TEN QUESTIONS ON .... EURO 96 1. England and Germany contested the second semi-final at Wembley. Which two teams faced each other in the other semi-final and where was it played?
2. Which player scored the opening goal of the Final of Euro 96 and then transferred to Liverpool later in the summer?
3. Which two Eastern European sides failed to qualify from Group B?
4. Who scored England's four penalties in the shootout win against Spain in the quarter-finals?
5. How many goals did France score in open play in the knock-out stages of the tournament?
6. Which was the only side to fail to score a goal at Euro 96?
7. Who was the top goalscorer at Euro 96?
8. The two eventual finalists - Germany and the Czech Republic - both came out of Group C. Who were the other two teams in the group?
9. What was the result of the group encounter between the two finalists?
10. How many of the seven knock-out matches went to extra-time?
Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments following the voting rounds today in Zurich, which left nine other bidders - England, Holland/Belgium, Spain/Portugal (2018) and Australia, Japan, South Korea and the USA (2022) - desolate at missing out.
By voting two new hosts for its showpiece event FIFA appear to be continuing with a policy of seeking to expand the frontiers of the global game.
It was not a surprise to see Russia land the 2018 tournament as they have been the favourites throughout the majority of the bidding campaign, but Qatar beating the USA in the final round of voting for 2026 is a result that few were expecting.
England endured a dismal World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and their elimination in the first round of voting today rounds off a year to forget for the Three Lions. They secured only two of the 22 votes today; a real kick in the teeth made all the more bitter when remembered in conjunction with their missing out on hosting the World Cup in 2006 as well. They now know that the next opportunity will not present itself until 2030.
The 2022 tournament will be the first 'Middle Eastern' World Cup, and the immediate on-the-pitch factor that stands out will be the searing heat.
This time tomorrow the hosts for the two World Cups following Brazil 2014 will also be known.
In a break with tradition, FIFA are set to name the hosts for the following two tournaments - 2018 and 2022 - on one day.
That day is tomorrow. In Zurich, Switzerland, where the governing body of World Football has its plush headquarters, at around 3pm; that's when and where the results of the vote will be announced.
For 2018, a joint bid by Holland and Belgium - neither of whom has hosted a World Cup before - is considered to be the rank outsider bid. England, Russia and another joint bid (Spain/Portugal) are competing to land the prestigious task of hosting what will be Europe's first World Cup for 12 years.
Because of FIFA's continental rotation policy for hosting, the 2022 tournament must be held outside Europe, and there are five hopeful candidates. They are Australia, Qatar, South Korea, USA and Japan. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw a maiden host voted for this one.
My guess is that England or Russia will win the race for the 2018 World Cup. It's really hard to call is between these two, I think England would be the right choice at this time, but I do sense there is some antagonism towards the English bid from within FIFA, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Russia were given the tournament. I'm expecting either Australia or Qatar to get the nod for 2022. The USA are undoubtedly in with a shout as well.
The 1966 World Cup winners have a very poor record in the European Championships. The tournament is considered by many to be a better indicator of a nation's standing in World football than the World Cup, given that the quality of teams that compete in the final tournament are much more evenly matched. On that basis, England are clearly lagging woefully behind the other giants of Europe who have also won the WorldCup. On five of the eleven occasions that they entered the qualifying phase of the competition they failed to make it through to the Finals. That leaves six occasions where they did qualify, plus their appearance as hosts in 1996 when qualification wasn't required. In short, England have only appeared in just over half of the European Championship Finals (seven out of thirteen).
Euro Pedigree:
After not entering the inaugural tournament in 1960 and then failing to qualify in 1964 following a defeat by France over two legs, England proceeded to get through to the Finals in 1968 where they faced Yugoslavia in Florence in the semi-finals. World Champions at the time, England fell to a late goal by the wonderful Dragan Dzajic to miss out on a place in the Final. That was England's last match at the Finals for twelve years, when the tournament was again held in Italy. England were beaten 1-0 by the hosts in the group stage, and despite victory against Spain and a draw with Belgium, they only finished third in the group and were out.
