England World Cup Blog 2010

Chris Killen - Players to star in 2010

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Sunday, 13 June 2010 11:21

There is little doubt that John “Chris”  Killen arrives at the World Cup largely unheralded much like his team New Zealand. Born in Wellington on the 8th October, 1981 this striker has played in the UK for the entirety of his career and is currently at Middlesbrough.

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Who will play in goal for England v USA

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Saturday, 12 June 2010 09:43

With Fabio Capello not set to name his team until two hours before kick off the biggest mystery surrounds who will play in goal for England against the United States. The contenders are David James, Robert Green and Joe Hart.

A quick look at the Betfair market sees Robert Green the current favourite at 1.5 (or 1/2 in old money). Both David James and Joe Hart still look to be in with a good shout at 4.0 (3/1).

Read more: Who will play in goal for England v USA

Is it already must win for England?

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Friday, 11 June 2010 19:50

England captain Steven Gerrard has said his side must get off to a winning start when they take on The USA in their World Cup opener tomorrow. But could England really avoid to drop points tomorrow, and still achieve success in South Africa?


In my opinion, no they can't. Personally I see the opening game of the tournament as crucial, and if England are to achieve anything this summer, they need to get of to a positive start and hit the ground running.

Read more: Is it already must win for England?

Mesut Ozil - Players to star in 2010

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 11 June 2010 18:32

Mesut Ozil was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on 15h October 1988 but has opted to play for the country of his birth ahead of Turkey after a tug-of-war between the two nations.

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Worst World Cup Haircut - Rigobert Song

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 11 June 2010 13:49

Cameroon defender Rigobert Song formerly famous for two important achievements in his playing career has now added a third - the worst haircut at the football World Cup 2010.

Read more: Worst World Cup Haircut - Rigobert Song

Paraguay World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Friday, 11 June 2010 13:13

Paraguay were impressive in the South American qualifying campaign, finishing just one point behind Brazil, and securing their place in South Africa with two games to spare. This will be Paraguay's fourth successive World Cup appearance, and they will be hoping to do better than 2006 when they went out at the group stage. Although not expected to make it to the later stages, the Paraguayans have the potential to score goals, and could surprise with their counter-attacking style.

Read more: Paraguay World Cup Squad Preview

Nadir Belhadj - Players to star in 2010

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 11 June 2010 12:47

Nadir Belhadj was born in France, Saint-Claude on 18th June 1982, but has pinned his colours to the Algerian mast in terms of International football, despite representing France at U-18 level, and has played over 40 games for the Desert Foxes.

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World Cup 2010 Blog Day 5

England World Cup Blog

Written by Joe Berg Friday, 11 June 2010 12:07

The year was 1999 and I was a fresh-faced (not really fresh-faced. I believe pizza-faced is the correct term) boy of 15 or 16, navigating my way through year 10 of school.

It was a warm spring morning and I was sat outside the head teacher’s office in a chair that by this point I felt was my own. I could hear the muffled voices but not quite make out the words being spoken on the other side of the closed the door by my mum and a couple of school staff. I knew, however, that I wasn’t going to be allowed back into class later that afternoon, but was instead probably going to get a little holiday. I smiled to myself.
 

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Germany World Cup Song - Give me hope Joachim

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 11 June 2010 11:32

With more than a little 'entschuldigung' to South Park and a remake of a song first performed in 1980s by Eddie Grant we present below the German World Cup song for 2010.

As World Cup songs go it's not too bad and there is a quiet mockery going on in the lyrics. It is called 'Give me Hope Joachim' in reference to German Coach Joachim Löwe and his lovely dyed hair.

The original song was banned by the then apartheid South African government. It reached number 7 in the UK singles charts and number 4 in Germany in 1988.

This version is sung by a group called Basta.

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Simon Kjaer - Players to star in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 11 June 2010 08:47

Simon Kjaer has a massive future ahead of him and at 21 years of age must be one of the youngest starting centrebacks in the tournament. Kjaer was born in Horsens, Denmark on the 26th  of March, 1989, but has already fitted plenty into his young career.

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Alternative North Korea Squad Profile

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 10 June 2010 22:54

Not a lot is known about North Korea.

Read more: Alternative North Korea Squad Profile

North Korea World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 10 June 2010 22:38

North Korea is a nation of secrecy, and the outside world knows little about the going's on in their insular state. The same applies to the nations football team, who will compete in their first World Cup finals since 1966. Could that be a good omen for England?

Read more: North Korea World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Opening Ceremony - Why do they bother?

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 10 June 2010 20:55

I can think of anything more boring than a World Cup Opening ceremony. Hundreds of schoolchildren and amateur dancers parading about in ridiculous costumes to dreadful music. No wonder Nelson Mandela will not be staying for it all - let alone staying for the first game of the tournament.

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Alternative South Korea World Cup Squad Preview

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 10 June 2010 20:25

In 2002 South Korea stunned the world by reaching the semi finals of the World Cup. Eight years on, and after qualifying for their 7th straight tournament, they will be out to produce the same sort of performance again.

Read more: Alternative South Korea World Cup Squad Preview

Best World Cup stories so far

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 10 June 2010 18:21

With the World Cup upon us tomorrow, I thought I'd take this chance to point out the most read pages as well as highlighting some of the better content. Not all the best content gets the most views and not all the most viewed content is the best but who are we to wonder?

Read more: Best World Cup stories so far