Archive: England
How to Be a Superstar ... and How Not to
What a contrast between two of the most recognizable faces in the game today -- Zinedine Zidane was all class in France's upset of Brazil, Wayne Rooney was classless as he stomped on an opponent, earned a red card and cost his team a very winnable game. Zidane was doing stuff like this all game. Rooney has been acting like this his whole career. Once in a while in football, justice is served....
By Jon DeNunzio | July 1, 2006; 05:26 PM ET | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
Owen: Done
Sad, but not surprising: Michael Owen is out for the rest of the tournament. So is it Crouch and Rooney up top the rest of the way? If Rooney can'y play 90 minutes, who comes on?...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 21, 2006; 08:20 AM ET | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
"The Big Man's Back in Town"
Yes, that's what Wayne Rooney reportedly said when he arrived at the team hotel in Baden-Baden. Here's a sampling of other Wayne Rooney news ... - The Guardian: Sven-Goran Eriksson proclaims Wayne "injury free." Eriksson said today: "The good news from yesterday evening and today is Rooney has no more injury. He is injury free and it is up to us now to get him match-fit and when we think he is match-fit I am prepared to take him to any specialist we or Manchester United want to take him to."...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 8, 2006; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
Report: Rooney Going to Germany
Here's the news: the BBC.com reports Wayne Rooney "won the race to prove his fitness" and will be on the England team in Germany. Also, as pointed out by savvy commenters below, France's Djibril Cisse may have broken his leg today. Hmmm, anyone know of an American newspaper that was smart enough to run a story on World Cup injuries today?...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 7, 2006; 03:50 PM ET | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
First, more bad news for Italy: MF Gennaro Gattuso is hurt, and may miss two games. He's a guy I really enjoy watching, and think many of you would, too (if you haven't seen him play for AC Milan or Italy already). Just a bulldog out there, fearless. To wit: Gattuso said: "I'm disappointed, missing two games is a lot for me. I'm not superstitious but I think someone has put a curse on me. I'm going to the World Cup even if I have to tie myself to the team bus." - Germany GK Jens Lehmann talks some trash about England. "They know how to play well but they do not know how to go through a whole tournament. We have been there and done it. They haven't." Two points: 1) Sure, Germany has "done it," way back in 1990! Well, I guess 1996, if you count Euro championships....
By Jon DeNunzio | June 7, 2006; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
I like stats (good stats, not junk like this), and FIFAWorldCup.com has a good stat-driven piece up today. They crunched the numbers on the average age of World Cup players thru history, and discovered that no winning side in the last 40 years has had an average age of 28 or more. In Chile 1962 [Brazil] weighed in at an average of 30 years and 1 month, a staggering 17 months older on average than the next oldest squad. Since then the average age of the winning squads has been: England (27/01); Brazil (25/02); Germany (27/03); Argentina (26/03); Italy (27/04); Argentina (26/10); Germany (27/09); Brazil (27/11); France (27/04) and Brazil (26/09). ... The average age of every player taking part in the Germany showpiece is 27/05. Remarkably that figure has scarcely changed over recent competitions. Four years ago it was 27/06 as it was in 1998. In 1994 it had...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 6, 2006; 09:20 AM ET | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
There are four days till the first game, and it's time to kick it into a higher gear ... we'll start the day with the kick-about: - Friendlies that made news: Brazil 4, New Zealand 0: Saw some highlights on Sky (thanks to Fox Soccer Channel); Adriano's goal was quite nice. Kaka scored late on a long run that made you wonder how hard New Zealand was trying at that point. Australia 1, Netherlands 1: Again, saw some highlights. Good for Australia: GK Mark Schwarzer made some gigantic saves, and hey, it's a very respectable result. Bad for Holland: three Dutch players were hurt in the game; MF Wesley Sneijder seems to be worst off. "It's like an episode of M.A.S.H.," said Holland Coach Marco van Basten said. "It was some sight in the dressing room. But I don't regret the match because it is good to play physical football."...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 5, 2006; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
The Stretch Run
Ok, after a nice holiday weekend off, it's time to get geared up for the Cup. If you're curious what's going on inside The Post's Soccer Central (aka "at my desk"), today most of the stories for the World Cup preview section are due. I'll be editing those over the next couple days, as well as planning some other stories you'll see in the paper over the next 10 days. Steve Goff leaves for Germany on Thursday, and Camille Powell and Jason LaCanfora leave Sunday. It's really hitting all of us that the big event is upon us ... Enough about us. Here are a couple newsy items I've spotted recently: - Injuries: Spain's Xabi Alonso, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, England's Michael Owen (!!), Holland's Rafael Van der Vaart, - Good news on the injury front for the Czechs (bad for the U.S., I suppose). Also good news for Tunisia's Hamed...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 30, 2006; 12:55 PM ET | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Who's Kidding Who?
The scan results are in, and I don't see how this can be good news for England or injured striker Wayne Rooney. Manchester United have released a statement saying they are satisfied with [Rooney's] period of recovery but confirmed he will require another scan on June 14 to determine when he can start training again. 'A further CT scan will be performed in Manchester on June 14 to assess further his recovery and a decision will then be made as to whether he can begin to participate in football training,' said the statement. England plays group games on June 10, 15 and 20. He'll miss all those games, for sure. If England makes the second round, they'd play June 24 or 25. Is that a reasonable date to consider for his return? He'll have been out of action seven and a half weeks on June 14. According to the BBC.com...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 26, 2006; 08:40 AM ET | Comments (33) | TrackBack (0)
Midnight Kick-About
Hey there ... I was away from my computer most of Thursday, so I have not had a chance to post. Here's one for you guys who might drop by late at night ... - Bad U.S. news: Cory Gibbs is out of the World Cup. It's not like Gibbs and Frankie Hedjuk are quote-unquote players you can't afford to lose, but two injuries at defense already? Yeesh. Gregg "Two Gs" Berhalter replaces Gibbs ... - We'll get Wayne Rooney MRI news Friday. BTW, how wild is the news that Man United fired the doc who was overseeing Rooney's recovery? He seemed to be giving the national team physio positive reports, and many figure Sir Alex Ferguson did not like that. In the spirit of fairness: United insist the departure of Dr Mike Stone, the physician who was in charge of Rooney's recovery, is not connected with the England star....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 25, 2006; 11:55 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Late Lunchtime Roundup
Hmmmm, where to start? I need to catch up ... - Germany F Michael Ballack sounds less than supremely confident. "Everyone must be aware that a surprise is possible with this young team - but also an early exit," Ballack said in SportBild magazine. - Australia, Sweden and Ecuador choose their teams. - Two players getting teased with "Hey, you still might make the team" talk: Holland MF Edgar Davids and England D Ledley King. - Reported in a comment yesterday -- Italy F Christian Vieri is out. Is it possible his last touch in a World Cup match was putting an exceedingly easy chance over the bar vs. South Korea? Or maybe I'm remembering it wrong....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 10, 2006; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Sven's 23
Ok, let's get the week rolling with a look at Sven-Goran Eriksson's choices for England's side. Here's the BBC news story. It leads with: Sven-Goran Eriksson has named teenagers Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon in his provisional 23-man England squad for this summer's World Cup in Germany. But Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King and Darren Bent miss out, while Jermain Defoe is on a five-man standby list. This also is useful -- the BBC's form and fitness guide. I know all you Anglophiles have something to say. Say it ......
By Jon DeNunzio | May 8, 2006; 01:28 PM ET | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
Spanish Selections
A few other notes: - Spain named a 27-man preliminary squad. The controversial omissions: Valencia's Vicente, Real Madrid's Guti and Espanyol's Ivan de la Pena. Vicente has been struggling to recover from a long-term ankle injury and has not returned to action with his club yet. Meanwhile, Guti and De la Pena have paid for inconsistent form with their clubs and appear to be out of the running. Getafe's Argentine full-back Mariano Pernia, who obtained dual nationality last month, was also not included. - Recently shaky Argentina GK Roberto Abbondanzieri says he's all better now. - Not strictly World Cup-related, but Highbury closes this weekend (Thanks to Goffer for reminding me). The BBC has a photo tribute up. Personally, I hate seeing old stadiums go in any sport -- the sports world would be richer with the Boston Garden, Tiger Stadium, the Montreal Forum, etc. still around. Of course, I...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 5, 2006; 02:40 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Guarding Team U.S.A.
