BS: Football World Cup 2006

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 07:17 PM

What seems to have been lost is the whole point of these cards is to prevent and deter cynical, intentional and dangerous fouls from being committed in the first place. And this does not work and along with the official also struggling with the offside rules - threatens to make a fine game into a mockery.

For in practice it now works that - the two yellow cards are actually giving permission for players to commit one bad foul. In fact, this is really permission for all the players to commit two bad intentional fouls - as the first one will not usually receive a card at all. How often do you see a player who has just cynically decided to foul another - hold up their hand to the referee to indicate that it was only their first one?

The idea should be that a defender who knows they can only stop an attacking player by fouling them - should always know and be prepared to face the consequences of them deciding to commit that foul. At the moment - the odds of them getting away with such actions - encourages them to take the chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 07:24 PM

It does often seem to happen that a dodgy or plain wrong decision that favours one side is balanced later in the game by a similarly dodgy decisison the other way. Is this inexorable Karma, or do referees deliberately try to balance things out and restore some kind of rough justice?

And are they sometimes affected, when it comes to things like failing to give a red card, by a reluctance to spoil what promises to be an outstandingly good game? Which would have been the result tonight.

I know it isn't the same thing, but I can imagine a situation of musicians getting yellow and ultimately red cards for playing bum notes. That wouldn't be the best way to get good music.

There is a case for saying that a referee has a responsibility to help ensure that a good and enjoyable match takes place, and should have some limited freedom to adjust the strict interpretation of the rules to achieve that end.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 03:12 AM

the red hot poker up the bum school of counselling to help them confront their aggressive behaviour patterns

English fans attack German fans leaving the grounds after their victory this afternoon. Scenes of children running screaming to the chants of a World War Two victory over Germany and other abusive remarks.

Banning them from the City Centre will allow them to continue their activities and since most grounds seem to be outside City Centres that is likely to be the scene of them. Putting them in jail for the duration of the World Cup won´t.

I am not interested in trying to cure their behaviour whilst they are in Germany since it is not a German problem, just keeping them and their "aggressive behaviour patterns" away from decent law-abiding citizens, especially children.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 03:19 AM

For many years the scum have had nothing more to fear than being held for twenty four hours and then put on a plane home. If they were treated as the common criminals they are, they could be put out of reach for long enough to make the rest of us safe for a long time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 03:32 AM

For many years the scum have had nothing more to fear than being held for twenty four hours and then put on a plane home. If they were treated as the common criminals they are, they could be put out of reach for long enough to make the rest of us safe for a long time.

Oh come on now - the Swedish team were not THAT bad.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 07:18 AM

The latest news from Stuttgart is very bad, it is reported that upwards of 400 English supporters have been arrested, the English Policeman in charge of observing the fans, told us on Thursday that `we have everything in hand` and foolishly went on to say that `there would be no trouble`.
Get these thugs of the streets of Germany, they are dragging our name in the gutter.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 08:43 AM

I agree with you Guest, but could you please use a name?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 11:57 AM

Well, I have just seen the first half and the good news for Ard Mhacha is that England will almost certainly be on the plane home tomorrow morning. It is neither a lack of effort, nor a lack of talent. They just can't get their game going. Ecuador have them well under control and it will be painful to watch them finish off England as their legs fail in the heat. Only an unexpected rainstorm or a miracle can save England now. It is a shame, because it is probably the last time in my life that England will send a talented enough squad to have a real chance. Are England due for a football miracle?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 12:21 PM

They just scored!
But could be doing better.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 01:36 PM

Well, we got a miracle and a thunderstorm. The thunderstorm was in Köln. It was so violent that it took out the TV reception completely and it was so near that we had to unplug our TV and the internet ISDN box. (We lost both last time we got hit by lightning). The miralce is that England are through because of a goalkeeping error. They never came close to scoring in the first half or in the last ten minutes, which I saw.
They looked dead on their feet at the end. Beckham made it look like hard work to walk to the bench. That is the fourth time they have failed to get their game going, yet the third time they have won. They have not made many new friends here, but their luck seems to be holding.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 01:51 PM

The bad news is that Wayne Rooney was expected to do the impossible.

