Love This A Lot

Part 1

Part 2

'Sluggish' England Into Quarter

25 June 2006 England 1-0 Ecuador - World Cup Round of 16

BBC - Beckham defied illness to curl home from 30 yards on the hour mark, but England made hard work of Ecuador. The South Americans could have gone in front early on, Carlos Tenorio's shot deflecting off Ashley Cole and on to the bar after John Terry's mistake. Frank Lampard missed two fine chances but England had done enough to win.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side will now play Portugal - after their stormy 1-0 win against Holland - on Saturday 1 July at 1600 BST in Gelsenkirchen.

The Guardian - Richard Williams
England have world stage and how the world laughs

...England, however, are a squad with pretensions to win the World Cup for the first time in 40 years and they should be deeply worried by the continuing poverty and confusion of their play. They have now produced 360 minutes of football without suggesting for more than a moment that they belong in the same tournament as Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Ghana, Holland and Australia.

Those teams have all shown, either consistently or in extended bursts, the ability to play football that depends on accuracy, imagination and teamwork. They have demonstrated character, intelligence and dynamism. England, by dismal contrast, lack personality either as a team or, except in so far as some of them have achieved celebrity status, as individuals. Even when they are visited by a rare moment of excellence, such as Joe Cole's goal against Sweden, they are incapable of building a performance on it. Sluggish in thought and movement, they appear to be making their games up as they go along.

...But Rooney's contribution, like David Beckham's free-kick, belonged to another match altogether. The desultory football from both sides matched the sultry afternoon, and the lack of urgency combined with the torrent of banal errors to try the patience of the 52,000 crowd. Long before the end England were indulging in habits that should be beneath their consideration, with Paul Robinson and Jamie Carragher booked for wasting time and Gerrard taking the ball to the corner flag to use up precious seconds in which, apparently, they had no desire to play football. This is so far out of keeping with the overall tone of the competition as to be thoroughly embarrassing to the coach, the players and the FA.

At the final whistle there was no real joy, only a sense of relief that England had been given yet another chance to redeem themselves and show, against all the evidence to date, that their presence among world football's elite is not to be ascribed to an extended streak of thoroughly undeserved good fortune.
[full article]

Robbie On Stevie, Bellamy and Owen

Liverpoolfc.tv - STEVIE HAS TO BE THE KEY FOR SVEN
Robbie Fowler

Hopefully Sven-Goran Eriksson has now realised that if England's bid for glory is not going hit the rocks like it is threatening to, he will finally build his team around our skipper and give him the licence to wreak havoc.
A lot has been written about Wayne Rooney's return from injury and the impact he can have on the team, but games against Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden have shown that Stevie - given his superior fitness - will be England's talisman this summer.

Michael Owen's injury may force Eriksson's hand to play a different way and if it does - say he switches to a five-man mid-field - then Stevie has got to be handed the role that Rafa Benitez has given to him for Liverpool.
Owen Hargreaves might have his critics but he impressed me last night, particularly in the first 45 minutes. I know from being in squads with him that he loves doing the dirty work, making tackles and closing down space to benefit others.
A central midfield axis of him mopping up behind Stevie and Frank Lampard will give England options going forward that they have missed to date. Starting against Ecuador on Sunday, they need to find the elusive ingredient before it's too late.

From all reports, it appears that Craig Bellamy will be joining us and that is excellent news. He's an excellent player who will give an extra dimension to the squad and will be welcomed by us all should everything go to plan.
He's quick, a nightmare for defenders to mark, never gives anything up and knows how to score goal. If we are going to overhaul Chelsea, we need plenty of competition for places and Craig's arrival will keep us all on our toes.

I felt sick to the stomach last night when Michael Owen crumpled to the ground with what appeared to be a bad knee injury. Some people have suggested that he has done something severe to his ligaments and I know from bitter experience the pain associated with that type of injury.
Apart from being an exceptional player, Michael's a good friend and he's had enough bad luck with injuries this year alone. I just wish him a speedy recovery.

Gerrard Deserves More - For Years England Just Can't Win Sweden

20 June 2006 Sweden 2-2 England - World Cup Group B

BBC - England went in front when Joe Cole hit a sensational lob from 35 yards, only for Marcus Allback to equalise when he headed home from a right-wing corner. Steven Gerrard headed in Joe Cole's 85th-minute cross, but Henrik Larsson levelled for Sweden in injury time. The result was marred by a knee injury to striker Michael Owen, who was stretchered off in the first minute. England will now meet Ecuador in the second round on Sunday at 1600 BST in Stuttgart, while Sweden play Germany in Munich 24 hours earlier.

Rooney: "It was nice to be back playing again. I thought we did well in the first half but the tempo dropped a bit in the second. We are just happy that we came out if it as group winners. My fitness has never been a problem and I feel really good, I felt I could have played longer out there."

Terry: "Steve McClaren told us that 35 percent of goals at World Cups are conceded from set-plays. So it was very disappointing to concede from a corner and a throw-in. Normally we are so strong in that department. But hopefully we've learned our lesson from those sloppy goals and will make sure that it doesn't happen again."

Ferdinand: "For the whole of the game we defended the set-pieces very poorly and that's not something you can normally say about an England team. It has got to be a wake-up call."
"I thought Owen Hargreaves deserves a mention because he has taken a lot of stick from various quarters and he has not been in a position to prove himself in the England team. It was disappointing that people were getting on his case before he has even proved himself. But he showed a lot of people with his performance against Sweden that he can play football."

Michael Owen is out of the World Cup and back in England
Sky - Wednesday's scan confirmed that the injury suffered in the opening stages of England's match with Sweden was cruciate ligament damage and the player may now not see action again until 2007.

Owen: "I can control my emotions and I can honestly say that when I was flat on my back with ice-packs around my knee, it wasn't self-pity I was feeling but guilt. I was sending text messages apologising to all sorts of people for letting them down. I feel really guilty when I think of the people at Newcastle United."
"As I left the team hotel in Germany yesterday to fly home, I told Sven-Goran Eriksson that I would be back out for the World Cup final. My tournament might be over, but I still want that medal around my neck."

Beckham: "The players would like to win the World Cup for Michael. That's what we felt when we came off at half-time We wanted to finish the job for him and we have done the first part but it doesn't ease any pain for him. To lose Michael is devastating for all of us. In big competitions, including World Cups, you want proven goalscorers and great players in your team and he is one of those. But the good thing is we have players throughout the team who can score goals."

Carra: "I am devastated for Michael. He is a good friend of mine and he thinks it might be a long-term injury but Crouchy is up to the task of stepping in. His record for England proves that over the last six or seven games. He has got a goal a game in that time. His record stands up with any striker in the world over the last few games. To get the goals he has done, even the best strikers in the world would struggle to achieve that ratio. I've got confidence in him."

Liverpool Lads Rule!!

15 June 2006 England 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago - World Cup Group B

BBC - Crouch, who had missed several chances, met Beckham's right-wing cross to power a header past Shaka Hislop. Gerrard wrapped it up in stoppage time with a stunning left-foot drive after England made hard work of the contest. Rooney came on, but it was fellow subs Lennon and Downing who helped turn the game England's way.

Owen: "It's been difficult for everyone. We're just not firing on all cylinders and in my position I'm reliant on the team doing better. If I get chances I'll score goals. But if the team aren't playing well and I'm not getting chances I'll probably be the quietest man on the pitch."
"One thing I'm not going to do is change my game. I'm in the team to be in the box. If there's a ball in the box and I'm not on the end of it then you can blame me. If I'm not on the end of crosses then you can point the finger at me. But I'm not going to change. If it means bringing me off, that's the manager's decision."

Eriksson: "We did shake hands. Of course he's not happy. He wants to play 90 minutes but if you're asking whether he showed a bad education because of that then, no, that's not Michael."

Alan Shearer: "I was surprised that Sven-Goran Eriksson took Michael Owen off again because when you are looking for a goal and looking to win, I would have left him on."
"Keeping Crouch on was a decision that was justified, but I would start Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney against Sweden."

A Year In My Life - Steven Gerrard

[Part One]
Love it! Would be great if someone can share the whole program. I've only found one part.

We Didn't Lose Anyway

10 June 2006 England 1-0 Paraguay - World Cup Group B

BBC - Carlos Gamarra put David Beckham's left-wing free-kick past his own keeper to set up a half dominated by England. It was a different story in the second half as Paraguay threatened more as a cautious England put themselves under unnecessary pressure. Frank Lampard came closest to extending the lead with two long-range efforts as the South Americans pressed for a draw.

*Update* -> a great article analyzing the match. (Well, I just found out that he mentioned almost everyone but Lampard! lol)
The Guardian - David Pleat
The stifling of Gerrard stalled England's momentum

Paraguay, passive first-half opponents, were forced to play more positively once a goal down and they deserve credit for stifling England in the second-half heat. Yet the key to the shift in momentum was born of three factors.