The bus the U.S. team will use in Germany does not have an American flag painted on the side or back. All the other 31 team buses will bear the country's colors. It's a security measure: At the 2002 World Cup, the United States was among the most heavily guarded teams. When the Americans arrived at Incheon International Airport, about 500 police formed a corridor the players walked through as they came out of customs, with SWAT team commandos mixed in. That's not so fun. On the lighter side, check this out....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 4, 2006; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
Rooney Theories
Looking to play the blame game re: Wayne Rooney's metatarsal injuries? The Guardian gets to the root of the problem: But if we all accept that the main contributory factors to the calamity are Rooney's bone density, boot design and the fact that he was playing football, then anyone with a passing knowledge of history can only blame the fractured metatarsal on one of three events. First is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ... You have to read the whole thing. (Tip of the Hat to RMT from Richmond, once again)...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 4, 2006; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
Some items of interest: - Angola's Gilberto is out -- snapped Achilles' tendon (that has to hurt). "Gilberto was a regular for his country in last year's qualifying campaign and also helped his club to win the 2005 African Champions League." - Iran's coach admits his team is, at this point, not well prepared for Germany. But it's not because of the geopolitical tension, he swears. - Some doubts persist about Tim Cahill's recovery. Cahill plays for Everton and, he hopes, Australia this summer. - Brazil F Oliveira is holding out hope he can still land a spot on the team. Best part (emphasis mine): Yet even if he were fully fit, the task would be far from easy, facing as he does fierce competition from players such as Fred of French champions Lyon and Nilmar of Corinthians. - Poland loses a friendly to Lithuania. Despite the fact that a...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 4, 2006; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Rooney Update and More ...
First of all, it's good to see all those insightful comments on the U.S. team post. I expect to see a similar level of debate when Togo names its squad. Here's what's going on elsewhere: - Wayne Rooney has TWO broken foot bones. When pressed on whether Rooney now needs a miracle, Eriksson ... said: 'Maybe.' - Japan has a guy with a broken metatarsal, too -- striker Atsushi Yanagisawa (a former Sampdoria player whose current club is the Kashima Antlers). - Manchester United/France D Mikael Silvestre thinks he deserves a World Cup spot. La sagesse conventionnelle is that he will not get a spot. Which Frenchmen rate ahead of him at defense? Cobbling together some stuff from World Soccer and SI.com, it looks like the top defenders are: William Gallas (Chelsea) Lilian Thuram (Juve) Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich) Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle) Gael Givet (Monaco) Antoine Réveillère (Lyon) (The Réveillères...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 3, 2006; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
Around the world in 40 keystrokes (give or take) ... - Wayne Rooney will sleep in an oxygen tent in an effort to recover more quickly. Reading The Sun online has gotten a Billy Bragg song stuck in my head, btw ... - Other Rooney items of note: Sven-Goran Eriksson could replace him up to 24 hours before England's first match, a second examination is scheduled for Thursday , and the FA is denying a rift between Eriksson and Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson. Ferguson: Sven is going on saying he will take the lad and then in six weeks' time he will have another two weeks to get fitter to play in the quarter-final of a World Cup. That is a wild dream. Really it is folly to suggest that the boy could be out of the game for six weeks, then two weeks later go and play in...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 2, 2006; 01:35 PM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
The Rooney News
For the second time since we started this blog, Wayne Rooney is the lead story in my Monday morning catch-up. First, it was the gambling deal, which seems so minor now. As all of you certainly know by know, Rooney broke a bone in his foot in Saturday's game vs. Chelsea. Sven-Goran Eriksson says he'll give Rooney every chance to be on the team. In that piece, he also said he had gotten "very good news" about forward Micahel Owen, another metatarsal injury victim who reported some discomfort after playing for Newcastle over the weekend. Owen, too, now says he's confident he'll be ready. Even before Rooney's latest injury, the English media had been writing about the "Curse of the Metatarsal." The BritPress has plenty out there, if you really want to delve into it: - A medical analysis of metatarsal injuries. - The theory that Nike's new boots ("cleats"...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 1, 2006; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)
This Just In ...