The good news is that he performed a miracle.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:07 AM

England's armchair managers, TV pundits, ex-fooballers, jounalists and assorted second-guesser are miserable enough at their home team topping their group and progressing to the quarter final.

I hate to think how miserable they would be - if their team's players were at home watching - like the teams from Sweden, Holland, Mexico, Equador and those that will join them in the next two days, those who did not get out of the group stages and those who did not even qualify for the final stages.

I fear that many critics are now so stuck in this groove - that when the England team actually win the World Cup - this fact will completely escape them. The day after - they will still be writing about the team not performing as good as they could be and this or that player or formation being better. I think some journalists may have even written this already...........

Perhaps it is time to get real? All the best players in the world are in Germany and trying their best to win. None of them are going to lay down and allow any other team to not only beat them - but to be seen to do it with ease and style. Should any team manage to do this - they will deserve some credit, but it is only the result that will really matter and this will only come after both sides have given maximum effort.

At this moment, in the case of Portugal's Big Phil - he is trying to put out 11 players who are not suspended or injured.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:18 AM

That Portugal-Holland match did as much to bring the game into disrepute as any actions of the Fans.

Four players sent off, and 16 yellow cards, both apparentley records. Woul dhave been alot neater if they'd just stopped the game for a wrestling match in the middle......

It does mean the Portugese will be walking on egg-shells for the england match, with so many players on cards, and seemingly half the squad suspended.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:45 AM

We were particularly pleased that England were top of their table - It meant they played on the 'right' day for those of us with the Abram Morris dance on Saturday! I watched thr match yesterday afternoon and thought we were going to be on our way home after the first half - But that Beckham bloke certainly pulled one out of the hat didn't he! Nearly made up for that infamous missed penalty...

On the crowd behavior side. I was lucky enough to have done some work in Stuttgart for a few days. While I was there it was the time that lots of young men were either going into or coming out of the army - Can't remember which. There were dozens of them all staggering around the town squares, chanting and singing and... Shaking the hands of complete strangers, kissing the hands of old ladies and behaving generaly far better than most yobs in Manchester on Saturday night! It isn't football that causes the yobs. But it certainly seems to give our particular ones a good excuse:-(

Anyhow, back to far more serious topics. My prediction is now definitely on track. 40 years on revenge will be sweet. England and Germany in the final. Germany will win 4-2 after extra time. Wolfgang, what is the German for "Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over. It is now!"

Cheers

:D (tG)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:48 AM

Oh - and I love the commentators. My favourites from last night?

"Yellow boots - Yellow card. They go together."

and

"Sven has managed to find a new formation. 4-5-2. Rooney plays like two anyway!"

God bless 'em all:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:22 AM

The Portugal-Netherlands match was a wrestling match. he referee looked so helpless, like a school boy in the middle of traffic. And how could Figo behave that way, for a matured player.

It looked like American football in the second half. The two teams must be face some serious desciplinary action from FIFA.

Alanabit, give the English team some credit. That free-kick was superb, and it takes a genuis to convert that kind of kick.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Paul Burke
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:40 AM

Dunno Dave, I only got a C in German O level. But this is a Mr. Happy on it via German:

"Some people are on the clock period. They think that it completely more rueber its. It now is!"

and via Korean:

"It is a few people pitch. Them think that it is it this completely. Now is,!"

Chinese:

"Certain people are in the asphalt. They thought it everywhere is. This is the present!"

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:09 AM

A couple comments from a Yank that admires the game of Football.(Soccer)

Many diehards in the US denigrate the game - probably due to the fact they, like the NFL players, could not last 15 minutes on that field of play.

Also done as more young people participate in Soccer than any other sport here.

Heard a former pro baseball player say this AM that those who can't play BB, FB, BB have to play Soccer. Horsepucky!

Every public place in the US Midwest, be it Tavern, coffee house or Restaurant with a Telly, has been loaded with Soccer spectators.

However, and not to be taken as an affront as we experience fights at our football games, why do some of the English chaps have to get their boxers in a wad and become hooligans? This is not for us taken as an example of football behavior but mostly as an example of bad behavior by a few Brit fans.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Les from Hull
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 11:30 AM

If it wasn't football, it would be something else. With football it's a sort of tribalism, normally 'supporting' one team and beating up those who support another. For international matches these idiots then transfer their affection to our national team. As the press have been reporting their antics for years, they think they've got a reputation to maintain.

Anyway, for the next match, c'mon Aussie c'mon!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 12:52 PM

We wuz ROBBED!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 12:54 PM

A sickener for Australia. Ten seconds before the end. There are few teams who could have held out against the Italians for so long though.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 01:15 PM

The offence (if it was one) although in the penalty area, was obstruction, as the defender made no movement to foul the attacker but just fell and did not get out of the way. An indirect free-kick - rather than the penalty award would have been the correct decision. And that would have been bad enough and just as unfair.

But other than that the refereeing was better anyway.

Yes the Australian team played well and were robbed. Although the 10 man Italian team did play well. But perhaps the Australian manager had counted on extra time to introduce the remaining subs and that was the fatal mistake?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 01:20 PM

Or perhaps the Italians bribed the official?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: freda underhill
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 01:25 PM

I'm proud of the Australian team - they were playing chess with their feet, their technique was great - I can't wait til the next series!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 01:52 PM

Alanabit, give the English team some credit. That free-kick was superb, and it takes a genuis to convert that kind of kick.

I tend to agree. Had that goal been scored by a Brazilian or Argentinian - most Englishmen would have gone overboard with admiration and heaped generous praise on the scorer and on the skills they had spent so much time practicing and perfecting.

The first thing English comentators can come up with - is telling us how long it was since Beckham last scored from a free kick and suggesting that the goalkeeper was somehow at fault. Even when at the time - poor old Beckham was suffering from dehydration and later threw-up and had to go off.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 02:19 PM

I do give Beckham credit for his guts in playing on and his superbly struck free kick. However, at this level, we don't very often see a free kick slip in at the near post - especially when the goalkeeper gets his hand to it. Credit to Beckham and all the players indeed. The luck went with England too though.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 05:35 PM

It is a contest and the kicker is asking the question. The goalkeeper (and defence) have to provide the answer.

When their skill in doing this is enough to prevent a goal - this skill should be recognised but perhaps never detract from recognising the skills of the kicker?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:07 PM

At the end of the day there's an enormous element of luck, along with incredible skill. Younhave to have both. The players are the first to admit that, and to recognise that the winning side in a particular match, or even in an event such as the World Cup isn't by any means always the best side.

Which is as well for people looking towards an England victory. Or a German victory. Or in fact a victory for... Name your favourite.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:49 PM

THANK GOD WE IN AUSTRALIA CAN NOW GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP AND GET BACK TO AUSSIE RULES

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 01:46 AM

Switzerland go out (on penalties) - despite never conceeding a goal in any of their matches and boring everyone to death in this last one.

I can't see today's Ghana v Brazil being a repeat of this dire defensive struggle and one can only hope that France v Spain will be the classic encounter it promises to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Escamillo
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 01:59 AM

I feel here like a lonely fan waving an Argentine flag in the stadium, but.. ok, all are friends after all, and we Argies are still on the way ! And nobody has made a reservation for a ticket to Buenos Aires next Friday. Wolfgang, would you bet for a virtual beer ?

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 02:45 AM

I think we can safely say that either team out of Germany v Argentina will most probably go on to feature in the final.

We can say with more certainty that one of them will not.

Which one will it be?

The best team of the two is Argentina who have been the outstanding team of the competition so far - so it is bound to be them who go out (probably after a penalty shoot-out).

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 04:09 AM

I have always been fond of saying that in football, even the better side requires luck to win. That is why it is so hard to predict anything.
As to the quarter finals, Argentina against Germany looks like a cracker. Argentina have more natural individual skill and at times have also blended majestically. This team looks more like the football artists of 1978 than the - erm - less attractive side of 1990... Germany have less natural talent, but they have found form and a rhythm at just the right time. They will also have the crowd behind them. I am making no predictions, but it could well be the best game in the tournament. I won't miss it!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 02:29 PM

Sorry to see Ghana go home. They provided a lot more skill and entertainment than many teams who remain. They played well against Brazil and had a real go at them - but Brazil still mangaged to win 3 - 0 and without appearing to really break sweat.............

Congratulations also to Ronaldo who with his fine goal in today's game became the highest individual goal scorer in World Cup Finals. He is some player and is still able to do things that his critics can only dream about. It is delight and a privilige to see him play so well, at the highest level and under the most incredible pressure.

