In The Know wrote:
Prunella Minge wrote:
Owen's problems all came from one of the worst hamstring tears I've seen in football - he never got over it, and trying to compensate caused a whole series of related injuries that rendered him a walking sicknote.

So who on earth was he a permanent member of the England team for an entire decade ?

Because he was still the most likely to score goals. the rest of his game fizzled out, however, which Cappelo knew when he had him at Reeal Madrid. Before the first injury Owen was a kid with lightning pace who thought he was invincible; after it he was someone who increasingly feared when the injury would recur. He became neurotic, and his pace was never the same. (He also started preferring to save himself for England rather than risk injury for his club, which was one reason fans never warmed to him as they did, say, Robbie Fowler.)

In The Know wrote:


You seem to have forgotten both the Netherlands and Portugal, Anthony !

BOTH teams are consistent performers at major tournaments.
Portugal must get past Spain first, and that could go either way. Netherlands haven't made it to the final since 1978, and I expect them to lose narrowly against Brazil in the semi.

I don't believe a Brazil Argentina final would be a violent encounter, by the way, Prunella. This Argentina side has real attacking flair, which will open it up for Brazil to express themselves more than they have been. I will make a wild prediction of 4-3, but not sure to which team. My dream winners would be Paraguay as I had a bet at 180/1 almost 2 years ago. I live in hope.

In which case we shall root for Paraguay Anthony!

Anthony wrote:
[quote]In The Know wrote:




I don't believe a Brazil Argentina final would be a violent encounter, by the way, Prunella. .

Regardless of flair, the two teams hate each other. It could easily be a very bitter affair, as so many previous contests between them have been. Much depends on the referee.

JK right again.

Blackit wrote:
JK right again.

Snivel snivel.