The Italians were immense, forcing the German midfield to start taking longshots and the full backs to launch crosses from further and further back.  But despite having the best of the middle-third exchanges, Italy only really troubled Jens Lehmann in extra-time. They were happy to build steady attacks with lots of links and exchanges, draining […]

How exactly has this team of workmanlike, semi-skilled, negative journeymen made it into the quarter finals of the World Cup? A truly shambolic display against a hardly awe-inspiring Spain, a walk in the park against the dismal Saudi Arabia and a skinny victory over Tunisia courtesy of Shevchenko tripping over his own leg. The performance […]

Now that the World Cup is well underway, WCH thought it was an appropriate time to make further contact with our correspondent in Germany - Herr Colin. He is currently working in Stuggart and living in Munich.
How do Munich and Stuttgart compare with regard to levels of World Cup fever?
There is a subtle difference between the euphoria in Munich […]

After England’s poor showing in the first two games of the group stage, newspapers are replete with suggestions for the rearrangement of Sven’s side. Lennon should start on the right; we should play 4-5-1; Carrick should replace Lampard, and so on. These recommendations are all underpinned by the aim to unlock England’s attacking potential. The […]

Herr Hippo told you so! He informed you back in March that Australia were a decent outside bet for the World Cup, and a 3-1 victory over Japan in their first game proves he was right! He noted that the Socceroos have got some pretty good players and, under the direction of coach Guus Hiddink, could have a […]

The USA would struggle to see off American Samoa on this kind of form. How can a team be so badly prepared for a World Cup campaign? No man in the starting XI can possibly be happy with his performance in their opening group game. The Czech Republic looked organised, fit and full of confidence, whereas […]

Whisper it, but there is a belief in and outside of the country that England can win the World Cup. With the team firmly ensconced in their Baden-Baden headquarters, pundits from around the world are tipping England to lift the trophy. While discussion in this country centres on holding midfielders and formations, they rave about […]

I’ve selected the players I would feel most happy to see stepping forward for England in the event of a penalty shoot-out at this year’s World Cup:
Frank Lampard has been England’s first choice penalty taker since Beckham missed three in a row. He takes penalties for his club side Chelsea, and I can’t remember him missing one. He found […]

Herr Hippo’s crystal ball has revealed that England will play either Portugal or Holland in the quarter-final of this year’s World Cup. He therefore sent his scouts on a mission to uncover the respective weaknesses of the two sides. Their reports follow:
 
Holland
The main weakness of this side is the left full-back position. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst […]