Monthly Archives: November 2009

So, who is going to the World Cup in South Africa?

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The playoffs are over, so now we know the final list of teams who have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

Hosts: South Africa
African Qualifying teams: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria

Asian Qualifying teams: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea

European Qualifying teams: Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

South American Qualifying teams: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

North and Central American Qualifying teams: Honduras, Mexico, United States

Asia/Oceania Play off Qualifying teams: New Zealand

So there we have it, the long qualification process is over, so on to South Africa and may the best team win…

Ireland out of World Cup thanks to Henry Handball

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Ireland lost to France after extra time last night 2-1 on aggregate in their sudden death World Cup qualification playoff at the Stade de France in Paris, but will have every right to feel cheated as French striker Thierry Henry blatantly handballed in the build up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal which earnt France a 1-1 draw on the night.

Barcelona striker Henry, clearly handled the ball to stop it going out of play and then passed it across goal for Gallas to head home in the 104th minute. Ireland had taken an early lead through Robbie Keane’s strike after 33 minutes.

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne said: “Henry admitted afterwards he handled it, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. We were cheated.”

Henry added: “I will be honest it was a handball but I’m not the referee.”
“You can clearly see the opportunity. Sebastien Squillaci went to jump for the ball with two Irish players and I’m behind him. The next thing I know the ball hit my hand, my arm even. It was right in front of me, I played it. The ref allowed it and that’s a question you should ask him.”

Irish captain Robbie Keane told BBC Radio 5 live: “Henry nearly caught it, so it’s a bit of a killer. When you see the reaction of the players, Shay especially, he’s two yards away from it and you don’t get a reaction like that if he’s not sure it’s a handball.”

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said it was sickening to go out of the World Cup in such a manner: “We are angry. It is a bitter evening for me, I would prefer to have gone out on penalties.I spoke to the referee and I told him he may have made a great mistake.”

In the great scheme of things it’s not quite a Maradona ‘Hand of God’ goal, but I guess there will be some sore heads and unhappy people in Ireland today.
Perhaps Monsieur Henri might want to review his book signing schedule to make sure that Dublin isnt on the list!

Bye Bye Burley, Burley Bye Bye

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George Burley has finally been sacked as manager of Scotland after a bad of run results. Burley leaves the job after nearly two years in charge. Assistants Terry Butcher and Paul Hegarty are leaving as well.
Burley was given the dreaded vote of confidence after an awful World Cup qualifying campaign, but after friendly defeats in Japan and Wales, the SFA changed their minds and have given him the boot. He won just three of his 14 games in charge.

Gordon Smith, chief executive of the SFA, said in a statement: “It is with regret that we announce George Burley’s departure. We now have four months until our next scheduled match, against Czech Republic, and will therefore utilise the intervening period to ensure we attract the best possible replacement to take Scotland forward”.
“The decision was taken after a meeting with the board of directors and, subsequently, the national coach.”
“The board was in unanimous agreement. It should be stressed that the decision was not a direct consequence of Saturday’s unacceptable 3-0 defeat to Wales but, rather, a realisation that the expectations of the supporters, the Scottish FA and George, himself, were not being met.”

Burley started his managerial career at Ayr United before moving to Ipswich where he had been a player. During his time at Ipswich he took them into the Premier League and also secured qualification to the Uefa Cup. His eight-year reign at Portman Road was followed by spells in charge of Derby County, Hearts and Southampton before he took charge of Scotland in January 2008.

Wonder who’s next for this thankless job? Rumours are flying that Dundee United boss Craig Levein, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jeffries, former Hibernian manager John Collins and Walter Smith of Rangers are the favourites. As long as they dont call me – I dont want it!!

It’s a bad week for goalkeepers….

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Following on from the suicide yesterday of Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, it has been revealed that Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has suffered “potentially life-changing injuries” in a motorbike accident in East London. He was taken to hospital after his BMW bike was involved in a collision with a car in Walthamstow this morning.

The Italian, 36, who signed from Chelsea in January this year has fractured both wrists and injured his pelvis.

A statement on Tottenham’s website said: “Carlo Cudicini has fractured his wrists and injured his pelvis after being involved in a road accident this morning.

“The 36-year-old Italian goalkeeper has been admitted to hospital and undergone scans under the supervision of club medical staff.”

“The club will update supporters on Carlo as soon as there is any further information.”

Footballbits and pieces would like to pass on their best wishes to Carlo for a speedy recovery

Germany in shock over apparent suicide of keeper

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Robert Enke Tributes are being paid as the world of football mourns Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who has died after being struck by a train in an apparent suicide. Enke, 32, who played for Hannover 96 and was rumoured to be suffering from depression was hit by a train at a level crossing near Hannover. He is thought to have struggled to cope with the loss of his daughter Lara, who died aged two in 2006 of a rare heart condition,

Oliver Bierhoff, the German football team’s general manager, said: “We are all shocked. We are lost for words.” Germany cancelled a planned training session and all interviews. Germany’s friendly against Chile on Saturday may be postponed, even though Enke was not in the squad having recently recovered from a virus. He was expected to be Germany’s number one goalkeeper for next years World cup in South Africa.

Fans at Hannover’s Niedersachsen Stadium overnight laid flowers and lit candles at the gates in memory of their captain, who signed in 2004. More queued to sign an official book of condolence. Hannover 96 removed all links to the regular content on their website showing instead a black page reading “Wir trauern um Robert Enke” (“We are mourning Robert Enke”).

The German Football League has announced a minute’s silence will be held at grounds ahead of the next round of the top two divisions of the Bundesliga for the weekend of 21-22 November, with all players wearing black armbands.

Enke was born in Jena, East Germany in 1977 and played for Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, and Tenerife before joinging Hannover 96. He made his debut for Germany against Denmark in 2007 winning 8 caps and was Bundesliga goalkeeper of the season 2008-09


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