An England vs. Argentina Final Would Have Been Nice -- But FIFA Messed It Up (Who will win the World Cup 2002?)

Member Name: travelnotes

Product:	Who will win the World Cup 2002?
Date:	15/05/02 (105 review reads)
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Advantages: A month of lager in front of the telly, David Beckam could get a knighthood, and the games are not in the early hours of the morning for UK viewers.

Disadvantages: The boss won't be happy when we miss all those days off work, England could be flying home early, and the winners have to qualify for 2006.

~~~ Who will Win the 2002 FIFA World Cup?

== That's an easy one...... the 2002 FIFA World Cup will be lifted by the next World Champions..... and they won't qualify automatically for the following World Cup, in Germany 2006 -- their place will probably go to Australia.

I could get right off track here and say Germany might well do it on home soil in 2006.... after all, history and statistics favour the home nation -- or at least a nation from the hosting continent.

The only country to win the World Cup outside their continent was Brazil; in Sweden58.

Of the 16 previous World Cups, six countries have won the coveted trophy on home soil -- even England got lucky in 1966.

The 17th World Cup, to be held in Korea and Japan, is the first World Cup finals to be shared by two hosts and the first to be held in Asia.

How much the home support helps these two minnows lift their game, above the unarguably stronger teams from Europe and South America, remains to be seen.

This is only the second time that Japan appear in a World Cup Finals (France 98 was their first), while co-hosts South Korea are almost old hands; having appeared in five previous World Cup Finals tournaments (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998), but have yet to win a match or get past the First Round Stage.

Well, two host countries can't win the World Cup -- although theoretically they could meet in The Final.

That's highly unlikely of course..... and the other Asian team, China, doesn't have much chance in Prince Philip's eyes either.

So it really comes down to Latin America vs. Europe.

~~~ So who will the next World Champions be, Wise Guy?

Well, we'll know that on Sunday, June 30th..... but for a little bit of fun (and the chance to win 500 ipoints) the winner will be..... drum roll.....

== ENGLAND ==

Not according to the experts.... they have to get past Argen
tina, Nigeria and Sweden in the group stage.

If our lot manage the runners-up spot, they'll probably face France (if they win their group) in the Second Round and Brazil (presuming they improve on their qualifying performance) in the Quarter-finals.

Having done all that, England would then have to face Argentina (again) in the Semi-finals.

If England manage to overcome France and Brazil, they wouldn't have any energy left to last until the penalty shoot-out.

So..... England need to win their group, or hope that France and Brazil take a while to warm-up in the opening games.

I'll go for England to top Group F and have an easier route to the semis.

Argentina will overcome France and Brazil..... and it will be the South American winners who fade in the glamorous semi-final (that should have been the final).

No point going through all the other groups.... the winner of the England vs. Argentina semi-final will win the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

England will still have the legs in extra-time; with the game at 1-1. David Beckham will score the Golden Goal from a free-kick, seconds before the penalties are due to start, and Queen Elizabeth II will start to practice her "Arise Sir David Beckham" charade.

Italy have a somewhat easier route to the final but England will triumph, in a boring 1-0 win over the Azzuri.

In Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee year, the streets of England will be draped in Union Jacks for the month of June.

Of course it's a funny old game and anything could happen..... but I'll put a tenner on England just the same.

Actually, I'm too tight to put a tenner on England.... but if they do win, I'll be in with a shout for the 50 pounds worth of ipoints.

An England vs. Argentina Final Would Have Been Nice -- But FIFA Messed It Up. And just for that, England will lift the Cup..... and the England fans will be
singing about the two World Wars and Two World Cups, in 2006 -- if they qualify.

And if, by some footballing stroke of luck, Argentina lift the 2002 FIFA World Cup.... I do have them in my title. :)

Michel
http://1800-WorldCup.com

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