England's optimism runneth over
- 1 Jul 06, 12:55 PM
ARENAAUFSCHALKE GELSENKIRCHEN - England's travelling media have arrived at the magnificent Gelsenkirchen stadium riding a wave of optimism.
We have all expressed justifiable reservations about the way England have performed in this World Cup so far - you cannot portray low-key and lifeless displays as sporting works of art.
But there is a tangible feeling around the media party that England will deliver here today.
Take a straw poll and dissenters are hard to find.
Actual firm evidence of why we feel England will beat Portugal today is also hard to find - but World Cups can be irrational things.
Who would have thought Argentina would have been packed off back to Buenos Aires at the quarter-final stage after their early master-classes?
If I am looking for evidence for this strange feelgood factor about today's game, I would plump for the fact that two years ago, on a night of colour, noise and raw emotion inside Libson's famous Stadium of Light, .
And that was a superior Portugal team to the one under Luiz Felipe Scolari in this World Cup. That's good enough for me.
Contrary to some outside perceptions, the English media do not sit through World Cup matches wanting England to lose so they can give Eriksson's a good planking.
Those who do certainly keep themselves quiet if that is their train of thought.
And as the countdown continues, and the media centre in front of me fills even four hours before kick-off, an England victory and a Wayne Rooney goal are the hot tips in Gelsenkirchen.
Comments Post your comment
I believe there is an optimism among England fans everywhere. Here in the Cayman Islands the mood is high among the ex-pats. We are all decked out and ready for the game this morning - COME ON ENGLAND!
Complain about this post
The first ten minutes against equador worked a treat with the Hargreaves/Beckham teamwork. Play it again Sven. Our right side is the strongest so why aren't we using it fully?????
Complain about this post
It is great to see some optimism coming through because we will need it against Brazil and Germany!
Complain about this post
England have a great chance today not only to live up to the nations expectations but to prove to the rest of the world that we really have a team that deserves to wear the three lions. With a manager that may be on his way out, Erickson has the chance to leave us with a legacy that will make the country proud!!! come on ENGLAND!!!!!
Complain about this post
Good luck, England!
Auf Wiedersehen in Berlin.
Complain about this post
At the present time, England VS Portugal is doing better than Germany VS Argentina.
The Anti-Racist Declarations of Beckham and Figo were the 21st Century Equivalent of two songs "Ode to Peace" by Beethoven and "Whenever I Call You Friend" by Kenny Loggins.
Although there has been no goal in the first half, the game was excellent.
Complain about this post
England V Portugal
The Ref: wheres he at mainly giving the Portugese players free kicks?
High feet we get a ticket, Portugal nothing, why is this?
Then Just before half time Arrgggg its an Argentian Referee.
Back in the eighties the Falklands dominated the news, and I believe the Argentinian people still maybe arbour a grudge about that, what are the Refs views on this and could it bias an innocent game of football, at least hopefully we wont start fighting with the portugese if we happen to lose.
I would like to see referees appointed from a nuetral country to host such important matches.
Complain about this post
For goodness sake watch carefully!!!! The ref sent him off NOT for what we saw but for the push on Ronaldo. It never ceases to amaze me that despite such experience commentators and pundits give the impression that they are watching another game. Th ref gave the free kick with no movement to his pocket!! only when rooney pushed ronaldo did he react.
Complain about this post
5 Mins into Extra Time & I think England will win - what's happened may be the ONLY thing which COULD stir them up into some fire & determination!?
If they DO, how about sacking Ericsson b4 the S-Finals (He has, by his SAD tactics & selections, disgraced the best group of players to attempt this contest in decades!
Let the players play as they CAN, possibly directed by - ??????? (McLaren & BECKHAM, BOTH on the sidelines, & Gerrard on the pitch????? !!!!!)
We CAN win THIS & even the next WITHOUT the dreaded Rooney - then let him shine in the Final, if given the chance & properly directed!?)
Complain about this post
I think that the commentry by the 91热爆 is un-appreciative of the skill and effort by the england team. They appear to give praise to the Portugese team and for a better or simular pass or play by England a far less appreciative comment.
Do they think that they will be able to cover both outcomes of the game and say "I told you so". This is just as the players were saying last week about the press/ media commentators. It is not encoraging for our team to have commetry biased as is the case by John Motson and Mark Lancaster.
Come on now and encorage the team and the nation.
Complain about this post
Ok, so the referee bashing starts again? Like last time with Urs Meier? Who, fueled by such fish wrappers as The Sun and Daily Star, received 16000 threads via mail (before simply cutting off mail) and 5000 abusive phone calls. After making a perfectly sane and correct decission? Who had to leave the country under cover and had to stay away from home for several days?
Kids, it's not the referee, it's your players who are at fault. They should learn the rules of the game. It isn't too difficult, not even with the small amount of brain cells football players typically only have.
And it's you, the English fans who have no f*cking clue about football and are perfectly willing to stage a man hunt if your players once again throw the dummy out of the pram.
Complain about this post
Ok, who's fault was it?
- the heat?
- lack of water?
- lack of barf bags?
- the referee?
- the 91热爆 comment?
- the WAGs?
- Sven?
No, wait, could it be that the players ...
Complain about this post
Wayne Rooney should not wear a england shirt until he can control him temper.
He cost us the match.
Complain about this post
HaHa portugal won .booo england!
Complain about this post
I firmly believe in taunting the British in the wake of their penalty loss against Portugal. Here is to painful feelings of negative emotions.
Complain about this post
People, can U make up your mind what you want?? First you proclaim Rooney a national hero and push to get him to play, then he's been playing and now you're not happy either which can only mean one thing: "be careful what you wish for."
Complain about this post
A certain schadenfreude for the non-English who respect the England team but wince at the endless media delusion and narcissism-by-proxy. The bruiser Rooney disgraces himself and England yet again fumble a PSO. Admittedly the Celtic Fringe teams are inferior, but England have not played world-class football for over a decade. Everybody knows it.
Dan, Inverness
Complain about this post
I'm delighted England are out. Now I can enjoy the World Cup without all the hype and hotair surrounding England, without all the bullying of Scots and other Celts to support their old rivals, without the sheer joylessness England manages to bring to every tournament they play in. If I was an England fan I'd be very unhappy with Erikson. His lack of strikers really bit him in the rear in this game.
Complain about this post
Well England lost, im not really surpirsed.
As in my earlier post, Argentinin Referee, conclusive outcome.
Rooney sent off, Penalty disallowed, to allow the portugal goalie the luxery off knowing how our striker will shoot next, its all what I said in my last post at half time. It was inevitible
Well done England you done real well for such loaded decisions, im proud of you you played well, and playing with only ten men, USA only played with nine and they lost too.
yI feel you were never going to win with world politics against you, either of you.
Maradonnas hand of god back in the nineties, self confession "yes I handballed it" if this was athletics they would be disqualified and the trophy taken away.
Nope its England, I know theres alot of Anti-English that rest of the world do not agree with.
Its time sport was seperated from this, and the professioanl sports persons given an equal chance of winning. fairly and squarly.
So finishing this post, and my time here, and seeing our royal family is of german Origin, come on Germany....
We look forward to thrashing you in the European cup... remember 5-0
LOL........
Complain about this post
"If I am looking for evidence for this strange feelgood factor about today's game, I would plump for the fact that ..."
... Engerland are out.
I think a certain amount of humility is now required by the English media. Your team was poor, unambitious, dull and your luck finally ran out tonight. Hopefully a creative adventurous team like Germany will win the cup.
Complain about this post
I just hope that the English fans in Germany can control their temper and don't do anything stupid ...
Complain about this post
I dont know what match people in england were watching.... England deserved to win?????? Come on!!!!
At last some justice in this world cup... England shows once again that they can only win a World Cup if they buy it.
Complain about this post
Rooney was "set up" Ronaldo's wink says it all.
If I was Ronaldo I would not turn up for training at the Man U trg ground he might end up winking with both eyes at once.
Complain about this post
What a pity, i hoped for a final Germany vs. England and now that result. I hoped so much your team would kick out these portugese actors out of the tournament, kick C. Ronaldo in his ass wenn he comes back to Old Trafford!
See you at the EURO 2010 and better luck next time. It was nice to have had your fans here in our country and i hope some old prejudices on both sides are gone now.
54 x 74 - 1990 = 2006
Complain about this post
I always wondered why Frank Lampard was EVER in the England setup. Today I could not believe how bad he was... The World Cup is for world class players and is dominated by the best of the rest and Lampard was one of the worst players at the The World Cup. How can England win with a bad Manager and so many bad players. Frank Lampard isn't worth a call up and should NEVER be in the team. Portugal need to cheat to win matches and I understand that and pitty them for needing the help of the ref. Ronaldo should have been sent off for diving. All this years World Cup has shown me is that cheating wins and ref's are uneducated and DO need the help of T.V. so matches can be played fair. England were poor and didn't show how good they were. IS STEVE MCCLAREN THE RIGHT MAN???
Complain about this post
At least Ericsson is leaving....I hope MacLaren makes up the players'mind that football implies intelligence and willing of win! I'm quite sure that if Alf Ramsey were the boss tonight, England would have beaten Portugal and Brazil in 2002!
Complain about this post
I thought the ref handled the game well. Rooney deserved to go for the stamp and Ronaldo didn't make anything of Rooney's push on him. The rules of penalty-taking are that you shoot after the whistle so no argument there.
Gerard and Lennon both tried to con the referee on a couple of accasions. Although I agree the portugese are "masters" at conning the refs, I thought they weren't so bad in this game. And England actually played better when Rooney went off after not looking like winning the game when it was 11 vs 11.
Portugal have beaten Holland and England so deserve to be through. Englad beat no-one of any stature.
Tough to take for England fans, but a fair result.
Complain about this post
Hey guys, congratulations for playing well!England did it right...but we Portuguese are best :)!
It was a good game and your team proved why they are between the best teams of the world!Don't worry,you already won the WC once (or more than once, I don麓t know :S)!Now it's our turn (we sure hope so)!I have to say you had great fans on the stadium, always supporting the team...
Now I'm going to celebrate...
Complain about this post
jumo jump jump go go go portugal do it better.GO HOME LOOSERS
Complain about this post
who put an arge in charge surly they got it wrong Roon WAS ONLY GOING FOR THE BALL he was fouled first.When are refs going to to allowed to ref for themsslefs ex reff.
Complain about this post
who put an arge in charge surly they got it wrong Roon WAS ONLY GOING FOR THE BALL he was fouled first.When are refs going to to allowed to ref for themsleves ex ref.
Complain about this post
Agree with Pat.
England played spineless, worried and negative football throughout the tournament.
I can't blame Wayne Rooney. Playing up front all alone... isolated, and fully patrolled by Portugese defenders the few times he did get a sniff of the ball.. with a gulf of space between any supporting mid-field players for the most part... trying to feed on a few occasional half-scraps which we're hoofed his way.
Negative football.
We never played through mid-field - that was dominated by Portugal who were fully relaxed there. And also all other English games this WC we never bossed mid-field, not helped by a very out-of-form Lampard imo.
Portugal's beautiful velvet play saw them tease, probe, and craft - to open and carve out numerous quality chances, from many different outlets - which the stubborn stone-age defending we had to resort to just about stood up to.
Only the sub Lennon really showed any English attacking spirit and creativity. Granted..we did create a few half chances but all of it rough edged stuff.
Can it get any more predicatable that hoofing it towards Crouch ? I just can't get enough of that.
Now we've got McLaren's reign to look forward to with his tacky notepad masterplans.
Complain about this post
I am now resigning as an England football supporter until something significant happens to give me new faith. I expect it will be a while... if ever. :-)
I wish I'd bet on us being out on penalties in the quarters. Was a banker.
I am kicking myself for having ever allowed myself to have any hope.
I am sick of the hype surrounding the overpaid primas in our team.
Do we never learn? Childish petulance gets you a red card. Penalties? Where was the evidence of preparation?
What happened to Lampard this tournament? He was a Jonah.
Complain about this post
Did you actually hope to win?? Beckham doesn麓t know how to play with a moving ball (with free throws his good though), Rooney is insane, Crouch (OH MY GOD) is just a deformed giant who eventually can let a ball bounce from his head, Robinson (who???), Gerrard and Lampard only promises, Owen, etc the list goes on and on....
Here in ARGENTINA we have a word for you: "PECHOS FRIOS!!!"
Worst of all is the craziness if the english media... nice to read newspapers before and after today.
Go home please.
Complain about this post
As an Roman I visited my daughter's family in Berlin. She and her german husband rooted for the english Team (weird - but ok). I for myself, am very glad to see the english go home. First for their Team (it almost hurt to see them play) and second for those lousy, ever-drunk and arrogant supporters! So many nations are here, so many, many happy and celebrating people. Even the Argentinians knew to behave yesterday. But after two weeks of world-cup the englishmen prooved that they are only world-class in drinking beer, damaging things and making trouble with the host's people (like seen in Stuttgart). If this is your way to treat with a real gentle host, you'd be better stayed at home. For the english people who are real interested about the game and who dislike those riots: tell your football-travelers, that this is Sports and not a war!
Greetings,
Vittorio.
