[Night Hammer]

I havent kept track of world football in a while but has Spain/Italy really fallen off that far to be a 2 seed behind Sweeden and Czech?

[Kie99]

Italy & Spain both got knocked out by South Korea in 2002 (with the help of very dodgy linesmen) and neither got out of the group stages in 2004.

[pyro-manic]

Hell, Wales beat Italy a couple of years back. They've fallen a long way since the early '90s when they were right at the top of the world rankings.

Not that I'll be watching much of the World Cup anyway - Wales have done precisely **** all since the 50s, and I hate watching England play for the reasons kara pointed out. I might check out a few of the South American teams, though - that's where the entertainment's at.

[karajorma]

and I hate watching England play for the reasons kara pointed out.

Now imagine they're your national team!   Further imagine that you know they have the talent to do better and you know what the biggest mistake they are making is and how to stop it. Now you're in the position I'm in when I watch England play. It's almost getting to the point where I watch the first 10 minutes and then turn off if they're being stupid again.

I have no problem with watching my team getting beaten by a better side if they've played their best but if I can spot such a large flaw in their play then something is hideously wrong cause I'm not even that big a football fan.

I'm seriously tempted to say **** it and support Angola instead.

[Martinus]

Rooney's amazing, not only can he handle a ball but he's so brutally ugly he makes the opposing team miss him as they have to rely on identifying him by anything other than his face.

I don't think the Republic will be getting anywhere far this time around unless they meld together well.

[an0n]

Rooney's ****.

[aldo_14]

Rooney's amazing, not only can he handle a ball but he's so brutally ugly he makes the opposing team miss him as they have to rely on identifying him by anything other than his face.

I don't think the Republic will be getting anywhere far this time around unless they meld together well.

I think Ronaldinho beats Rooney on the ugly front, though.  And the football front, but Ronaldinho beats everyone there.