England again missed out on the Finals in France in 1984, but started as one of the favourites to win the tournament four years later in Germany. A disastrous campaign saw England lose all three of their group matches to the Republic ofIreland and the two eventual finalists, Holland and the USSR. In 1992 England again fell at the group stage and were lambasted by the English Press for their unacceptable performances. Two goalless 'bore draws' with Denmark and France were followed by a defeat against hosts Sweden which put paid to hopes of progressing.
In 1996 on home soil England enjoyed their finest hour in the Euros, only being denied a place in the Final following a heartbreaking semi-final shootout defeat to old rivals Germany. Prior to that they had destroyed the Dutch 4-1 on a memorable night at Wembley, with Paul Gascoigne and the two strikers (Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham) oozing class and confidence. Victory over Spain in the quarter-finals on penalties set up the clash with Germany, and despite taking the lead with an Alan Shearer header after only two minutes the game finished 1-1. Extra-time saw the Germans have a goal disallowed and both Darren Anderton and Gascoigne come within an inch of the golden goal that would have taken England through, but it was not to be. Defender Gareth Southgate missed the crucial sixth kick in the shootout. In spite of the defeat, Euro 96 was a tournament that England could look back on with pride in the level of their performances.
Four years on and England were drawn with Germany again, this time in the group stages. Despite a 1-0 win, England went home early again as they lost their other two games against Portugal and Romania, both by a 3-2 scoreline. England led in both games, and an inability to defend a lead at vital stages is a recurring feature of England's international football history. On no occasion was this more evident than in their opening group match four years later against France at Euro2004. England were leading 1-0 with the game virtually over, yet contrived to hand the French a free kick and a penalty in the time that remained, both of which were clinically dispatched by the brilliant Zinedine Zidane. To their credit England recovered to win their other two group games and qualify, but in the quarter-final against hosts Portugal they again surrendered a long-held lead and were beaten in a dramatic penalty shootout. Key defeats in qualifying for Euro2008 - against Croatia (twice) and Russia - meant that England missed out again on a place at the Finals in Austria and Switzerland. Qualification for the 2012 tournament started well with wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland, but England seemed to be slipping into old habits earlier this month as they stuttered to a 0-0 draw at home to Montenegro.
Greatest Moment:
Surely the 4-1 destruction of Holland at Wembley in 1996 - one of England's finest performances ever - that confirmed their quarter-final berth.
Biggest Heartbreak:
Seven days on from the heroics against Holland, England were denied a place in the Final following more penalty pain against Germany.
With the European Championships a mere spot on the horizon there are literally hundreds of players in with a shot of reaching the final stages.
One player that seems to have almost secured a spot on the plane already (if England qualify) is Arsenal's wonder-teen Jack Wilshere. Despite his tender age of just 18 and so few caps he could actually wear them on his head and not look a fool making this achievement even more impressive.
Young Jack burst onto the scene last summer in the annual Emirates Cup tournament in pre-season. After being hailed for his skillful trickery there were some who called for him to go to the World Cup in South Africa but Fabio Capello opted against taking the youngster.
Now a regular in the Gunners' first team we've started to see more of the real Jack Wilshere. In his first appearance on our screens some 18 months ago he appeared as a flying winger, skinning players and making darting runs into the box from the flanks. However an injury prone Spaniard has left a hole in the middle of Arsenal's midfield and now we can see the player that Wilshere really is.
The teenager cuts a Scholes-like figure in the middle of the park, chasing back, stringing passes together and pushing forward into the box when needed.
The young gun may well give Mr. Capello the option he has been looking for in the middle of the park while giving England fans the replacement they've been searching for since a certain Manchester United midfielder retired some six years ago.
Brazil stated their claim for a sixth World Cup as they cruised past the fancied Chileans and into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win.