Complain about this post
I've been told that English football is changing from that was usually played 20, 30 years ago. In part it's due to the foreigner players and to the wrong idea that England should change the style of playing fooball in order to keep the pace with Spanish, Italian and French
football. However, it should be pointed out the European Cup remained in England for 9 years! How? Because Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, for instance, practised the BRITISH FOOTBALL. England won their only World Cup by playing the kind of fooball Alf Ramsey believed in. I fear that the English football is about to loose its identity. It's a pity! Although the modern football association was invented in England (a fact that some try to question!), the presentations involving the English Team through the years are really below of the expectations.
Complain about this post
I feel sorry for England. The English team let us see a good match. They never give up. Very exciting. It's a pity that they lost their nerves in the penalty shootout.
I wanted to see them in the finals against us. Then it would have been soon enough to loose a game. Unfortunately this will not happen. So I have to say to our friends from England: Stay ten days more in Germany. Be our guests. Enjoy the party and drink some cool German beer with us until we will be WELTMEISTER. It will be the greatest party in Europe and you should take part in it.
Greets and consolation from Germany.
See you at the Fan Fest.
Complain about this post
If Ronaldo is playing for Man U next season I'll eat my hat. Neville, Ferdinand, Rooney etc will freeze him out. He's an arrogant sleeze ball...I would hate him to win a world cup medal.
Complain about this post
Im a British ex-pat living in Canada - Poor England they played well with ten men - Portugal should have done more but couldnt...I hope they go on to win now the Portugese have good fans and some skills and at least some heart - will be interesting to see how they play with their two players back.
Thought the ref was fair except the penalty should have been called Rooney deserved to be off.
Sorry England too much on one man again ...Owen last time ...Rooney this its a team game Crouch played well Why did they take Cole off??? Stupid move IMO.
AND NOT ALL ENGLISH FANS ARE THUGS!
Complain about this post
Poor preparation by an ordinary coach more conscious of his public persona than his professional responsibilities. A team lacking flair and cohesiveness. A young man, Rooney, who lacks the responsibility of a professional, who embarrassed his team, his club, his country , England's many and wonderful fans with his usual boorish , yobbish behaviour on the field of play. A captain who has been for years unable to inspire or to lead by example,a celebrity more interested in how his agents and sponsors can continue to fill his financial boots than in what is happening on the field of play, good passer of a ball, sometimes good at set pieces , can't tackle ' can't carry the ball, can't beat a man, can't run quickly enough, can't take a game by the scruff of the neck and win it as Gerrard has done many times for his club, can't get rid of him because the sponsors wouldn't like it, three professionals on tens of thousands of pounds a week who can't score penalties in the greatest game of their professional lives, a country more interested in the social carrying ons of the wives and girlfriends of the players than in the business on the field. Thank God you've gone. Now we can settle back and enjoy the beautiful game played beatifully by players who know how to do it starting with the Brazil France game. I confidently expect the first ten minutes to be twice as exciting as anything England produced during the tournament.
Complain about this post
We can never play like fancy Latins but...why can't we play like the Germans have played during this tournament ie attacking, running & shooting at our opponents again again & again? The sweltering afternoon heat & sun didn't stop the Germans against Costa Rica, Ecuador, Sweden & Argentina (3 of whom you'd expect to cope well with the heat) from playing like this, so please don't argue that England's players haven't got the physical stamina to play in such a way (and wouldn't it so good to watch?!). Of course, under Steve McLaren we will only adopt this style of play (if Middlesboro's UEFA Cup campaign is any guide) if we are several goals down.
2 other points:
1: from all the pre-tournament hype coming from the England camp and the media, it appeared that England only had to turn up and we'd be in the final with Brazil(!!). Until we win something again (or reach a final or even a semi-final) can we stop saying how good England are before every tournament? The proof is in the pudding- you are only as good as your next match.
2: Guus Hiddink is in charge of Russia for the Euro 2008 qualifying competition. We've got to play them...that's all we need!
Complain about this post
We can never play like fancy Latins but...why can't we play like the Germans have played during this tournament ie attacking, running & shooting at our opponents again again & again? The sweltering afternoon heat & sun didn't stop the Germans against Costa Rica, Ecuador, Sweden & Argentina (3 of whom you'd expect to cope well with the heat) from playing like this, so please don't argue that England's players haven't got the physical stamina to play in such a way (and wouldn't it so good to watch?!). Of course, under Steve McLaren we will only adopt this style of play (if Middlesboro's UEFA Cup campaign is any guide) if we are several goals down.
2 other points:
1: from all the pre-tournament hype coming from the England camp and the media, it appeared that England only had to turn up and we'd be in the final with Brazil(!!). Until we win something again (or reach a final or even a semi-final) can we stop saying how good England are before every tournament? The proof is in the pudding- you are only as good as your next match.
