Who's going home at lunch time?

[shaunbhoy]

Good call. Who did you have down as the winner again?

If you mean overall, then my prediction was Argentina to beat Brazil 2-1 in the Final.

[cailin maith]

If you mean overall, then my prediction was Argentina to beat Brazil 2-1 in the Final.

Fingers crossed for that result

[sasguru]

If you mean overall, then my prediction was Argentina to beat Brazil 2-1 in the Final.

2 South American teams in the final?
Nah, there are one or two good European teams who will ensure that is not so.

[shaunbhoy]

2 South American teams in the final?
Nah, there are one or two good European teams who will ensure that is not so.

Maybe. What is your prediction for the Final then sas?

[sasguru]

Maybe. What is your prediction for the Final then sas?

As Spain look to be runners up in their group but seem to be regaining tempo, I'd say Spain or Holland vs Argentina.
The Dutch are the dark horses this year.

Looking at the possibilities, if only we'd come top of our group we'd have a much easioer run to the semi-finals.

[gingerjedi]

2 South American teams in the final?
Nah, there are one or two good European teams who will ensure that is not so.

It doesn't mater as long as it's a Nike v Adidas final.

They think we don't notice these things.

[Doggy Styles]

Why? If memory serves last time they beat us was 2000 in a friendly. We beat them in 2000 Euro (1-0) and thrashed them in Munich during the 2002 qualifiers (5-1) and gave them their first loss on home soil since the 30s in a friendly in Berlin last year.
But then you're not the sharpest tool in the box so I expect you to talk bollox.

It was marginally more recently than that - 2001 in the world cup qualifiers, when they won the last ever game at the old Wembley. And the last ever game under Keegan.

As an aside, the unfortunately thing about that 5-1 win in Munich was that it kept Sven in the job for another five years.

[sasguru]

It was marginally more recently than that - 2001 in the world cup qualifiers, when they won the last ever game at the old Wembley. And the last ever game under Keegan.

As an aside, the unfortunately thing about that 5-1 win in Munich was that it kept Sven in the job for another five years.

OK I stand corrected re Germany match.

Re: Sven. He was at least consistent and vastly superior to most English managers who came before him. Qualifying for the world cup and getting to the Quarters twice is more than any other English manager did prior to him (apart from Alf?)

[shaunbhoy]

All turning out a bit like WWII. The French surrendered easily, the Yanks arrived late, and the English are left to fight the Germans!!

[Doggy Styles]

OK I stand corrected re Germany match.

Re: Sven. He was at least consistent and vastly superior to most English managers who came before him. Qualifying for the world cup and getting to the Quarters twice is more than any other English manager did prior to him (apart from Alf?)

Alf won it in 66 and got to the QF in 70. But there was also Bobby Robson in 86 (QF) and 90 (SF), and I believe Walter Winterbottom got to the quarters in both 58 and 62. I don't think we've had anyone else for two world cups.

Yes, Sven was consistent - he also got to the QF in Euro 94 - but didn't get as far as Ramsey or Robson (or Venables in the Euros, but he only did one tournament). The point is, I thought Sven overindulged the players and I was hoping Capello would do better.