germany 2006 begins in a few weeks. time to get a thread going for anyone's thoughts and opinions.

all the latest world cup news




ah ......the beautiful game!! joga bonita!!

tables and results

I remember when Rai started the penultimate World Cup as Brazil's captain. But was subbed twice and ultimately dropped as Dunga emerged as their captain.

I think Ronaldo is beginning to appear like that. He has more of a paunch on him than I do! Mgr is not afraid to make tough decisions when the time comes...

Latest odds...

Brazil 9/4
Argentina 6/1
England 6/1
Germany 8/1
Italy 8/1
Holland 12/1
France 14/1
Spain 14/1
Portugal 22/1
Czech Republic 25/1
Mexico 40/1
Sweden 40/1
Croatia 66/1
Ukraine 66/1
Australia 80/1
Switzerland 100/1
Ivory Coast 125/1
South Korea 150/1
Ecuador 200/1
Serbia & Montenegro 200/1
Paraguay 250/1
Poland 250/1
USA 250/1
Tunisia 400/1
Ghana 500/1
Iran 750/1
Japan 750/1
Angola 1000/1
Saudi Arabia 1000/1
Togo 1500/1
Trinidad & Tobago 2000/1
Costa Rica 2500/1

Any country from the top-5 + Spain, IMO?

Amities / Whereas England only managed to look pretty dire in one half , France looked absolutely effing dreadful from begining to end. The worst French side i have EVER seen. How we managed to win all our 8 qualifying games is a enigma in itself . Only interesting episode was Zidanne berating Gallas and defence employing every swear word known . While Croatia looked handy against a Brazil side playing its usual formation of 10 strikers and a g/k. Ronaldo Arbuckle is past it and l trust he wil be given a course 0f laxatives and amphetamines by team Dr.....Czechs look tricky customers while Holland have a balanced cordnated side but like England droop in the heat and after an hour players are begging to be subbed i .Spain NEVER perform as a team and have never done well in World cup to my memory ...Germany are as inspiring as watching paint dry but as hosts will reach the finals against Brazil to whom they will lose . lts Brazil for me but without Fatty . @+ J

Lee, check this out - I think this is what you were after (it does calcs. for you, as well)...

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/e/predictor.html

Bosley, I can't defend Ecuador by stating players as they have no huge stars but Honestly watch them and see... And if you have a will hill account put a quid on them at 200-1, they are better than everyone thinks just wait.

Spain all the way for me along with argentina,and of course the czechs,all at good prices,did have milan baros & villa as top scorers,

Dont look good for milan doubt if he will play now.

BAROS!? He is an absolute joke. A big stupid donkey who can't score to save his life, he must be one of the most overrated players in the wolrd. Villa is good bet though as it seems Raul has been told he will not start.
I got a bet on Roon at 45 - 1 golden boot.

Heavy punt on more than 3 goals in the Germany-Poland match.
Two really dodgy defences.
Should be a safe bet !!!!

Ian

OUCH!!!!!

Baros Joke you having a laugh,he`s 1 of the best goal scorers at international level,proven quality

He made a mistake joining aston villa,,now they are a joke,,baros to a spanish club i hear 8 million plus if he has a handy WC,,other wise he could be heading down the toilet.

David villa to the might reds,,now that looks on the cards as well forsure.

Mighty England crush Paraguay
World Cup in the bag
by Janus Motsonius
The England football juggernaut thundered to a stunning victory on Saturday, in the process crushing a hapless Paraguay who could do nothing but stand and stare in wae and wonder at Sven's merciless sporting elite.

The 1-0 scoreline courtesy of a virtuoso sixth-minute header by Carlos Gamarra left few in any doubt of the World Cup's final outcome. "I'm going home now," admitted one shaken Brazil fan, his maracas hanging silently at his side. "I can't honestly see us finding a way through a team of such international class."

His sentiments were echoed by a visibly-shocked Argentinian. "Eriksson's plan was simply brilliant," he gasped. "Let the opposition score for you, then pull everyone back behind the half-way line for 80 minutes. Genius."

Football pundits were mostly united in similar praise for England's masterplan. "The way we totally dominated the match by knocking the ball around the midfield and then passing it back to the goalkeeper if things got a bit hairy was the best single team performance I've ever seen," one admitted.

Another, however, advised caution. "We need a back-up plan in the unlikely event that another team gets lucky. Obviously, there's no point taking the ball and attacking the opposition defence head-on: nobody ever scores by dribbling his way into the box and slamming the ball in the net. I'd suggest we rely entirely on David Beckham's ability to put the ball into the air where, in the confusion, someone's head might make advantageous contact. It's always worked in the past."

In Dortmund, meanwhile, plucky Sweden were celebrating a historic 0-0 draw against much-fancied Trinidad and Tobago. "It's brilliant, this is what footballing dreams are all about," said a tearful Freddie Ljungberg.

The Rockall Times

I do hope that Baros plays so he can show everyone what a donkey he is, villa won't move this year maybe next when he is worth twice as much after becoming golden boot. I feel sorry for you dazzlers, that is money well lost.

New to this thread took a gamble on T&T to stuff england my local highstreet bookie was offering 20.1 ,england win easy i say but if the lose quids in.

first teams to qualify so far.

I'm not keen on her bos , and which team is the one at the bottom.

HT 0/0

Come on t & t.

Not keen on her?.... T & T are pretty lucky that England are such an un inventive boring side without the Roon. MY THEORY - Stevie G Frankie and Becksi Central with Lennon and Ashley wing Backs, ferdi and terry center backs with roon and JC upfront. We would beat anyone.

Its in the bag for a big upset.

England are so full of themselves they talk a good game,

but play like a pub team..

carragher up front well potts i like your style

I see the pool reds come to englands rescue



again.