 |
Clues to the decline and fall of once-mighty France
What happened to France -- the 1998 champion, the 2000 European champion, a team of marvels and elegance, eliminated in the first round without scoring a goal - is a mystery, already larded with clues and theories (and, probably soon enough, a possible conspiracy or two), but nothing like a coherent explanation.
|
|
End of the road for Lemerre?
The champion's early exit may leave its coach's future in doubt. Here's an analysis of why France fell apart.
|
|
|
The Worst Defences of the World Cup Ever
France aren't the first title-holders to spoil their legacy, and they won't be the last. A look at the other champs who were sent home with their tails between their legs
|
|
It's anybody's world cup: Eriksson
The England coach believes this is the most open World Cup on record - any team could go on to lift the famous trophy.
|
|
How Italians are beating the sex ban...
A diary from inside the Azzurri camp.
|
|
Gavin Hamilton: So far so good
This World Cup is carrying on where Euro 2000 left off, as far as attacking football is concerned. After 32 games, we have had 80 goals, an average of 2.5 goals per game, the highest for almost two decades.
|
|
Home press believes Spain can do it
Two matches, two victories and six goals. It's little wonder that Spain's ever-rational media is queuing up to declare the selección certain World Cup finalists.
|
|
Things are getting uglier for the Ugly American
What is South Korea's anti-US fervor in the World Cup really about? Perhaps it's about anger over what is perceived as the stubborn American refusal to recognise what matters to other people.
|
|
Celebrations remain a catastrophe
The goal celebrations out there in Japan and Korea are a mess. They need sorting.
|
|
A different arena for the beautiful game
Video-game soccer -- realistic and not -- has created its own legion of fans
|
|
Punter celebrating goalless exit for France
A punter backed France to crash out of the World Cup without scoring - but only with a £1 bet.
|
|
The city's big party, from ola to sayonara
The World Cup is a good excuse for a get-together, no matter a soccer fan's nationality.
|
|
Spain and Portugal: Looking for redemption
The Iberian peninsula has had a long, passionate and romantic association with the world game. It has also had a long history of failure.
|
|
Two coaches find it's all in the mind
After beating Ecuador, 2-1, Sunday, Mexico Coach Javier Aguirre praised his team's newfound mental toughness. After losing to Croatia, 2-1, Saturday, Italy Coach Giovanni Trapattoni defended his sanity in a contentious meeting with Italian media.
Archives:
May: 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31
June: 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
|
