2002 World Cup soccer thread

[nostromo]

some nice plays you got there Anders,

Cameroon +170 for top african team and Poland +150 to not qualify is great value.

Is that from Centrebet and do they allow parlays on such props?

You should stay from those 'time of 1st goal' bets...it's easy to have an opinion on them but hard to find a true edge...just mho.

 

[boris]

Anders,

Can have any price for Croatia to win Group C with us..... we're offering $6 on Croatia to win Group G though.

See profile for which book I'm referring to.

 

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FRANCE-Group A


Depth and confidence mark defending champions

If France can recapture the defensive solidity that won them the 1998 FIFA World Cup France? and can break forward with the devastating fluidity that saw them lift the UEFA European Championship 2000 crown, then they will be a difficult side to beat come June in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

While coach Roger Lemerre faces selection headaches that many of his peers would love to have, is the current French side does show a certain weakness in central defence. Laurent Blanc's retirement from the international scene paved the way for his Manchester United team mate Mika?l Silvestre to join captain Marcel Desailly in the centre, a pairing that had trouble containing the talents of Raul in Spain's 2-1 victory over France in March 2001. However, with Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram at full-back in a defence marshalled by top-rated goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, only the very best will be able to break France down.

In midfield, Real Madrid star Zin?dine Zidane will again be the team's creative lynchpin, and the ferocious skills of Arsenal's Patrick Vieira can be supported by a host of defensive or offensive players as the need arises.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry has earned Lemerre's trust as first-choice striker, and Juventus man David Trezeguet has become something of a super-sub in late second-half appearances, such as in the UEFA EURO 2000 final, where he bagged the winner.

Significant past players:

Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini, Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa

Achievements:

-- 3rd 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden
-- 4th 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain
-- 3rd 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico
-- Champion 1998 FIFA World Cup France
-- 4th UEFA European Championship France 1960
-- Champion UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship England 1996
-- Champion UEFA European Championship Holland/Belgium 2000
-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1984
-- Champion FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001

 

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Just noticed that some books are way off in terms of price on many games. For example, Pinnacle has France as -325, while Canbet has them @-278

Canbet seems to have lower line on FAVS.

 

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Senegal-Group A

Senegal are the surprise package from Africa for the 2002 FIFA World Cup? and the only one of the five African representatives who have never been to the finals before. The Lions came through arguably the toughest group in the continental qualifiers and are promising they have the potential to create further upsets when they play in the finals in Japan and Korea.

Senegal's qualification is a breath of fresh air for African soccer, with French coach Bruno Metsu building on a side whose foundations were laid by the veteran German trainer Peter Schnittger. Metsu says Senegal will bring a charm and charisma to the finals, plus intent to win. "We will be the Jamaica of this World Cup," said the French-born coach.

The West Africans have ambitions of exceeding the achievement of the Caribbean island in France in 1998 and Senegal believe they are strong candidates for at least the second round of the tournament.

The vast majority of the team are based in France, with other Senegalese internationals dotted around other European leagues in Austria, Greece, Portugal and Switzerland. They will rely mainly on a strong attack, led by 21-year-old El Hadji Diouf, who plays for Lens, and Khalilou Fadida, based at Auxerre and who almost elected to compete for Belgium before winning his first cap for Senegal in 2000. The wide play of Henri Camara is also key while Ferdinand Coly adds a measure of solidity in the defence.

Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup has injected a new fever into football in Senegal, whose previous best footballing achievement was a semi-final berth at the 1990 African Cup of Nations, when the shrewd Frenchman Claude Le Roy was their coach. There were ecstatic celebrations throughout the country after Senegal made sure of going to the finals with president Abdoulaye Wade even cutting short a state visit in Europe to fly home and celebrate with the players and people.