2: Guus Hiddink is in charge of Russia for the Euro 2008 qualifying competition. We've got to play them...that's all we need!
Complain about this post
Sven - Wayne you let me down.
Thug - But I only went for the ball(s)
Complain about this post
Congratulations on your clear, informed and knowledgeable (after the event) critique of the England team. All based on experience no doubt. And your experience of actually playing football and managing national and international teams is 鈥hat exactly ?? Sunday League ?? Or just Subbuteo ??
Let鈥檚 have a 鈥榡ournalist鈥 in charge next time 鈥 we would be sure of winning absolutely everything then wouldn鈥檛 we ?
Look in the mirror and ask 鈥淲hat have you ever achieved ?鈥
Apart from 'Chief' football writer. Mummy must be so proud.
Complain about this post
The writing was on the wall for England from day one,the wrong squad was taken, flair over substance indeed. How could Sven select his team without Johnson, Dafoe and Bent. Bent score the most goal as an English player this year for god's sake.why these three players were not good enough to represent England at the WC is a mystery! replaced by a kid two injured player and a six foot seven joker who after finally scoring his first goal for Liverpool was seen as an hero and that day a national holiday sort of. Two in the back of my head or this english squad, the dicision is easy, a no brainer if you would. Reality is what it is, you got what you deserved. Any team that playes one striker in this high level game doesn't deserved to win, it's a shameful display from England, you are not Trinidad and Tobago. Mr rooney you are a thug, and someone have to be brave enough to call you out, and stop providing sooo much excuse to cover up all his short comings, his reputation preceded him, he is a bully first, foot baller second. If you love this bloke then chastise him, what an ass, is this the attitude you want young english player to emulate ? This guy is so over rated and such a dunce, he needs more than a kick in his ass to wake him up, else he is going to hurt someone eventually an cost his club or Country games...help him to save his career, don't pat him on his ass.... kick him.
Complain about this post
We should not be too dismayed about losing in a QF on penalties which we have failed to do on numerous occasions rather we football fans should be more concerned at the way the beautiful game is overshadowed by overpaid human beings falling over at every breath from an opposing player and more crucially trying to intimidate referees into taking decisions that change the course of the game. Fifa in their indecision not to use video during matches have spoilt a game that graced sportmanship and fair play. Maybe I have been spoilt by memories of Pele and Bobby Moore who shook hands after one of the best World Cup games in history.
This World Cup has not been one of the greatest spectacles and to change this Fifa need to wrestle control away from the inflated and trip happy egos that grace the beautiful game.
Svens number two is not the answer!
Complain about this post
We should not be too dismayed about losing in a QF on penalties which we have failed to do on numerous occasions rather we football fans should be more concerned at the way the beautiful game is overshadowed by overpaid human beings falling over at every breath from an opposing player and more crucially trying to intimidate referees into taking decisions that change the course of the game. Fifa in their indecision not to use video during matches have spoilt a game that graced sportmanship and fair play. Maybe I have been spoilt by memories of Pele and Bobby Moore who shook hands after one of the best World Cup games in history.
This World Cup has not been one of the greatest spectacles and to change this Fifa need to wrestle control away from the inflated and trip happy egos that grace the beautiful game.
Svens number two is not the answer!
Complain about this post
There is nothing to do when one team loose in penalty shoot out no matter what kind of football they play, whether it is artistic or not and it has been proved again that penalty shoot out can turn a player zero from hero that happened to the Ayala. It is a bad lick for Argentina that in spite of having a good combination of experienced and young potential players which look likes a balanced team. The situation of the England is same to that of Argentina. Beckham鈥檚 injury and Rooney鈥檚 getting red card made England out of the match and it is really praiseworthy that though England lost their two major players, they could be able to make the scorline label. It was not easy in a match against favorite Portugal. It was their luck who played against them and made their dream to distress.
Complain about this post
this is the link, can you see this?
In the game England Portugal who took red card for violencia Mr. England Press ?
just same like you with your ignorance that don't know Portugueses people and there firplay.
Mr. England Press had passed in the week before game information that the Portuguese are dangerous and make dirty game.
Portugueses had deserved to pass 1/2 final because England did have guns to win the the force of Portugal.
Complain about this post
Lampard was consistently poor. Why was he not dropped? It can only be because Sven cannot disregard reputations.
Complain about this post
Dear Wayne
you are a star but when you were playing Portugal and Ronaldo
headbutted you he should of got a red card not you.You played excellent
and tell everyone else that to I have got a man u t-shirt and it has got you on the back
from kelsie
Complain about this post