The Samba Kings put their South American cousins to the sword with three top quality goals while their other near neighbours Argentina also impressed with a 3-1 demolition of Mexico.
Elsewhere England were taken apart, in typically efficient style, by the old enemy and Uruguay sent the SouthKoreans packing thanks mostly to Luis Suarez, while Ghana kept African dreams alive. Japan departed by the most painful method of all - penalties - while Spain and the Netherlands did just enough to progress.
PERFORMANCE OF THE ROUND Germany 4- 1 England
It was billed as the tie of the round and for one set of fans it fulfilled all expectations as Germany destroyed England with a devastating 4-1 victory. SHOCK OF THE ROUND Lampard's goal that never was.
Germany started much the brighter and with assistance from a woeful English defence raced into a two goal lead. However after pulling one back through the head of Matthew Upson it appeared the Three Lions had clawed themselves back into the game when a looping effort from Frank Lampard clipped the bar and bounced at least six feet over the goal line before heading back up, hitting the bar and bouncing back down on the line.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer then showed everyone his uncanny Roy Carroll impression, grabbing the ball and launching it up field, more in hope than expectation, and suddenly the English players, fans and commentators realized the Uruguayan officials had failed to spot a certain goal. Lampard was gutted, Rooney was stunned and England never recovered. For Germany it was some long awaited sweet revenge for '66.
On the line? You cannot be serious!
GOAL OF THE ROUND
"...he's got an angle HEERRRE!"
South Korea had battled their way back into the game after Luis Suarez opportunistic eighth minute opener for Uruguay and were more than deserving of taking the South Americans into extra time.
However it wasn't to be for the Asian side as that man Suarez showed just why he scored 49 goals for Ajax last season. Picking up the ball at the side of the box he uses his quick feet to work a yard of space knocking the ball back towards the edge of the area before wrapping his foot around the ball and curling it a good mile around the despairing 'keeper and in off the post. Glorious. Uruguay 2-1 South Korea
Asamoah Gyan, Ghana Perhaps something of a controversial choice but the Ghanaian's third goal of the tournament against the USA sent the whole of Africa into wild celebrations and his outstanding effort in the lone striker role was essentially what pulled Ghana into the quarter finals.
He ran tirelessly and never shirked a tackle against the big American backline even after getting kicked in the chest. While all and sundry were expecting the Americans to finally break African hearts as the game went into extra time, Gyan continued to chase every ball before finally getting his reward when he latched onto a hopeful long ball and fired past the on-rushing Tim Howard. Great effort, great finish, great performance.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger's showing Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard how to marshal the midfield, David Villa putting Torres in his place after being left in the shade at Euro 2008 and finally the Brazilians, who just make it look oh so easy.
The tie of the Second Round - so much history bound up with this one. One of these two previous winners must bow out in Blomfontein today. Neither had a smooth ride through the group stage, and both have injury problems. Nobody could predict this one with great certainty.
For me now - and from here on in - it's about a feeling in the gut. Something is telling me this may not be a classic, and not quite as close as form and history suggests it should be.
MATCH PREDICTION: Germany 0-2 England
Argentina v Mexico
This is a repeat of the second round clash four years ago which Argentina won 2-1 after extra time. Following the 2006 World Cup in Germany I thought for a long time that Argentina would win this next one in SouthAfrica. My doubts started when Maradona became the coach. I am convinced that this generation of Argentinian players will have their day in the sun and win a World Cup, I'm just not sure it's going to be here in South Africa under 'Diego'. This is the best Mexico side I can remember. They will get at a suspect Argentinian defence, and there'll be goals in this one. MATCH PREDICTION: Argentina 2-2 Mexico Mexico will break Maradona's heart by progressing on penalties.
It's hard to imagine that England will not improve on last Friday's dismal display, but their problem will be that Slovenia only need a draw and will set up to frustrate the Three Lions. England will scrape over the line though.
