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World Cup 2006

Friday, June 30, 2006

Last post from me from Sydney before heading back to the UK to watch England demolish Portugal, then Brazil and then beat Germany 4-1 in the final with a hat-trick from Aaron Lennon in extra time.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Mandy enjoys a Toohey's New Shandy in the Surf Rock Cafe in Collaroy before the penalty.

It was never a penalty ref. Was it? I mean I know you've got to watch your footing in the penalty area, especially with the Italians, but that close to extra time I mean come on. We wanted extra time. Not some anti-climactic dodgy decision.

This is Mandy and Louisa in the first half before the effects of beer at 2am on 3 hours sleep started to take effect. You can tell that because in this picture they are standing up.

A terrible way for Australia to go out, especially considering how much above their expected level of performance they'd played in their 4 games.

Despite the penalty incident, Neill was for me their player of the tournament.

I can still taste beergate (a new cocktail I invented for the World Cup contining beer and Colgate).

Monday, June 26, 2006

ENGLAND 1-0 ECUADOR

England beat Ecuador but they were boring. So I've attached a photo of a funny shirt instead.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Should I shouldn't I?

I am debating whether or not to wake up to watch the Germany v Sweden game. Of course I know I will end up doing so, but the thought of waking up at the weekend at 1am and crawling out of a warm bed in the middle of Winter is not appealing.

I predict Germany 0-0 Sweden, then a golden German goal.

Jurgen Klinsmann: "We mustn’t be eliminated – we’re a football nation. Even a quarter-final exit would be a catastrophe."

It gets serious now

England v Ecuador

Thursday, June 22, 2006

World Cup Sh*t

Three things that are sh*t about the World Cup:

1) I can't find a World Cup venue on Sydney's Northern Beaches that is showing the Australia game. Our local pub advertises "All World Cup Soccer games here LIVE" but when calling them they say "nah mate we're shut".

2) I got one point out of 4 in my tipping content and am now 9 points behind the leader.

3) I am behind Mandy in the tipping contest.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

World Cup Fatigue

Is it setting in yet? Are you still chained to a radiator? Don't tell anyone, but I'm almost looking forward to the first World Cup day off next week.

In the meantime, and in an attempt to break the site, here is a load of rubbish which was sent to me via the email, titled "Crouch - a man of many talents":













Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Re: AUS BRA

Are you being held hostage in a hotel room until the end of the month? It looks awfully glamorous.

I saw AUS BRA in a trendy club. It cost seven quid to get in, and then it took half a bleeding hour to get a drink. Never again.

It was (surprise) full of Brazilians and Aussies. I was very much on the Sheilaroos' side, but despite a brave performance, it wasn't to be. I was thinking of you, propping up your eyelids at 3 in the morning, chuckling away at fatty Ronaldo.

Right now there is TOG SWI online, but I can't raise much enthusiasm for that. It would be nice if once of the ARS players in this game scored, then they could join Rosicky, Ljungberg, van Persie, Henry as World Cup goalscorers.

Monday, June 19, 2006

BRAZIL V AUSTRALIA - half time report

0-0?

I wonder what the odds for that would have been.

Australia are actually defending quite well. They're closing down the Brazillians quite effectively, but let's not forget that Brazil are also not making the most of some of their chances. They need to start taking some more risks though.

The earlier game between Croatia and Japan was a draw, so Australia can lose this and still go through to the 2nd round if they draw against Croatia. I think Guus should bring on Kewell at some point in the 2nd half.

All of a sudden qualification seems possible.

I was going to take a photo of the game, but there was nothing of note in the replays, so here's a shot of the view from my hotel room instead. It's a bridge in Canberra, in the dark, with no cars on it. What a fascinating blog this has become.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

peter crouch


peter crouch
Originally uploaded by bennyonacid.
We went to the local RSL to watch it. There were 5 other people there and one of them was the bouncer.

So we watched the 2nd half at home, which was much better.

I thought we weren't all that convincing.

I wanted to see a robot dance but was sadly let down.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Live: Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro

Gary Lineker
Cambiasso scores
Maradona celebrates


Watching at work is great, apart from you can't really watch as you have to do some work. It also spurred me on to figure out how to take screen captures of streaming Real Video. The boys in the studio are drooling over Argentina. They look streets ahead. England, meanwhile, have been woeful in spite of winning both games.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

At this moment in time, right now, as I write / type this, I am sat in Rydges Melbourne on level 12, room 03, it's 12:45am and Korea are leading Togo 2-1.