Significant past players:

Yerim Diagne, Louis Gomis, Boubacar Sarr, Souleymane Sane, Jules Bocande

Achievements:

Qualification 1965, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002 African Cup of Nations
Champion 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991 Amilcar Cabral Cup

 

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Uruguay-Group A

The sleeping giant of South American football is about to stir. Uruguay, a nation small in size but big on soccer, is ready to return to the world stage in Korea/Japan next summer.
The "Celeste" have been a long time coming - they have reached only two of the last six FIFA World Cup? finals, in Mexico 86 and Italia 90. But thanks to a fifth-place finish in the South American, or Conmebol, qualifying group, only play-off opponents Australia stand between them and a trip to the Far East.

Seven of the 10 Conmebol countries changed coach mid-tournament, and Uruguay were no different. Former Argentine international Daniel Passarella started the campaign in charge yet surprised everybody by resigning after 10 of 18 games.

His replacement Victor Pua's accession was a smooth affair which disrupted neither the squad nor the style of play. In fact, the only inconsistency was on the pitch, where results were less than predictable. Despite these fluctuations, Uruguay held on to the fifth position they had under Passarella.

The tense final qualifier against Argentina in Montevideo, a 1-1 draw, was true to form, with character just about subjugating class. In terms of room for improvement, there is a house full.

Not that Pua doesn't have the players. The squad that has taken Uruguay to the brink of the finals includes the following big-name stars: Fabian Carini and Paolo Montero (Juventus FC); Washington Tais (Real Betis); Gustavo Sorondo and Alvaro Recoba (Internazionale FC); Dar?o Rodr?guez (Pe?arol); Gonzalo De los Santos (Valencia CF); Pablo Garcia (Milan AC); Gianni Guigou (AS Roma); Dario Silva (Malaga CF); Federico Magallanes (AC Venezia).

Significant past players:

Daniel Fonseca, Enzo Francescoli, Pablo Bengoechea, Fernando Alvez, Carlos Aguilera, Luis Cubilla, Juan Alberto Schiaffino, Obdulio Varela, Jose Nasazzi

Achievements:

-- FIFA World Cup? winners 1930, 1950
-- Olympic champions 1924, 1928
-- Copa America winners 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995

 

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Denmark- Group A

Led by some of Europe's elite

Denmark qualified for the FIFA World Cup? finals for the third time when they thrashed Iceland 6-0 in their final 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan qualifier in October. The Danes impressed throughout in a closely-fought group, from which they emerged unbeaten, having scored more and let in fewer goals than their nearest rivals, the Czech Republic.

The side is peppered with top internationals, most of whom play outside Denmark. The British-based contingent includes Thomas Gravesen of Everton and Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who has made a significant impression since taking over from the legendary Peter Schmeichel.

Much hope is also placed on Jesper Gronkjaer of Chelsea. The former Ajax man missed the final qualifying game after incurring a serious knee injury, but should be fit in time for the finals. Meanwhile, pulling the strings in the middle of the park are Thomas Helveg of AC Milan and Martin Jorgensen, who also plies his trade in the Italian Serie A at Udinese.

Up front the Danes are very strong. Schalke 04's Ebbe Sand having developed into one of European football's top marksmen, leading the German Bundesliga in 2000-01 with 22 goals. Alongside him, John Dahl Tomasson of Feyenoord weighed in with some vital strikes in the qualifiers.

The current Danish coach, Morten Olsen, came to prominence as a player. He recently signed a long-term contract to continue in charge of the national team and is assisted by another former fan favourite, Michael Laudrup.

Significant past players:

Brian Laudrup, Peter Schmeichel, Michael Laudrup, Preben Elkjaer, Morten Olsen.

Achievements:

-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France?
-- 4th UEFA European Championship Spain 1964
-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- Champion UEFA European Championship Sweden 1992
-- Runner-up Olympic Games 1908, 1912, 1960

 

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Group A

Quotes by the coaches

France (FRA)

Coach: Roger Lemerre
The first round of the World Cup is a mini-league and thus very difficult. We will be facing Denmark again - a good team. The match against Senegal will not be easy, particularly since it will be the opener, making it even more tough. Senegal is a French-speaking country coached by Bruno Metsu, a Frenchman, so it will be a specail match for us. You could call it a match between Frenchmen who play abroad and Senegalese who play in France! This makes it easier for me to scout them. Uruguay is an enigma. Suth American football is very different from ours. It?s not an advantage to be the favourites - the real advantage is to have a strong, committed team. But who knows what will happen? Whoever qualifies from group F will provide formidable opposition for us in the last 16.