What he does may look lazy to some but that is because he does what he does so well that it appears to be easy. More to come.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 06:37 PM

Yes.... Ronaldo... congrats for scoring the record breaker and the only (real) goal of the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 07:52 PM

Not the only one, Escamillo - I'm hoping and expecting to see Argentina beat Germany on Friday, and then go on to beat Italy in the semi and Brazil in the final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,s
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:53 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:54 PM

Bra-zil! Bra-zil!

Well, they outscored Ghana, but Ghana definitely outplayed Brazil. But it's the score that counts, you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:21 AM

Yeah its the score that counts. Now all we have to do is, learn our lessons quickly,get better goal scorers and keep the team together. Ghana played the qualifier with 80 players and 5 coaches,that is to tell you that we have loads of players but the problem is getting the right team.

But I am very proud of our teanm,in the end we lost to an experienced side. But there is always a next time. Watch out for Ghana in 2010.

GHANAAAA! NEVER SAY DIE.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:56 AM

It was the same old Spainish teams as of old. Promising much but delivering little.

What happened to them? The first half was one of the best games of this tournament and despite conceeding a goal - Spain had the better of it. The second half they never looked like winning and even in the time left, after France's second goal, they didn't seem to want to know.

Talk about a game of two halfs - or is that halves?

I must admit my predictions for the quarter finals were not very accurate - but I did get Brazil, England, Portugal and Argentina right.

I confidently predict that the semi finals will be Agentina v Italy and England v Brazil.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:10 AM

Luis ARAGONES (ESP)
It was a very even game. We had more possession in the first half and created more opportunities. We made a mistake not stopping (Frank) Ribery with a tactical foul before he scored, and I didn't think there was a foul for the second goal. Even so, we weren't able to stop their player in time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Escamillo
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:39 AM

Excuse my ignorance, Mr. Aragonés, what is a "Tactical foul" ?? Oh, I see, it is an intentional foul against one player who approaches too fast to the area. A Strategical Foul is when all the 11 players attack the other team with baseball bats !

If Argentina reaches the semi-finals I invite six Mudcatters (air ticket not included) for a dinner in Buenos Aires where they will taste the best beef in the world. And attend a tango concert too.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 06:44 AM

Saying, "We should have committed a tactical foul," is effectively saying, "I wish we had cheated". I am not sad to see that sides who think like that are on the plane home.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 12:00 PM

I'm really surprised what the coach has made within the time of six weeks with the German team. Some of them don't even play regularly in their clubs. The defense still looks quite vulnerable but the attacking part of the team is unusually good. With Klose the team has one more player of international class than I had thought.

Also, the style they play is somewhat new to me. Where is the old safety first, no risk no fun, boring play we were used to? This team may lose against Argentine and we'll still love them more than many of the old teams.

Argentine is a tough task, they have played well, so far. I would have preferred Mexico but the majority of the team say they prefer Argentine. Last time Germany has beaten Argentine was in 1990, so I don't know what makes them prefer Argentine.

Summary of the groups:
5 teams from Africa played, one reached the last sixteen (eliminated now)
4 teams from Asia played, none reached the next round
14 teams from Europe played, 10 made the next round (6 still in)
4 teams from South America played, all four came through (2 still in)
4 teams from North America played, 1 made the next round and was eliminated then.
Australia is the missing team, but I don't know where to put them.

Well, for a world cup it is always a good idea to have teams from many parts of the world, but quite a few European and South American teams who had to stay home would have been stronger than many of the other teams. I see no reason to give the other parts of the world more places as they sometimes demand.

Last time it looked as if the former "weak" teams had their breakthrough but this time the quarter finals look like we were used to see them: 6 from Europe, 2 from South America.
1998: 6 Europe, 2 (the same two of course) South America
1994: 7 Europe 1 South America
1990: 6 Europe, 1 South America, 1 Africa
1986: 5 Europe, 2 South America and the host (Mexico)
1982: no quarter finals, of the last 12 10 were from Europe and usual 2 from South America
1978: no quarter finals but of the last 8 5 were from Europe, 3 from South America
1974: no quarter finals, but of the last eight it was 6/2 once more
1970: 4 Europe, 3 South America and Mexico (host)
1966: I stopped there

It is know that there seems to be an advantage for the home team, but did you know that there is an even stronger advantage for the home continent?
The finals were 7 times in America. Each time an American team did win.
The finals were 9 times in Europe: 8 times a European team did win. Only once, in 1958, the Brazilean dream team with Didi, Vava, Pele, Garrincha could win in Europe.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 12:32 PM

"Professional foul" is the term generally used in English football. I don't know why. That kind of thing is not exactly unknown in the amateur game...

