Book Give-away

See below for details.

England 2 Japan 1

Warm up matches for the World Cup often tend to be untidy affairs. This one was no different. At world Cup Companion, we believe that England will be peaking at the QF and SF stages.

England 3 Mexico 1

England´s last home game before the World Cup Finals ended with a win for the team that is considered by many to have a chance for World Cup victory this summer. The team did not look like a potential World Cup winning team against Mexico, but neither do most teams at this time in the build-up. In fact, hitting top form needs to be at the quarter-finals stage and beyond.

World Cup Book Give-Away

Here it is! The World Cup Book Giveaway!!!! To enter....

<center><a href="http://worldcupcompanion.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="World Cup 2010 Book" src="http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac341/WorldCupBook/Frontcoverfinal2-4-102.jpg" /></a></center>

1.Grab "my button" and put the book on your blog. This will automatically give you two chances to win. Send a comment under this post, to let us know that you have done this.
2.Copy and paste the book on your Facebook. Again, let us know by way of a comment in this post that you have done this.
3.Talk about the book on Twitter. And again, let us know.

You have four chances to win. Leave a comment for each entry.
Internationals are welcome. Please enter before Tuesday 1 June, when we will post the winner´s name.

Eighteen Days To Go

It´s just 18 days to go now ! Inter are European champions, World Cup squads are being finalised, and everyone is getting excited. Tonight England plays its last home match before the World Cup finals. Mexico are the opponents. It is Mexico that faces South Africa in the Opening Game in SA on 11 June. Our book "World Cup Companion 2010" provides a unique guide for this year´s tournament whichever team you are following. Enjoy the book, and enjoy the World Cup !!!

Champions League Final

Bayern Munich and Inter Milan thrash it out later today for European supremacy in the Champions League Final. But what happened to the English Premier League clubs? I overheard a disappointed Arsenal fan heavily criticising his team recently. When reminded by another that his team had managed third place in the "Premier League!!" and that that was no minor achievement, he replied that the Premier League is not as strong as some suggest...! Could that be true? Surely one could argue that English teams have done so well in the Champions League over the last ten years and can boast of reaching many of the finals including an all English-club final two years ago...
But the fact is that there have only been three winners from England in the last twelve tournaments. Manchester United won in 1999 and 2008, and Liverpool in 2005. Perhaps that young Arsenal fan was right to be so critical of his team, and the league it competes in.

Steve Woods

High Altitudes

Teams will be playing at high altitudes in South Africa. England is preparing for this. The team is currently in the Austrian Alps, and will be based near Rustenburg in South Africa during the World Cup at an elevation of 1,500 metres above sea level.
Steve Woods (World Cup Companion)

World Cup Latest

As we enter the last few weeks before the World Cup kick-off, we bring you news of the build-up.
Michael Ballack the captain of Germany will not be playing at the World Cup due to ligament damage caused in a tackle in the English FA Cup Final on Saturday. Germany´s first match in the World Cup will be against Australia on 13 June.
Brazil´s Kaka hopes to be fit for South Africa, although there are form and fitness questions.
England might utilise a new formation in South Africa. We could well learn more following England´s friendly against Mexico next week.
A new rule will apply in this year´s World Cup tournament. Although feinting in the run-up when a player takes a penalty is still permitted, feinting to kick the ball once the penalty taker has completed the run-up is now an infringement and is a yellow card offence.
More tomorrow !!!
Steve Woods
(World Cup Companion)

England v United States

Both England and the USA kick off their World Cup hopes on 12 June when the two teams meet in what might turn out to be the decider for first place in Group C. England are several places higher than the United States in the world rankings, but this will be a tough match for both teams. Sixty years ago, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history was sealed when the two teams met in the 1950 tournament in Brazil. The USA won that day 1-0. Of course, the USA´s World Cup history goes back to 1930 when it finished third in the very first tournament. The United States remains as one of only two countries outside of Europe and South America to finish in the top four of a World Cup tournament, the other country being South Korea in 2002.

Give Away

I will be giving away a signed "World Cup Companion" book very soon. Keep an eye on it!!!

Italy

Italy begins its defence of the world title in just 32 days on 14th June at 7.30pm BST against Paraguay. The match can be seen on BBC1 and heard on BBC radio.

The players to look out for in the Italian side are captain Cannavaro, and Buffon in goal. Both were magnificent in the 2006 tournament. Coach Marcello Lippi will be chasing a second World Cup win. The only man to ever win the World Cup twice as manager so far is Italy's Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.

Steve Woods
(World Cup Companion)

Foxes Beaten by Bluebirds

Cardiff City will contest the play-off final with Blackpool for a place in the Premier League. Leicester City were dumped out of the running by Cardiff in a penalty shoot-out competition.
Steve Woods
(World Cup Companion)

Unlucky Fulham

Unfortunately for Roy Hodgson and the magnificent Fulham fans at the Europa League final, the Fulham team finally ran out of steam at the conclusion of a memorable season for them. Had they hung on for a few more minutes the story might have been different as many fancied Fulham to win a penalty shoot-out. In the end it was an unfortunate deflection that won it for Atletico Madrid.
Steve Woods
(World Cup Companion)

Fulham´s Biggest Night

It´s a big night for Fulham tonight......the biggest night in the club´s history. They´re in a European final !!!!!

World Cup 2010 South Africa

At www.worldcupcompanion.blogspot.com you can see Brazil's best goal ever! View also England's triumph in 1966.

The Book

Readers of World Cup Companion have reported how pleased they are with the book. It is full of interesting facts such as penalty shoot-out rankings, a guide indicating which teams have to do what to qualify for the second round, and where all England´s matches are to be played if it goes all the way to the final. Tables and scores from all the World Cup tournaments are also included, as well as an alternative World Cup history. There is also a World Cup game in chapter 7.

Spurs Take 4th Place and Crouch is the Hero

Spurs have beaten Manchester City to fourth place in the Premier League and the remaining Champions League place for English teams. And the goal scorer could well make his mark at the World Cup too for England. At World Cup Companion we think Peter Crouch will. As for England, we think success awaits the England team in South Africa. The best day so far in England World Cup history was when England won the World Cup. Our blog at www.worldcupcompanion.blogspot.com includes the highlights of the 1966 World Cup final.

Chelsea or Man Utd, Spurs or Man City?

The title will be decided on the last day of the Premier League. The race for the final Champions League place might also go to the last day although it could be decided mid-week. Arsenal might yet drop to fourth place in the league. Come 11 July we will also know which team will get its hands on the World Cup.
Follow us at www.worldcupcompanion.blogspot.com for updates and more.

Another Big Weekend in the Premier League

Chelsea could be champions this weekend. The fourth Champions League spot is still up for grabs. Any mathematical chance for Hull to avoid relegation will likely disappear, although everyone knows there is no chance for Hull. The others will be playing for pride.
The World Cup Companion Book team