The principal reason concerned Steven Gerrard. During the first half the Liverpool midfielder flourished with time and space, recovering the ball and providing the passes as England played at the right tempo. England also used Peter Crouch to good effect and Carlos Gamarra and Julio César Cáceres were forced to face their own goal as balls were prodded over the top and beyond Paraguay's back line. Michael Owen, though not at his sharpest, got goalside and, even on the left, Crouch found space.

Yet at the interval Anibal Ruiz, the Paraguay coach, instructed his men to push up and support Nelson Haedo Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz. Carlos Paredes, in particular, was effective. Where Gerrard had been at the root of England's first-half ascendancy, now Paredes squeezed closer and stopped the back players playing balls into Gerrard for him to start attacks.

With Gary Neville and Ashley Cole cautious, the centre-backs lost their passing angles as Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were denied opportunities to get the ball wide or into midfield quickly. Normally, as one of the centre-backs gains possession, the full-back on that side pushes forward and wide to split the opposition strikers and open up the width into the middle third. At this point the deepest midfielder (Gerrard) shows himself to accept the ball to start the approach play. In the first half Gerrard found this room as Paraguay sat off. In the second it was denied him.

The second and third factors centred on Crouch and Joe Cole. In the first period Crouch was excellent. He offered himself splendidly to our midfielders and Owen was the furthest man forward. Crouch showed he does this deep-lying job well and can still spin and get into the box as the approach play develops. But, by substituting Owen, Crouch was forced up to the front of the line and Cole - who had been so effective - was instructed to play in central midfield. This disturbed England's rhythm. Not only did this mean switching Cole for Owen but, in effect, it swapped Crouch for Owen as well. Whenever Crouch goes up on his own, he is left in isolation and his team-mates tend to hit it longer. He can't run down channels as he does not have the pace, so England lose their shape and pattern.

England also lost a bit of energy with Cole's move inside and, with Paredes pushing tighter on to Gerrard, our football became claustrophobic. It did not cost England this time but it was uncomfortable. This World Cup is already proving that there are going to be sides who, if they are brave enough, can disturb the best.

Gayfutbolistas??

gayfutbolistas.net

Relationships Supposed To Last Forever?

Before Sunrise 35 EXTERIOR: RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Jesse: And this older friend of mine said, at the birth of his child--it was a home birth and he was there helping out and everything--at that profound moment of birth, all he could think about was death. That he was seeing something experience life for the first time, struggling for a breath, and knowing that it was going to die someday. He couldn't get it out of his head.

Celine: I think that's why life is so interesting--because it's going to end.

Jesse: I know. Death ups the ante of being alive.

Celine: It's the same for us tonight, though. If we knew we were going to see each other next week, it would not be the same energy, no?

Jesse: Yeah, I know.

Celine: Do you think we will see each other after tomorrow morning?

Jesse: I don't know. What do you think?

Celine: I asked you.

Jesse: Hummm. I'm thinking now...I don't know if I'm going to be in Europe again anytime soon. Are you coming to the U.S. for any reason?

Celine: Oh, God, I don't want to get into the practical side of how we'd see each other again. Flying. Let's be rational adults about this.

Jesse: Okay, uh, rational.

Celine: We should try something different. It's not so bad if tonight is our only night. Maybe it makes it really special.

Jesse: Yeah, usually you exchange numbers and call each other once, maybe write each other once or twice...

Celine: And then the slow fizzle.

Jesse: I hate that.

Celine: There was this famous writer--I don't remember who-- who said the ideal relationship was two intense years, with clean breaks, fresh starts, friends for life, something like that. It's like if you knew your relationship had to end in two years, there would be no room for fighting or wasted time. THere could be more love and appreciation for one another. It's like, if everyone you met you knew was going to die at midnight, you would be a much more compassionate person. I mean, everyone's going to die, but since no one knows when, there's all the time in the world to be assholes to one another.

Jesse: Why do we think that relationship are supposed to last forever anyway, and that anything less is a failure? But I hate the thought that we're just these ships passing in the night. I think the only time I get depressed is when I feel that life is just this series of momentary connections. I mean, of all the people you've ever known, how many of them are still in your life in any way? What happened to all the people you grew up with? Miss Van Sickle, my bus driver in frist grade--what's she up to? What kind of life is she having?

Celine: But for some people, there are no real good-byes. I think if you have a meaningful experience with someone else, a true communication, they are with you forever in a way. We are all a part of each other in ways we'll never know.

Jesse: So it's a deal? We die in the morning?