USA 0-0 Algeria
Algeria know that victory would give them a chance of going through. I expect a tight start, but the game will open up. Both sides to end frustrated though, and the scoresheet blank.
Ghana 1-1 Germany
Africa's hopes are now largely resting on Ghana's shoulders, and they won't disappoint. A point here will take them through, Germany will scrape through too.
Australia 1-0 Serbia
The Aussies will finish with a win but it won't be enough to save their World Cup.
It's do or die time at the World Cup. With the last round of group games to take place over the next few days, heartache, joy and drama awaits.
As always, it's squeaky bum time for quite a few of the big boys. France, runners-up four years ago, have the most difficult situation as their destiny is out of their hands. They have to beat South Africa in their last game - probably by a few goals - and hope that Mexico and Uruguay don't play out a draw which would take them both through. And by the way, in case you haven't heard, the French squad refused to train today - in protest at the sending home of Nicolas Anelka. France appear to be in complete meltdown, and barring an extraordinary turnaround their World Cup looks over.
The defending champions Italy have just played out a frustrating 1-1 draw with New Zealand, a result which leaves their progress out of Group F in doubt. Their situation suddenly has a similar look about it to that of England in Group C, who have registered two points from their opening two games against the USA and Algeria. England face Slovenia on Wednesday afternoon and Italy will play Slovakia 24 hours later; and both nations are facing the very real possibility of the unthinkable - elimination from the World Cup at the group stage.
Of the two, I would say England have the more difficult task, simply because their last game is against the group leaders who only need a point to ensure their qualification and at the same time almost certainly put England out. Slovenia may well pack players behind the ball and seek to frustrate England, something the Algerians did to great effect. Italy, on the other hand, should have more of a chance to get at their opponents Slovakia, for whom a draw will count for nothing.
The World Cup only comes round every four years, and that's why it is felt so passionately by fans everywhere. It's so intense, a defeat in the group stages is felt so deeply and is taken so personally. It's the end of the world until the next game.
Four years is also enough time for us to forget certain realities about the World Cup. The things that seem impossible when you are living the roller-coaster ride of the tournament, in the intensity of the moment, can be the very realities that actually come to pass. Let me invite you to remember history as I try to sell to you the extreme importance of sneaking through the back door into the knock-out stages.
Cast you mind back if you can to Italia 90. Defending champions Argentina were shambolic in their opening game against Cameroon and went down 1-0. They recovered to beat the Soviet Union and draw with Romania, results which saw them qualify as one of four best third placed teams. Their reward was a second round clash with Brazil, who had cruised their group with three wins. You can guess what happened if you don't remember...Yes, Argentina put Brazil out 1-0 in an extraordinary game, and went on to win their quarter-final and semi-final on penalties against Yugoslavia and Italy respectively. Argentina were a poor side and rode their luck, but having sneaked through the back door in their group they ended up in the Final.
Four years later at USA 94 the Italians also made it to the Final despite having lost their opening match against the Republic of Ireland. That group ended up with all four teams finishing on four points each (the only time in World Cup history that this has ever happened) and Italy - as Argentina had done four years earlier - only qualified in third place. In the second round only a last minute equalizer by Roberto Baggio staved off a shock defeat to Nigeria.
The Italians in 1982 provide us with another spectacular example of how things can turn round for a team - and for an individual player. Italy drew all three of their group games against Peru, Poland and Cameroon - only scoring two goals in the process. They only went through by virtue of having scored one more goal than Cameroon. After that, nobody was talking about Italy as potential World Champions that year, especially when in the second group phase they were paired with Argentina and Brazil, with only one semi-final place available amongst the three of them. However, Italy beat them both in the space of six days and went on to beat Poland in the semi-final and West Germany in the Final. Italian striker Paulo Rossi had done nothing at all in the first group phase but his manager stuck faith with him, and his hat-trick against Brazil opened the floodgates. Two more in the semi and the opening goal in the Final gave Rossi six goals in three games and the Golden Boot.
