England vs Sweden

The final game in the group stages, and its against a team England have not beaten in 38 years, nearly as long ago when we last won the World Cup!! This time its on the more respectable time of 8 o'clock but unfortunately on ITV. In recent years, my opinion of ITV has gone downhill. I am not a BBC fanboy, but there coverage of sports always seems so much better. ITV have a tendancy to slag the team off, when they make the slightest mistake. I don't like to hear it...

With Rooney starting the game, we have to win or draw. We have already won the group, but the result of this match decides who will be playing Germany in the next round. I would rather have Ecuador... But within two minutes of the game starting, Michael Owen twists his knee and is out. England seem to play so much better in this game, with Rooney and Crouchy upfront. It isn't long before a long shot from Joe Cole puts england ahead.

I don't know what Sven says to the Engalnd boys at halftime, but after a grest first half, I sometimes wonder if its along the lines of, "Ok Lads, we are beating my home country. Lets not make it a whitewash, and lets have some sloppy defending in the second half" When they comeback on, they dont seem as fired up as they were in the first half. It isn't long before Allback scores...

With Rooney bought off in place of Stevie G, England seem to play a little better. When Gerrard scores, its amazing!! But ITV are still slagging the team off... Larson socres in the dying minutes of the game.. its 2-2. BBC's match coverage as usual is superb... Match Report Stats/Action Photo Gallery Rate Players Virtual Replay Your views

However, we have won the group and get to play Ecuador on Sunday afternoon. Sweden get Germany!! The rest of the second round up reads:

Saturday, 24 June 2006 ArgentinavMexico, 20:00 GermanyvSweden, 16:00

Sunday, 25 June 2006 EnglandvEcuador, 16:00 PortugalvHolland, 20:00

Monday, 26 June 2006 ItalyvAustralia, 16:00 SwitzerlandvUkraine, 20:00

Tuesday, 27 June 2006 BrazilvGhana, 16:00 SpainvFrance, 20:00

12:00 PMAnonymousFootball, SportsNo comments