Celine: I think it's the only way. I don't want to cheapen what's special about our time together. If we push for something more, it's like we're trying to commodify ourselves or something.

Jesse: Okay, no delusions. No projections. Let's just make the rest of tonight great.

Celine: And it'll be ours forever.

Jesse: We should do some kind of special handshake or something.

Celine: Okay.

I Love The Quote From Stevie

Sky- Gerrard reveals title desire
Steven Gerrard - A Year In My Life, Sky One, Tuesday June 6, 9.50pm.

Gerrard was twice courted by big-spending Chelsea and seemed destined to join Jose Mourinho's men in both the summer of 2004 and 2005.

Despite lifting the UEFA Champions League on that glorious night in Istanbul just a month or so earlier, it seemed Gerrard was on his way to West London to join Chelsea after a misunderstanding over his proposed new contract with Liverpool.

At the last minute though, the Liverpool skipper changed his mind, saying that winning medals in anything other than the famous red shirt of Liverpool would mean nothing to him, and his family and friends who had convinced him to stay with his hometown club.

Gerrard has now lifted the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool, but is desperate to bring the league title back to Anfield.

"Coming back 30, 32 years of age with medals from another club, who have I got to show them to?" he says in Sky One's Steven Gerrard - A Year In My Life.

"Who'd be interested in seeing them?

"Whereas I wanted to stay even if it's to just win one Premiership with Liverpool, everyone will want to see it, it will mean more to myself and the people around me."

Gerrard also reveals that Reds boss Rafa Benitez entrusted him and fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher with the suggestion of bringing Kop legend Robbie Fowler back to the club, with their input helping the manager make up his mind.

"The manager asked to speak to me and Jamie Carragher about the situation and asked us what we thought and we gave our honest opinion and it was obviously private and confidential between the four walls of his office and, a couple of weeks later, Robbie was there in a Liverpool shirt and it was brilliant to see."

England Is Ready, As Well As Crouch

3 June 2006 England 6-0 Jamaica - International Friendly

BBC - Frank Lampard swept England into an early lead, which was doubled by Jermaine Taylor's own goal. Crouch scored England's third from a set-piece, before Michael Owen rounded keeper Donovan Ricketts to make it 4-0. After tapping in the fifth from Jamie Carragher's cross, Crouch blazed a late penalty over the bar but completed his hat-trick from Owen's pass.

Eriksson to use Crouch in opener
Sven:"Peter Crouch had a fantastic game. He won almost everything in the air and scored goals. I think he will start next Saturday. I think he deserves it."
"The only thing I would criticise him about a little bit is how he took the penalty. It was a golden opportunity but he joked about it and was sorry afterwards."

Do The Crouch! LOL

What is 'The Crouch' ?
It started with a few awkward moves on the dance floor at David Beckham's Full Length and Fabulous pre-World Cup party.
But now England striker Peter Crouch's robotic goal celebration is threatening to sweep the nation. The 6ft 7in (2m) footballer celebrated his spectacular goal against Hungary with an equally memorable reprise of his dance routine.
[more..DoTheCrouch] ---> brilliant site!

The Guardian - C'mon everybody..Let's do the Crouch
The 6ft 7in England striker premiered his own unique version of robotics at the Beckhams' lavish World Cup party just over a week ago. While Wayne Rooney gingerly wiggled his metatarsal and Rio Ferdinand archly clicked his fingers on the mirrored dancefloor, the gangly Liverpool forward was head and shoulders above his peers as he shape-shifted to James Brown's funky beat.

But supporters really twitched to attention on Tuesday night, when England met Hungary in their penultimate friendly before the tournament in Germany. At first, Sven's starlets failed to shine with their predictable adoption of Brazilian forward Bebeto's baby-rocking goal routine to mark John Terry's headed goal. It was, admittedly, in a good cause: his girlfriend has just given birth to twins. Then Peter Crouch took to the field and promptly upstaged his more celebrated team-mates. Spinning like a top to shoot as accurately as Robin Hood, he scored an immaculate goal and celebrated with an eye-popping display: face taut with concentration, he mimicked a robot as he moved one way, then the other.

Was it a stick insect after too many coffees? A beanpole spasm in the breeze? Or was it the stirring sight of the best kind of English hero - the unheralded kind - whose unpredictable skills might just bring home the World Cup on Sunday July 9? As Crouch shuffled, a collective gasp passed through the watching millions. Instead of anguishing over the merits of 4-1-4-1, or whether Stevie Gerrard should be stuck in the hole, England fans were suddenly thinking, hell, with moves like that we can win this thing.