World Cup 2010

[Horza]

Home Based Players on World Cup 2010 Squads

23 - England, Germany, Italy
20 - Korea DPR, Spain
19 - Japan
16 - South Africa
14 - Mexico, Greece, Honduras
13 - South Korea
11 - France
9 - Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal
7 - Chile, Denmark, Switzerland
6 - Argentina
4 - Paraguay, USA
3 - Algeria, Brazil, Ghana
2 - Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uruguay
1 - Australia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire
0 - Nigeria

[Jon AS]

Not sure if this has been posted, but this is a pretty cool interactive schedule for all the of WC matches, organized by groups/stages, national teams, daily match schedule and cities/stadiums.

http://www.marca.com...io-english.html

That is indeed a cool way to present the schedule. Thanks.

[Black Wizard]

Eight days to go!

[Renasko]

England squad numbers have been announced. Here they are:

1. David James

2. Glen Johnson

3. Ashley Cole

4. Steven Gerrard

5. Rio Ferdinand

6. John Terry

7. Aaron Lennon

8. Frank Lampard

9. Peter Crouch

10. Wayne Rooney

11. Joe Cole

12. Robert Green

13. Stephen Warnock

14. Gareth Barry

15. Matthew Upson

16. James Milner

17. Shaun Wright-Phillips

18. Jamie Carragher

19. Jermain Defoe

20. Ledley King

21. Emile Heskey

22. Michael Carrick

23. Joe Hart

I'd like to point out to everyone the first eleven there. Only a few changes in personnel from those that represented England in their last WC game.

Instead of Robinson in goal, you have D. James. An improvement?

G. Neville is out, and the attack-minded G. Johnson is in instead.

Beckham will not be featuring, though like Neville, events could've easily conspired for him to be there. The pacey and better suited Lennon is England's no.7 now.

O. Hargreaves misses out through injury, which is England's biggest blow, in my opinion. The next best player of his mold would've been Scott Parker. However, he has not been chosen, so they'll need to hope for Barry to raise his game. I do not think he is suited in England's current midfield.

England went with a 4-5-1 in their last WC game, but I think they'll be favouring a two man forward line, ie. Crouch plays.

[TheEvilKing]

Hey gang. I've started a Fantasy World Cup league on the official FIFA website, if anyone's interested. The code to join is 55257-82014.

Make sure you have a look through the rules, so you're aware of the scoring and substitution systems.

ETA: The official discussion thread be here.

[Black Wizard]

Seven days to go! :cheers:

[TheEvilKing]

Cannot fucking wait. I've got the first three weeks off work. The best thing I ever did. :cheers:

[Slick Mongoose]

Apparently Rio Ferdinand has injured his knee in training.

[polishgenius]

There's a shocking turn of events. He shouldn't have been in the squad in the first place, let alone the captain. Probably better for England if he is out for the whole tournament, as at this point they can replace him. Otherwise he'll just get injured again then King will get done and then England's defence will look silly.

[ljkeane]

Probably better for England if he is out for the whole tournament, as at this point they can replace him.

Good Lord I hope not. If he's out of the squad he's almost guaranteed to end up providing analysis for either the BBC or ITV, I'm not sure I can take having to listen to Rio for the entire World Cup.

[Renasko]

Still would have Terry, Carragher and Upson, even if those two can't make it. Perhaps England can recall Dawson to the squad, if Ferdinand's injury is severe?

[Slick Mongoose]

Yes, i'm sure Dawson would be recalled if Ferdinand is out.

[Paxter]

Sorry, double post.

[Paxter]

And now there's speculation about Drogba's fitness as well.

[Slick Mongoose]

Yes, Drogba's out.

[Black Wizard]

There's a shocking turn of events. He shouldn't have been in the squad in the first place, let alone the captain. Probably better for England if he is out for the whole tournament, as at this point they can replace him. Otherwise he'll just get injured again then King will get done and then England's defence will look silly.

Doesn't it always?

[Renasko]

Yes, Drogba's out.

Very disappointing. This would have been his last tournament, as well. I suppose Aussies will be happy to hear this.

[Alcibiades]

I'm very very saddened to hear about Drogba. :frown5:

Maybe featuring in that Nike ad curses you. Ronaldinho, Wolcott, and now Drogba all not to feature.

[Horza]

Very disappointing. This would have been his last tournament, as well. I suppose Aussies will be happy to hear this.

Can't really say I am, what with Cote d'Ivoire being in Group G.

[Paxter]

Very disappointing. This would have been his last tournament, as well. I suppose Aussies will be happy to hear this.

?

I think you might have us confused Ser Ren, we're up against Ghana not Côte d'Ivoire. I must admit though that I didn't exactly burst into tears when I heard that Essien and Ballack were out of the tournament...