Posts Tagged ‘World Cup’
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
December 9th, 2009 | 
Author: World Cup – Fear France: England’s group of death
France's shock exclusion from the top group of seeds for the World Cup increases England's chances of being in a group of death.
More
Although Fabio Capello's men have been included among the eight elite teams, they could end up facing the French or Cristiano Ronaldo s Portugal in the first round.
The term 'group of death' was first coined in 1986, when Scotland were drawn with West Germany, Denmark and Uruguay – and duly came bottom.
However, England could face a draw that makes the Scots' challenge look like a walk in the park, with a host of strong sides awaiting including Les Bleus – whose 'hand of frog' goal against Ireland, set up by Thierry Henry s handball, caused a storm of protest.
The eight groups feature one team from each of the four pots, and the huge variation in quality within the pots mean Friday's draw in Cape Town will be absolutely crucial.
As well as France, England could face a USA side that beat Spain en route to this year's Confederations Cup final – Bob Bradley's team are the best in pot 2, which features teams from Asia and Central America.
And a strong Ivory Coast side, starring Didier Drogba, could complete the Group of Death, with pot 3 containing African and South American countries.
Teams from outside pot 1 will be desperate to be grouped with a mediocre South Africa side who, as hosts, are included along with the seven top-ranked nations.
ENGLAND'S GROUP OF DEATH
England
USA
Ivory Coast
France
ENGLAND'S GROUP OF LIFE
England
Algeria
Slovakia
New Zealand
The pots for Friday's World Cup draw to be hosted in Cape Town.
Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (Group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand
Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland
One team from each pot will be drawn into the eight opening round groups for the tournament from June 11-July 11.
Follow the draw LIVE on uk.eurosport.yahoo.com, with the action getting under way at 16:00 UK time on Friday!
World Cup – Theron ‘draws’ Ireland at World Cup
Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron had some fun at FIFA's expense during a trial run for Friday's World Cup draw when she 'drew' Ireland.
More
The South African (pictured), whose long-term boyfriend is Irish actor Stuart Townsend, made the tongue-in-cheek gesture just one day after FIFA rejected Ireland's appeal to be added to the competition as a 33rd team.
The Irish made the request after France's Thierry Henry was clearly seen handling the ball before setting up William Gallas for the winning goal in the play-off between the two sides.
Theron will co-host Friday's draw with FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, and Valcke confirmed that Theron pulled Ireland instead of France out of the bowl during rehearsal.
"Yes, she did, but it was only a joke," he said.
The 90-minute show will be televised live to an estimated global audience of more than 200 million people in 200 countries.
She will help place the 32 finalists into eight groups of four teams for the tournament which runs from June 11 to July 11.
The show will include an African musical spectacular, including gospel and jazz.
A host of sporting celebrities will also take part in the draw including Ethiopia's Olympic champion runner Haile Gebrselassie, England midfielder David Beckham, South Africa footballer Matthew Booth and cricketer Makhaya Ntini, and the host country's rugby World Cup captain John Smit.
South African president Jacob Zuma will be in the audience along with Nobel Peace prize winners FW de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.