Group C prediction post coming up in a sec ... but I gotta post this first: "Big Phil" Scolari seems to be backing out of the England job. "I don't want anything more to do with this England matter because in the space of two days... my life was invaded, my privacy was disrupted," said Scolari, who will remain Portugal coach until after the World Cup. The FA is trying to figure it out: "Luiz Felipe Scolari this afternoon made the FA aware of his intention to release a statement regarding the England head coach position," said a statement on the FA website. "It is no secret that Mr Scolari is one of the candidates that the FA has spoken to as part of the recruitment process. We will now reflect on his announcement before making any further comment as we move forward with the process." I suggest reflecting on...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 28, 2006; 01:50 PM ET | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
A quick read on the news: - The BBC says England has offered its coaching job to Luiz Felipe "Big Phil" Scolari. It will be controversial to take a non-Englishman again, but not as controversial as picking Peter Scolari (bottom left). (Note: If you haven't been following this story, this is England's pick for its 2010 World Cup coach. Sven-Goran Eriksson is still in charge this year. Next week, the FA will start interviewing candidates for 2014 ...) - Argentina phenom Lionel Messi experiences a potential setback. Messi pulled up during a sprint and kicked a cone in frustration but Argentina national team sources said it was not serious, they said. It was not immediately clear whether the problem was with the same leg or the same injury. - Aussie Injury Woes Continue. This item is about MF Tim Cahill (Everton), but also reminds us: [Coach Gus] Hiddink is already...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 27, 2006; 12:40 PM ET | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
Holy Cow x 2
I just saw two things that made me say "Holy Cow!" 1) Jens Lehmann stopping Riquelme's PK to preserve Arsenal's win in the Champions League semis. Klinsmann had to like that. The Guardian's oft-praised live update desribed it as follows: 89 mins: Riquelme steps up ... and aims a powerful side-footer to the keeper's left ... but Lehmann spreads himself well and blocks it! The tiny contingent of Arsenal fans go wild as justice is seen to be done! Is that the first time English fans have cheered a penalty save by a German keeper? 2) Sepp Blatter speaks up on England's search for coach to take the reins after the World Cup (Tip of the Hat to RMT from Richmond): Fifa president Sepp Blatter expressed his surprise that the FA could be considering the appointment of another foreigner. "I am surprised that England are considering this again - it...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 25, 2006; 04:50 PM ET | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
Zidane Makes It Official
Here's rambling post for those of you not glued to ESPN2 at the moment. - Zizou makes it official. This quote seems remarkably frank for a pro athlete, by American standards at least: 'In the last two years the results have eluded us [Real Madrid]. When you don't reach your goals you ask yourself questions. I know I can't do better than what I have already done and at my age, it's getting more and more difficult. I didn't want to experience another year like the ones I've been through.' If he were American, he would be saying "I want to spend more time with my family." - England Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, is, how you say, cautiously optimistic? - Will soccer get kicked out of the Olympics? This doping/WADA/FIFA stuff started coming out in stories like this yesterday. Today, Sepp Blatter reacts. - Some Netherlands news you may have seen...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 25, 2006; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
No story jumps out at me right now (other than Alecko Eskandarian possibly being in trouble for his antics vs. the Red Bulls -- and that doesn't really fit here), so here are some headlines: - At Arsenal, Sol Campbell will play, Philippe Senderos will not in the second leg of the Champions League semi on Tuesday. England fans can see how Solly's doing; Swiss fans can sweat it out -- would be a blow to lose Senderos for the World Cup. - I tire of being England-heavy in these news updates, but I have to point out that former England coach Bryan Robson took a shot at Beckham this weekend. "Becks would not have been my choice as captain. Gerrard and Terry are more natural leaders and have the aggression most managers like in a captain. ... Beckham is not a leader on the pitch." - Australia GK Mark...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 24, 2006; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