As despondent as English, French, Italian - and perhaps even Spanish - fans may be feeling, take heart from this history lesson of the World Cup. The back door is still open. The team that dares may just sneak through it and find that it opens up to the Promised Land. This week will contain tears, and the dreams of some will die over the next few days. But strange things happen in football, just as they do in life. Three weeks tonight we could be gearing up for a France v Italy Final again. Or England v Spain. You never know.
Serbia 1-0 Germany The Germans have a very poor record against sides from Eastern Europe and Serbia have all to play for after defeat in their opening game.
Slovenia 1-0 USA
Buoyed by the win over Algeria, Slovenia can book their place in the last 16 with a win today.
England 2-0 Algeria
Jittery England will make their fans sweat but scrape the win they desperately need. I think.. Either that or another draw.
So with just twenty minutes or so left until South Africa play their second game of the tournament we have little time left to reflect on the opening round of fixtures, although maybe we shouldn't look back for too long.
It's not much to look at after all, most of the talk has been about the lack of action and excitement. With just two games containing more than two goals and Germany the only team to bag more than a brace, the competition has been somewhat bereft of world class football.
Some blame the ball, some blame the altitude, most blame the Vuvuzelas. But as far as I can see it's been a case of the big boys not playing well and the underdogs giving all they've got. The biggest surprise undoubtedly came in the final match of the first round of fixtures as GelsonFernandes converted the ugliest goal in World Cup history to help his Swiss friends secure a shock victory over bookies favourites Spain.
However the series of results has provided one of the most open World Cups in recent history with nobody written off as possible qualifiers for the last sixteen. In fact underdogs such as South Korea, Slovenia and Japan could secure qualification for the knockout stages with victory in their second games. While lowly New Zealand and North Korea put up spirited performances against Slovakia and Brazil respectively to prove there are no easy games at the World Cup.
Perhaps there's one thing that we always fail to remember about football; It's totally unpredictable. But we'll never stop trying to predict it.
World Cup-Latest predictions for Saturday games at the World Cup:
Greece 0-1 South Korea
The spirited Asians will have just enough to win by a single goal.
Argentina 2-1 Nigeria Maradona to get lucky in what I think will be a tight game. The Africans will have great support and will get at the Argentinian defence.
England 2-1 USA
I'm not expecting a classic here. If England hit the ground running they might build up a lead, but the USA will be so up for this one as it's so key to the outcome of the Group C.
Manchester United and Portugalwinger Nani is the latest player to fall victim to an emerging World Cup curse, after being ruled out of the showpiece event.
Portugal confirmed the news in a team statement saying, "After tests we conclude he is unfit to participate in the World Cup."
The 23 year-old suffered a shoulder injury in training on Friday and tests have confirmed he will not be fit for the tournament.
England skipper Rio Ferdinand has already been ruled out of the World Cup whileCôted'Ivoire captain DidierDrogba is touch and go after suffering a broken arm in a warm-up game against Japan. The African nations have suffered badly with injuries with Drogba's club mates John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien having been ruled out of action for Nigeria and Ghana respectively.
The fitness of Dutch winger ArjenRobben remains a major concern for Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk after the Bayern Munich winger limped out of his side's 6-1 win over Hungary last week.
However it is better news for Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios who has been passed fit to play, as has Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Initial fears that both would be unable to make the tournament have proven unfounded.
England cruised to a 3-0 win over South African club side Platinum Stars as they completed their warm-up for the World Cup.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe got England off to a great start when he tapped home Steven Gerrard's lay-off in the third minute of the game but the Three Lions struggled to find their form in the first half.
The Platinum Stars had a chance to level from the spot shortly after Defoe's strike but Bradley Grobler fired his penalty harmlessly over the crossbar.
Joe Cole, the only England player to complete the whole ninety minutes, got the second after a quick break from Wayne Rooney before Rooney got himself on the score sheet as he volleyed home James Milner's cross to round off the best move of the match.
