to overcome a resilient Italy in the World Cup final, says Emmett Williams.

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World Cup 2006: Goals Of The Tournament

Mike Martin — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:01:53 +0000

Less than twenty-four hours after the BBC launched its Goal Of The Tournament competition in Euro 2004, Maniche curled one in from the corner of the penalty area against Holland. Despite this, Mike Martin hopes he is tempting fate in picking his Top 15 three days early.

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Brazil’s Loss Is Portugal’s Game

Mike Martin — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 20:33:39 +0000

Mike Martin on what Brazil lacked at World Cup 2006…

There is a lengthy soul-searching in Brazilian football since the national side were dumped out of the World Cup by France in Saturday’s Quarter Final.

There can be no doubt that Brazil have some of the finest forwards in the world - even the unfit Adriano and Ronaldo scored five between them - but, when Croatia and France set out to hold Brazil they found the task surprisingly easy.

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Ronaldo Must Join An Orderly Queue

Mike Martin — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 20:37:33 +0000

As the Liver Birds - sorry, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo - engage in mutual frowning, Mike Martin examines and evaluates the various Scapegoats (TM) for England’s previous exits…

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Eriksson, Pekerman Get It Wrong

Guest Writer — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 16:41:09 +0000

Coaching decisions end the World Cup dreams of England and Argentina as ambitions outway the reality, says Emmett Williams.

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English Pride Intact Despite Portugal’s Win

Mike Martin — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:47:45 +0000

Mike Martin on why Portugal’s progress continues to leave a sour taste in the mouth…

There’ll be an interesting conversation in a few weeks between Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and a certain Portuguese winger at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo has never been a particularly popular player in England, but his role in soliciting Wayne Rooney’s dismissal, coupled with his winning penalty, could result in him receiving a similar reception to David Beckham after the 1998 tournament in France.

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Round-up: Argentine presents ample chance for an excuse

Matthew Day — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:51:50 +0000

The news Horacio Elizondo will boss England’s quarter-final with Portugal is a relief to England’s players and fans who will have someone to blame if even a minor decision goes against the team.

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Henry’s time is now

Tim Wigmore — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 20:58:14 +0000

France confounded the critics by coming from behind to beat Spain; if Thierry Henry joins Zidane and Vieira in hitting top form, then beating Brazil is possible.

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