Togo took the lead of course. But Korea are gradually bringing it back.

I am making the most of the in-room HSIA and it's actually quite mega.

I've just ordered a veggie pizza on room service (it's all they have after 11pm) and gave the nice man a massive tip of $0. I'm in Melbourne on some website training gubbins. It's 7degrees, I'm cold and I miss my wife.

I'm also going to wake up to watch Brazil despite the fact that means I'll have 4 hours sleep for the second night in a row before a whole day's presentations and then a flight to Brisbane tomorrow night.

Work is SO overrated. Can I go home now?

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

"Ecuador my life, football my passion, the cup my goal"

I got Ecuador in the office sweepstake, so I am mainly suppoting them. They had an excellent start against Poland, so a win against Costa Rica will see them through. We might meet those spoiled overrated plodders England (my 'other' team) in the next round so there may be some split loyalties.

Wizards of Oz etc...

John Aloisi My friend Paul in Spain says that John Aloisi is the friendliest footballer he's ever spoken to. So, well done to him and hats off to Australia for their exciting win. Did you go nuts? Are you still there?

Monday, June 12, 2006

Well it's the big one tonight. Big if you're Australian that is.

Last time they were in the World Cup they pulled off a "monumentous" draw against Chile. Ok, yes that's right I said Chile, and what they don't tell you whenever they recount that match on the TV is that it was a 0-0 draw. Yes that's right, in the 1974 World Cup they didn't win a game and didn't score a goal.

But that's supposed to all change today.

Japan is a must win game for Australia. You don't fancy them getting anything from the Brazil tie, and Croatia will be a tough ask, so a draw probably won't cut it for the Socceroos.

I've put them down to lose in my tipping contest. According to the stats 70% of tippers are backing an Aussie win and 10% a draw.

Groo, any pre-match musings?

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Matchday 2 - Report from Sydney

Yes the England game was a bit of a let down after a good start. I thought after the deflected goal and the attacking moves that followed that we might be on to a good score here, but alas no.

Oohh that Mexican ref. He (Dracula) got a few swear words amogst our group. I was particularly annoyed by the way Peter Crouch would get penalised for anything like scratching his arse. I mean come on, he's a HUGE lad, he's going to knock the other players now and again but he wasn't doing anything wrong. Certainly not deserving of the number of decisions against him.

We had a lovely meal by the way, baked veggies with goat's cheese served in a pumpkin followed by Mandy's golden syrup steamed pudding. Culinary triumph's all round.

Yes, Skype skype skype...

We drove home and watched 10 minutes of the Sweden game then decided to go to sleep. A wise move. Great to see T&T get a World Cup point, and very good for us now that we're firmly on top of the table. Although the T&T game this week won't necessarily be the walkover we first thought.

Didn't watch the Argentina game. I was in bed dreaming of being pulled over for drink-driving for some reason.

Next big game over here now is Australia v Japan tomorrow at 11pm. The TV and papers are full of beaming Socceroos.

Come on Rooney, get off that bench and give us some England goals.

Three game days

Well, I'd forgotten the dedication it takes to watch three World Cup games in one World Cup day. It's exhausting, but I'm proud of myself for putting in the hours.

England was not all that good in my estimation and Sven's substitutions were questionable, and his decision not to take a fifth striker was shown up for the MISTAKE he'll never admit it is. Still, a win is three points and we can only improve.

You'll be pleased to hear I swore vociferously at the fussy Mexican referee, especially when he yellow carded Steven Gerrard. We played too many long balls and lost possession too much, especially in the hot conditions, I thought. The studio guests said that Sven's years in Italy meant that he's content to defend a one goal lead - but what about the players?

The most ridiculous moment though was when Paul Robinson kicked the ball upfield and it bounced back at him off the hi-tech video screen thing hanging miles above the stadium.

Sweden v Trinidad & Tobago being a 0-0 was the best result for England. T&T did extremely well, and I was delighted they got a result after going down to ten men shortly after half time. Shaka Hislop was excellent after being called in to replace the number one choice keeper, who tripped over going into the changing room or something.

Talking of goalkeeping heartbreaks, you had to feel sorry for the Paraguay keeper who went off after only six minutes against England after doing himself a mischief following a clearance.

After SWE TRI there wasn't much of a rest before ARG CIV (Argentina v Ivory Coast). Are there any World Cup three letter abbreviations which could make up a proper word - like if Wales and Russia were to play it would be WAL RUS? Never mind.