Mid-Afternoon Kick-About
A bit of news to digest: - Argentina's Lionel Messi is taking his time. I assume he's taking his time as far as Barcelona games are concerned, not World Cup games ... - Ronaldinho is confident. Except for this quote: "It will be hard to advance past the first stage because everyone will be aiming for us. They will all have a bit of extra motivation." - England 2002 vs. England 2006. Once you look at it on paper, there's no comparison. Danny Mills, Trevor Sinclair, Nicky Butt and Emile Heskey are all still worthy Premier League players. None of them, though, can expect to be remotely near the squad for 2006, and there is even less likelihood of strikers Darius Vassell and Teddy Sheringham being sent on in search of a last-gasp equaliser as they were against Brazil. - A meaty profile of Cesc Fabregas. "Football is like a...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 20, 2006; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
The Definitive Injury Post
Well, maybe that's too strong. But FIFAWorldCup.com does a nice job in this piece of getting us up to date on the major injury worries as June 9* (not to mention May 15**) approaches. Will they or won't they? XI on the fitness trail Oleksander Shovkovsky, Ukraine goalkeeper Gabriel Heinze, Argentina defender Sol Campbell, England defender Ledley King, England defender Ashley Cole, England defender Xavi, Spain midfielder Pablo Aimar, Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi, Argentina midfielder Francesco Totti, Italy forward Jan Koller, Czech Republic forward Michael Owen, England forward Did they miss anyone? Am I right in thinking the U.S. is fortunate not to have a major injury concern right now? * - Matchday 1 of the 2006 World Cup, as if you didn't know. ** -- FIFA's deadline for final roster submission....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 19, 2006; 11:04 AM ET | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
More Injury News
Bad news for England: Ledley King broke a bone in his foot. King's Tottenham manager, Martin Jol, is confident, though: "He will take three or four weeks to recover so of course he will be fit for the World Cup," Jol said. I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the Internet ... and I think that's optimistic. We'll see....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 17, 2006; 10:05 AM ET | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
- Rooney libel case settled. That's one distraction out of the way. The 700,000-pound gorilla lingers: The scale and voracity of Rooney's betting has shocked many observers. Although the player is paid nearly £3 million a year by United and earns about the same in endorsements, the debt represents a substantial slice of his annual income. It is more than a third of his salary after tax. - Sol Campbell hurt again. Is a spot in the English side realistic? (Please note my savvy use of prepositions) Well, Rio Ferdinand is on Sol's side. "Sol's been unfortunate, along with Jonathan Woodgate, with injuries in the last season. Maybe that will play against him or maybe he'll come back fresher, and the manager could see that as a good ingredient to add to the squad." - Trinidad & Tobago names its squad (provisionally). Players you might know thanks to their previous...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 13, 2006; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Mid-Morning Kick-About
Taking my place in the wall as the day lines up for another free kick ... - Nice piece on FIFAWorldCup.com on the "water-carriers" of World Cup history. I always loved Deschamps; love to see him get his due here. - Brazil's coach is " more relieved than worried" tha Ronaldo is hurt. Okay. But Parreira said that the rest could be just what Ronaldo needs to be at his best ahead of their FIFA World Cup defence. "He can recover and line out in his best physical form for Brazil," Parreira told the Brazil sports agency Placar. - Good old-fashioned begging might get you a spot on the national team. Twenty goals don't hurt, either. If this BBC.com piece I linked to yesterday is to be believed, Bent and Jermain Dafoe are the bubble boys for England's last forward spot. - One of England's top refs say the men...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 12, 2006; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Catching Up ...