Senegal (SEN)

Coach: Bruno Metsu
We are not going to this World Cup just for the hell of it - we?re going there to progress as far as we can. We will be going all out for second place, since France are favourites for top spot. I can?t say now whether we will be able to pull off a surprise, but what I do know is we have nothing to lose and nothing to be afraid of, since we are the minnows of the group.




Uruguay (URU)

Coach: V?ctor P?a
Group A will be a very challenging and competitive one. Each team is strong - France, of course, because they are the winners of the last World Cup and Senegal are not to be overlooked either, since many of them play in French clubs. However, the toughest adversary will be Denmark, even though they are nowhere near as strong as they were in Mexico.




Denmark (DEN)

Coach: Morten Olsen
All the groups are difficult. These are the best teams in the world, and France is one of the best of the best, and they are the favourite in the group. Senegal is a young and exciting team and Uruguay is always strong in defence. We recently played France in a friendly and they were in our group in 1998 and at EURO 2000, so we know them well. We?re an outsider in this group and it will be tough.

 

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Spain- Group B


"This tournament will be different!" It has been said too many times for Spaniards to take notice any longer. Spain have never competed in a FIFA World Cup? final and their best finish, fourth place, came all the way back in the 1950 World Cup Brazil.
Although they won the UEFA European Championship in 1964 and Olympic gold in 1992, both on their home soil, their relative lack of international success remains a sad tale for a football-rich country consistently brimming with quality players.

Two things will favour Spain's quest for glory at the 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan: new coach Jose Camacho and Spain's status as having what is arguably Europe's top domestic league. Since taking over from Javier Clemente in 1998, the former Real Madrid defender has given the team a breath of fresh air. His attacking style has suited the Spanish players, who seemed uncomfortable with their former coach's obsession with filling the midfield with defenders instead of creativity.

In the UEFA European Championship 2000, Spain fell in the quarter-finals, 2-1, to a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France, as Raul Gonzalez missed a last-minute penalty. They showed enough during the tournament, however, to suggest that with one or two new players, they could be a threat on the world stage.

Aided by Spanish clubs' success in European competitions (Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League winners, 1998 and 2000; Valencia - UEFA Champions League runners-up, 2000 and 2001; Alaves - UEFA Cup runners-up 2001), those missing players appear to have arrived.

Real Madrid's Ivan Helguera, Deportivo La Coru?a's Juan Carlos Valeron and Valencia's Vicente Rodriguez have joined the likes of Raul, Fernando Hierro and Josep Guardiola in helping Spain to easily qualify from their group and could be key players in the finals.

Significant past players:

Andoni Zubizarreta, Emilio Butrague?o, Estanislao Basora

Achievements:

-- 4th place 1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil
-- Quarter-final 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico
-- Quarter-final 1994 FIFA World Cup USA
-- Champions UEFA European Championship Spain 1964
-- Runners-up UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- Runners-up Olympic Games 1920
-- Champion Olympic Games 1992
-- Runners-up Olympic Games 2000

 

[Anders]

Thanks for all yer help TTM$

Only a month to go; already salivating

 

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Slovenia- Group B

Slovenia continue to impress under Katanec

Once again this remarkable nation of only 2 million inhabitants, which was part of Yugoslavia until 1991, has defied the odds, this time by qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan?.
Much of the credit for Slovenia's rise has to go to coach Srecko Katanec. His name translates as "lucky" but the team certainly does not rely on good fortune alone. Katanec believes in hard work, team spirit and solid defending and is understandably regarded as a hero in Slovenia.