ARG CIV was another ITV game, and their commentators are really annoying me. It's never bothered me much before but the crass comments and pathetic attempts at humour are doing my head - Tyldesley and (yes) Drury are the offenders. A poll on the BBC website (no bias then) comes out 90% in favour of the BBC coverage so far.

I'd have liked the Ivory Coast to have got a result but Argentina were deserving 2-1 winners. They look top quality. The Elephants look very useful too, and are still very capable of qualifying from a tough group.

After all that was Rio's World Cup Wind-Ups (ITV of course), where Rio Ferdinand played Beadlesque prankster tricks on his unsuspecting England mates. It was terrible and I really enjoyed it.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

World Cup fever!

I am almost overwhelmed by the fever.

World Cup extreme display of flags

The country is gone mad.

Steven Gerrard: Sainsbury's football heroes head

It's also the hottest day of the year. Ever. Lobster faces and outdoor lager drinking ahoy!

World Cup inflatable chair

We need to fix up a Skype session Mr Brewery.

World Cup shop window tat

I was reading our 2002 journal - lots I'd forgotten!

Making preparations for the England game:

1) Looking up the Tottenham players to make sure that when asked Spurs related questions I can answer with some level of education. A lot's changed since I last saw them play.

2) Watching replays of the games from last night.

3) Changing my tips for the games tonight (for the 5th time).

4) Choosing trousers to go with my England top. Jeans I think.

We're off to a friend's house (English couple) to watch the game. I'm taking a bottle of Rosé and 12 cans of lager. I think that should just about be enough, but it's England so you can't be too careful.

Mandy's made a golden syrup steamed pudding for half-time. I bet they don't get that in the changing rooms.

Come on England. And come on Telepathy, we need your thoughts on day 1...

GERMANY 4-2 COSTA RICA

Hang on, World Cup opening games are supposed to be goalless bore-draws aren't they. Or if the scorekeeper is troubled, it's normally for a scrappy penalty area fumble or painful deflection. We're certainly not used to long-range thunderbolts like Philip Lahm's opening curler, or Fring's decisive final blow. ("Fring's that make you go hmmmm" as the Sun's back page perhaps?)

And linesmen getting it right, what the? Wanchope was definitely offside wasn't he? Well that's what I was saying to the dog on the sofa when I saw his first goal, but the replay told another story - a very tight but 100% accurate decision.

The Germans looked pretty good. Ok so their defense wasn't all that watertight, but they played well. Who do you think you are kidding Jurgen Klinsmann? On this occasion, nobody. What a great start to a World Cup management career.

The new ball? Well the Drury's still out on that one. Being 'keeper unfriendly might make the game more excting, but did you see how much it moves in the air on those long range kicks? You want the goalie to have some chance of stopping the shot - if the ball is moving around its original trajectory during flight how can he be expected to get a solid block to it? I forsee goals going in this year that would have been stopped previously. Probably the first of which being a last minute strike from Paraguay tomorrow.

A great game on it's own merit, but all the more appealing as the opener to an already exiting tournament.

Now back to bed.

Friday, June 09, 2006

I just ignored my own advice and entered the work sweepstake as well. $10 entry and $320 to the winner. I drew .... wait for it ... France, which could have been worse. My boss got Togo. I didn't even bother trying to make him feel better, that's $10 down the drain.

Australia is gearing up for the opening ceremony. SBS has a gubberama of programming from 7pm tonight, and the ceremony starts at midnight. The opener kicks off at 2am. I am not going to bed.

I have beer in the fridge, the heating's on, Mandy's making dinner and I feel prepared and ready to go.

Flag watch *** Flag watch *** Flag watch
There aren't that many flags in Sydney, but the Sun Herald (Sunday rag) gave away a free Australia car flag (one of those jobbies that attaches to the window). But they weren't very well made so every now and again you see green and gold fabric and bits of plastic lining the streets.

More updates later. SBS coverage starting now.

One Day

I'm mainly concentrating on the Metro Free World Cup Fantasy Football game, though I'm not that interested in it, but there's a small league going with some of the guys I play football with. Other than that, the office sweepstake takes place tomorrow, in the kitchen, two pounds each, big hat. Last night, I dreamed that I picked out Saudi Arabia and pretended I was happy about it.