The match had many pundits and fans fearing the worst due to the close proximity of England's opening game against the USA on Saturday but the team managed to come through the game without picking up any injuries.
Many questions remain unanswered as to Capello's preferred starting line-up with few England players doing anything to confirm their place on the team sheet in this final warm-up game.
All four strikers got forty five minutes on the pitch with Spurs striker Peter Crouch partnering his club mate, Defoe, in the first half before the pair were replaced by Emile Heskey and Rooney at half time.
This leaves the question unanswered as to who will partner Rooney against the USA with neither Crouch nor Heskey having an impact on the game. It would be something of a surprise should pint-sized Defoe make the first eleven as that would surely see Rooney play a deeper role to support his strike partner, something Fabio Capello has shied away from in the past.
There also remains questions as to who will start on the flanks for England with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon both desperate to fill the right midfield berth. However Joe Cole's performance may have done enough to convince Capello he is worthy of starting on the left with Steven Gerrard moving into the middle to partner Frank Lampard.
Ledley King seems set to partner John Terry in defence after Rio Ferdinand's heart wrenching injury in training, while it still remains a mystery who will wear the gloves for the Three Lions.
Joe Hart started today's game and was replaced by Rob Green at half time although neither were given much of a chance to prove their worth. Portsmouth's David James is the most experienced of the three and has been handed the No. 1 by Capello which would make him the favourite to start in Rustenberg.
There's certainly plenty of decisions left for Fabio to make.
Strong rumours out of Wembley today suggest that Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will not be making England's 23-man squad for the World Cup Finals.
The youngster has been a fixture of Fabio Capello's team since the Italian took charge of the national side and repaid his manager's faith with a magnificent hat-trick against against Croatia in Zagreb during the qualification stages.
However that glowing performance has faded over time and his inability to command a regular spot for his club appears to have seriously shaken his confidence and his form for England has perhaps made the decision to leave him off the plane somewhat justified.
Manchester City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips seems set to take his place on the plane whilst his teammate Adam Johnson appears to have lost out to Chelsea's Joe Cole in the battle for the left midfield berth.
Others expected to be excluded from the squad are Sunderland striker Darren Bent and Everton left-back Leighton Baines who has been suggested to have suffered from home sickness.
News is yet to be confirmed over Gareth Barry, the only man to play in every qualifier for England, who has been suffering with injury over the past couple of weeks.
There's no denying it, we may be thirty days from the start of the tournament but South Africa 2010 is well and truly in full swing.
With squads being announced left, right and centre there is talking point after talking point arising from all corners of the globe and believe it or not there's the odd metatarsal raising it's ugly head, or toe as the case may be.
It seems that South Africa will be a World Cup that will make new international superstars rather than showcasing the ones we are already familiar with. Maradona kicked things off by giving Argentina fans something of a head scratcher as he left out not one, not two, but three big names in his provisional squad.
The legend has left the trio of Javier Zanetti, Fernando Gago and Esteban Cambiasso without a seat on the plane to South Africa. In an apparent catching trend Ronaldinho has been omitted by the Brazilians, Ruud van Nistelrooy overlooked by the Dutch, Luca Toni and Francesco Totti ignored by the Azzuri and Patrick Vieira left out of the France squad.
That crazy Raymond Domenech has also left out Arsenal's Samir Nasri and decided that Real Madrid's £30 million striker Karim Benzema is not one of the top eight French strikers with the twenty-two year old told to take a holiday somewhere other than South Africa this summer.
In other news, Mexico have named just five midfielders in a thirty man squad and New Zealand have selected two men who don't have clubs.
On the home front it's somewhat less surprising that there is no Michael Owen in the England squad and for injury reasons David Beckham has also missed out. However don't think Fabio Capello has it all that easy, since naming Rio Ferdinand the new England captain the Manchester United defender has struggled to string two games together while there are strong whispers that John Terry has done his metatarsal (that's a toe to us simpletons).