I've never understood how home advantage works. I'd have thought that having a hostile crowd baying for your blood would be just the thing to make players more determined. Leaving aside the situation where there is a genuine possibility of a pitch invasion.

Anyway if there's a home continent advantage that should help Ghana next time, even though it's nearly as far from there to Cape Town as it is to Berlin. Better luck next time - Ghana could well have scored a couple against Brazil with a bit better finishing. (Though I suspect that if that had happened Brazil woudl have lifted their game and scored a couple more.)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 01:25 PM

We made a mistake not stopping (Frank) Ribery with a tactical foul before he scored-

Perhaps something was lost in translation - which may have also been the case in the racist remarks this coach was supposed to have said to the French players about Arsenal's Henry, a while back.

After the free kick which resulted in the 2nd French goal - I would to hate the think what he is saying (in private) about Henry now. I sure Henry thinks that justice was done......

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:26 PM

All teams retreat, everything is tactical and pre-exercised, nothing's vibrating. Germany is the exception. I wish Brazil would play like Germany (Tostao, from the Brazilian winning team of 1970)

That is too much of a praise, but I know what he means. Brazil was fed up with having an individually brilliant team and not winning the championship after 1970 for more than two decades. Then the public pressure decided if they couldn't have both at the same time, the title and the Samba, they'd go for the title instead.

Since then Brazil has been in all three finals but their play has lost the easiness and the Samba. They are still individually brilliant but it shows that the majority of their players now play in European teams. They have learned to play efficiently, with very low risk. and they have become more boring than before the 90s. With the exception of some rare incidents of individual brilliance they play much more like the other teams than at Pele's time. Sometimes for several minutes you can't tell they are Brazil and not some other team, except that their ball control is better than let's say Germany, but not really better than Mexico or Italy or France.

Germany had a team which was a pleasure to watch in the 60s and in part of the 70s. After then some individually great players left and they started to play like bureaucrats or exercising soldiers for more than two decades. They were successful but very boring to watch. They could destroy a game but they couldn't really play.

The present team plays a different style. Since more than two decades I have never had so much fun watching them as now. They are a bit young and the individual class is missing in some players but the way they play as a team is a welcome change from 20 years of what we call civil-servant-football.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:57 PM

I'll go along with what you say about Germany Wolfgang. It all seems to have come together in the past few weeks. They are much better to watch and they are playing like a team and to their strengths.
If Argentina play to their full potential on Saturday, they will win. No one is taking that for certain though. I also think the Germans are quite fair enough to support Jurgen Klinsmann if they give Argentina a good game. They are proud of the effort and morale of this side. The DFB will not find it easy to sack him.
On the whole, I think this tournament has been a lot better than the previous one. The French and the Argentines barely turned up last time. No one can say that now. The quarter finalists all look like possible winners, with the exception of the Ukraine. I think they will prove cannon fodder for Argentina in the unlikely event that they make it to the semi final.
Brazil still look like the best bet, because they can win comfortably without even playing well. I don't expect the French to do them any favours though, and given a little luck...

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 03:15 PM

...As the tension mounts before Saturday, perhaps England's players can take
solace in a familiar soothing sound to ease those nerves. Namely the
accordion skills of assistant manager, Tord Grip. Apparently Tord is very
accomplished, his nimble fingers getting many a good tune out of an old
accordion. And a Swedish journalist told me Tord has already got his hands
on one for the tournament. So picture this, Wayne Rooney listening intently
to the strains of "Ack Värmeland du sköna", or maybe the Yuletide melody
"Hej, tomtegubbar". My own personal favourite is "Johan på Snippen" -
although I dread to think what it's about.

reposted from the 'net... Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online chief football
writer    28 Jun 06, 03:55 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 03:56 PM

And here's a picture of him playing.