The BBC (bless em) are showing all their games LIVE online so people can watch in the office, while pretending to work. Only available to UK internet users (licence fee thing). Is Aussie TV showing everything? There was some whinger on telly this morning going on about the £100m British business will lose by people watching the World Cup. Where's it going exactly? And who's losing it? I'd gladly pay £100m to win the World Cup. Just like Roman Abramovich's happy to fork out £200m to win the Premiership the Champions League and the Grand National.

London is awash in flags, hanging from windows, attached to cars. This time tomorrow...

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Tipster Tipster

The final reminder email went out about our Football tipping content today. Then immediately afterwards I received another one from Fox Sports about their fantasy league. Then there's the one on the Fifa website.

My inital reaction was to enter them all, but what with juggling work and waking up at 2am for the matches I need to concentrate on just one.

So I'm going all out on the work competition. There are less entrants, there is a 1 in 20 chance of a $400 prize, and beating people you know is always much more fun.

Now I need to determine my strategy - do I go for the obvious winners or do I look to slide away from the group with a few controversial choices (Germany losing to Costa Rica perhaps)? I've put in all of my tips for the group games, but I'm bound to change my mind after seeing a few teams play. Perhaps Equador will be a surprise qualifier, could Korea beat France, and shock horror perhaps England will win their first game - nah, that never happens.

2 days to go, I need a wee I'm that excited.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

The real Soccer Roo

Rooney headlinesWill he, won't he? Is he, will he? World Cup Willy? Will he Goleo to the World Cup? One has to feel sorry for Jermain Defoe, who flew off to Germany with the rest of the squad, knowing that he'll be sent home if Rooney gets the all-clear. Thanks for coming, the taxi's outside, go home and watch us on telly.

Sainsbury's Football HeroesI got a Jermain Defoe solid plastic statue in my Sainsbury's "Football Heroes" pack. If he does end up being in the team, I will display him on my telly. If not, he's in the bin.

Thanks to Player1 (http://www.blogger.com/profile/23289084) for recounting more memories of the 1986 World Cup where David Platt didn't score.

Nice to hear you lived in Thredbo as well, as this is one of the companies that I now work for. Hope you still use their website: http://www.thredbo.com.au/ any feedback greatfully accepted.

And if you want to buy a set of Harman Kardon speakers, great quality, cheap price, then check out my auction on eBay: Harman Kardon Speakers. Shameless I know.

Now Telepathy my old friend. Is it me or are there 3 days to go until the World Cup?

Airbrushed tallywacker

The love-him-or-loathe-him amphibian
Here's a page where you can listen to some of the 30 World Cup songs doing the rounds. This shall be my final post on the topic.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Just watched a great doco on SBS about England's World Cup history. You forget after a while how good some of theose games actually were. Like hitting the woodwork in extra time against the Germans in 1990, Shilton stumbling backwards after the lucky deflection, Psycho's penalty kick, Gazza's tears. Wonderful times.

There was something special about football in the 90's for me. Perhaps because that's when I started having distinct World Cup memories of my own rather than from replays (although Platt's extra time 1986 goal against Belgium is probably my earliest memory - I was sat at home in our living room and sepcifically remember jumping out of the chair when he turned under Gazza's cross and guided it home. I was on my own, the rest of the family didn't like football, and I was too young to be in the pub at that stage). Or perhaps it's because I was always a massive Lineker and Gazza fan (the Spurs connection helped) or perhaps because of Euro '96, I mean come on. That was the best tournament of all time, World Cups included. I don't think football for me will ever have a better decade than the 90's.

Now I feel all nostalgic. Game of Twister anyone?

Friday, June 02, 2006

"It's Political Correctness Gone Mad!"

Up Yours link

Thursday, June 01, 2006

RoboCrouch

Do you know, I am a bit out of the loops. I haven't even seen England's goals from the friendly against Hungary the other day. Peter Crouch's robot dance? A mystery to me, I'm afraid. It's probably on youtube...

Yes, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96eSrFlUVh0&search=peter%20crouch

'wot a tit' comments JROWL405.

Watch the World Cup on your computer with great sound from a set of Harmon Kardon multimedia speakers, available NOW online:

Great deal on computer speakers

Today I discovered a news article about me and my recent World Cup activities.

Ok that's not entirely true. But the headline caught my attention.

The article in fact relates to a scientamologist at the Bayer laboratories who is looking at a football with an eyeglass. I'm sure this is all in the name of science, but come on, really. It's a football. FOOT-BALL! The bloke who lives behind us could have told you that and he only got one GSCE.


 

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