And At Last...The World Cup Draw

I´ve been waiting for this for a very long time.

At last the World Cup draw has been made, and there are few choice matches to look forward to in the opening matches.

I certainly can´t moan about England´s group, although The Sun newspaper calling it "the best English group since The Beatles" seems somewhat extreme.

I really had a very strong feeling beforehand that they would draw the United States. I´m eagerly anticipating the banter between myself and my transatlantic friends. If they are true supporters, they´ll come out and join me in South Africa to support their team on June 12th.

Okay - so the groups are as follows and once again, i´m happy to stick my sensual neck on the chopping block and offer my armchair predictions.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Aub´s Predicts– Mexico and France to progress

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Aub´s Predicts – Argentina and South Korea to progress

Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Aub´s Predicts – England and United States to progress

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Aub´s Predicts – Germany and Ghana to progress

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Aub´s Predicts – Netherlands and Cameroon to progress

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Aub´s Predicts – Italy and Paraguay to progress

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Aub´s Predicts – Brazil and Ivory Coast to progress

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Aub´s Predicts - Spain and Chile to progress

That Group F is undoubtedly the Group of Death and promises to offer much.

It was encouraging to hear Fabio Capello, the English manager, in ebullient mood after the draw.

"It's not bad. We have played against US and Slovenia recently at home, and played well and won but when we have to play here (in South Africa) in June it will be different. Algeria beat Egypt and they are a good team. Every opponent will be strong because when you play in the World Cup, every game is not easy. Are we going to win the World Cup? We have to win it!"

What else can he say?

England, Africa and the World Cup 2010

I´ve spent the last 45 minutes listening to the first half of the England versus Croatia World Cup Qualifier. Two years ago, a somewhat stronger Croatian team knocked England out of the European Championship, but England seem to have sought revenge and are already two goals to the good.

A victory or even a draw will confirm England´s place in the World Cup in South Africa in June 2010.

My prize to myself on completion of my dissertation will be to travel over-land from Israel, through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique down to South Africa in time for the tournament. Now how cool is that?

Whatever you might think of football (soccer), the World Cup is an international extravaganza. Africa is the last continent i have yet to visit and i have now found the perfect excuse.

England have a good squad and should be capable to get to the quarter finals, if not semi finals. Watch them implode at any penalty shoot-out.

Ed. Addition: England go on to win the match comprehensively 5 - 1.

The sporting headlines in Britain´s tabloid newspapers go nuts this morning. Check these out: -

Bok of the net! (Daily Mirror) - Brilliant!
3 Lions in Africa (Daily Mirror)- mmmm
Get de beers in (The Sun)- only The Sun!
Ooh-aah Africa! (The Sun)- my personal favourite!
We can win it (Daily Express) - yeah...right!
Watch out world (Daily Star) - tee hee
World class (Daily Mail) - I´m sure Brazil are quaking in their nikes!