The first choice replacement is Tottenham Hotspur's Ledley King, a man who has such injury problems that he doesn't train for the Premier League outfit, but admittedly it doesn't seem to effect his performances on the pitch. King was an integral part of Spurs successful charge to fourth place this season and you'd bet your house on him to put his career on the line for the cause.
Other backups in the centre back position are the untried Michael Dawson, the uninspiring Matty Upson and the un-retired Jamie Carragher all of whom would have to string together an immediate understanding to give England some leadership at the back.
When is this tournament over? I've already got a headache.
A number of squads, be they preliminary, provisional or predictable have now be announced for this summer's World Cup, with the tournament just over thirty days away.
Today England manager Fabio Capello announced his thirty-strong provisional squad with many rumours circling around possible surprise inclusions. Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has come out of international retirement to answer the Italian's call while no less than six Tottenham players have made the first draft of the national squad.
Darren Bent is another player to perhaps unfairly be named as a 'surprise' inclusion, after all what more can a striker do to get in the England team if 24 league goals isn't enough? Other mild surprises were those of West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and the injured Gareth Barry who had been expected to miss out.
Capello will now scrutinise his thirty men over the coming weeks before the players are given their final chance to impress in the friendlies with Mexico and Japan at the end of May. He will then announce his final 23 man squad on June 1st, just ten days before the start of the tournament.
England aren't the only team to announce their squad however, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Ghana, Portugal, Nigeria, Spain and hosts South Africa are just a few of the nations to have named a squad in some capacity.
The Sun Newspaper recently ran an article listing a number of coincidences which they claim point to it being England's turn to lift the World Cup this summer.
Now I'm not one for superstitions, other than the regulation pre-match toilet stop, but the lengthy list of comparisons between the last (and only) time England tasted glory in 1966 and this year certainly caught my attention.
Here's just a selection of the spooky occurrences:
1966 was a General Election year. So is 2010.
The victory year saw a new Dr Who on TV, as Patrick Troughton took over from William Hartnell. In 2010, Matt Smith replaced David Tennant.
North Korea have only qualified twice - in 1966 and 2010.
In 1966, Spain were the European champions. In 2010 the reigning European champs are... Spain.
Only twice have England, North Korea, Uruguay, Mexico, France, Argentina, Portugal and Germany all appeared in the same World Cup Finals - in 1966 and 2010.
The English World Cup-winning captain, Bobby Moore, began his career at West Ham - just like 2010 captain Rio Ferdinand.
England's opponents in their 1966 opening match, Uruguay, featured a father and son combination - coach Ondino Viera and his boy Milton. England start their 2010 campaign against the USA, managed by Bob Bradley and with his son Michael in the squad.
The opening of Parliament was first televised in 1966. Thursday night saw the first TV debate between prime ministerial candidates.
(This one's my personal favourite) In their winning year, France, Mexico and Uruguay were drawn in the same World Cup group as hosts England. This year France, Mexico and Uruguay are in a group with hosts South Africa.
This is a dead cert, I'm getting down the bookies.
The announcement of the latest FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings has seen European Champions Spain retain top spot ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands.
The top three remain unchanged for the fifth successive month, since November 2009, but the rest of the top ten saw some considerable action this month.
Former World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has seen his Portugal side move up two places to fourth at the expense of defending World Champions Italy and three-time winners Germany who both drop a place to fifth and sixth respectively.
Meanwhile Fabio Capello's England climbed the rankings for the second successive month as they jumped one place to seventh with France dropping down to eighth.
Croatia re-entered the top ten just behind Argentina who are unmoved in ninth, while Australia have now broken into the top twenty after moving up four places to 19th.
This summer's hosts South Africa, have fallen seven places to 88th.
This month's biggest gainers were Senegal who climbed an impressive 22 places to 72nd whilst the biggest losers were Guam who fell 14 places to 196.