I was out of pocket for a good portion of the day (although there seemed to be plenty of fodder for discussion on the blog anyway), and I just got a chance to look at the day's news. Some headlines: - Argentina injury news: defender Gabriel Heinze may be back soon for Manchester United, while Lionel Messi has a slight knock and will likely miss Barcelona's Champions League game next week. Heinze in good health would be a great addition for Argentina (thanks to The Post's Christian Swezey for tipping me off on this one, btw); Messi's injury is not enough to make anyone worry he'd miss Germany. - They're gonna use a special gold ball in the final. Geez. - Reason No. 5,687 I love BBC.com: this breakdown of England's potential roster. Including: Glen Johnson, who missed a Chelsea game after forgetting his passport, is unlikely to have such...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 11, 2006; 07:45 PM ET | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Afternoon Kick-About
- Bad break for South Korea -- top striker Lee Dong-Gook, who missed 2002 with an injury, is hurt again - Becks wants to come to the U.S. Great. In this guy's opinion, MLS needs to be about players who will make a splash in future World Cups, not guys who were stars in 1998 or 2002 ... - Mexico will play Venezuela at the Rose Bowl as part of its pre-Cup schedule. The U.S. will play Venezuela three weeks later, in Cleveland. It's not new, but if you haven't noticed, MLS (technically, MLS's marketing arm) is the entity running and presumably profitting off these games....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 11, 2006; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
Non-Rooney News
Some other stuff that is floating out there today: - England loses some back-line depth thanks to Luke Young's ankle injury. UPDATE, 3 PM: Maybe it's not that bad. - Zinedine Zidane wants to win the World Cup and retire on top. Don't we all? - Oliver Kahn spots the high road, crosses two lanes of traffic and the solid line and merges on to it. He's ok with being Lehmann's backup, he says. - Japan's Naohiro Takahara scores for Hamburg in late-game sub duty. FIFAWorldCup.com spins this as a momemt that could have great impact on how Japan's coach, Brazilian legend Zico, chooses his side. Am I being too harsh by asking if a Bundesliga reserve should be expected to be a major factor for a team like Japan? - The Guardian's Amy Lawrence sizes up Brazil. Are they overrated? I dunno, but it's a better question to ask...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 10, 2006; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
All Rooney, All the Time
Wayne Rooney is pretty much the only place to start today. First, the Sunday Mirror reported the 20-year-old England striker has 700,000 pounds ($1.2 million, if my currency converter is correct) in gambling debts. The striker is part of a secret dressing room gambling ring which includes teammates Michael Owen, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand. ... While other players have enjoyed some success, the 20-year-old Manchester United star found himself losing tens of thousands of pounds on horses, dogs and football matches he wasn't involved in. Athletic heroes gamble? I do not believe it. It should be noted that the Sunday Mirror is a tabloid, and Sir Alex Ferguson calls all of this "nonsense" But two points: 1. If the report is true, the issue may not be the bets themself (Rooney probably can afford it), but the locker room tension: The row - just two months before...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 10, 2006; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
A few headlines of note this morning: - The Guardian says Sven-Goran Eriksson has told Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole they are in his plans. - Match of the weekend? Arsenal-Manchester United. - FIFAWorldCup.com runs through Argentina's striking options. After Brazil, who looks better up top (on paper, at least) than these guys? - How often do you get to type this: Q&A with Cha-Bum Kun! Interesting to note that one of South Korea's best strikers, Lee Dong-Gook, did not play in 2002, but is expected to be there this time around. - Player wins injunction vs. German far-right party. The pamphlet pictured a white player wearing Owomoyela's jersey below the words: "White, not just a jersey color! For a real national team!" - Finally, I can't read much Italian, but I know what this quote from Carlos Alberto Parreira on Pippo Inzaghi means: E' come Paolo Rossi (He's like...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 7, 2006; 08:05 AM ET | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Running Out of Time ...
Quick-hitters on players who are ... - Sweating out their World Cup chances for South Korea and England . (Wouldn't be an England team without Sol Campbell, would it?) - Never had much of a chance to get to Germany, but now seem definitely out for Argentina and England....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 6, 2006; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