Such has been Slovenia's rise to prominence under Katanec that by the end of the qualifying campaign, they had risen to 26th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World rankings, an improvement of over 100 places from when the ranking system was introduced in 1993. The team which was a pleasant surprise at the UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000 has come a long way since managing only one point in eight games during its qualifying campaign for the 1998 FIFA World Cup?.

The nation's chances in the upper echelon of world football rest largely on the fitness and temperament of playmaker Zlatko Zahovic. Slovenia's much-admired number 10 is injury-prone and has a questionable attitude, a spat with Katanec leading to his benching for a friendly after EURO 2000.

Significant past players:

Screcko Katanec

Achievements:

- First round UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000

 

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(May 2) LONDON (AP) - Patricia Hewitt, who heads the British government department overseeing trade and industry, said Thursday she would urge companies to give employees time off to watch England World Cup matches on TV.

"I welcome the fact that many employers have already indicated that they are going to be flexible on this matter and ensure that employees can watch the key matches, rather than perhaps taking unauthorized sick leave," she said. She said firms that offered flexible working hours were generally "not only more popular with their employees, but more profitable than other companies, as well."

 

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Rankings as of April 17


Group A Rk Group B Rk
France 1 Spain 7
Denmark 20 Paraguay 14
Uruguay 20 Slovenia 28
Senegal 43 South Africa 36


Group C Rk Group D Rk
Brazil 2 Portugal 5
Turkey 24 United States 13
Costa Rica 27 Poland 38
China PR 51 South Korea 41



Group E Rk Group F Rk
Germany 12 Argentina 3
Ireland 18 England 11
Cameroon 18 Sweden 17
Saudi Arabia 34 Nigeria29



Group G Rk Group H Rk
Italy 6 Belgium 22
Mexico 7 Russia 24
Croatia 23 Tunisia 29
Ecuador 36 Japan 33

 

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#PAST WORLD CUP ATTENDANCES#
----------------------------

YEAR SITE MATCHES TOTAL ATTENDANCE AVERAGE
==== ==== ======= ================ =======
1998 FRANCE 64 2,770,000 43,000
1994 UNITED STATES 52 3,567,415 68,604
1990 ITALY 52 2,514,443 48,354
1986 MEXICO 52 2,441,731 43,956
1982 SPAIN 52 1,856,277 35,698
1978 ARGENTINA 38 1,610,215 42,374
1974 WEST GERMANY 38 1,774,022 46,685
1970 MEXICO 32 1,673,975 52,312
1966 ENGLAND 32 1,614,677 50,458
1962 CHILE 32 776,000 24,250
1958 SWEDEN 35 868,000 24,800
1954 SWITZERLAND 26 943,000 36,270
1950 BRAZIL 22 1,337,000 60,772
1938 FRANCE 18 483,000 26,833
1934 ITALY 17 395,000 23,235
1930 URUGUAY 18 434,500 24,139

 

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The recent injury to defender Jens Nowotny prompted 'keeper Oliver Kahn to dismiss Germany as a favourite at the upcoming World Cup.




(posted May. 3, 12:53AM EDT)
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn conceded on Thursday that Germany have little chance of winning the World Cup after Jens Nowotny joined Mehmet Scholl on the sidelines.

"It's like France without Marcel Desailly and Zinedine Zidane," he explained. "We will certainly not travel to the tournament as one of the favourites."

Germany assistant coach Michael Skibbe was equally downbeat, but insisted the national team would not return to the outmoded sweeper system favoured by former coach Erich Ribbeck.

"Jens was the key to our defence and his loss is the heaviest blow, but no matter which system we choose to replace him, we won't reinstall a libero," he promised

Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Nowotny was ruled outafter a scan on Thursday confirmed he had torn cruciate ligaments.

"This is a serious loss for him and for the national team," Germany coach Rudi Voller said. "Jens played a vital role in my plans, leading my defence and as my assistant on the pitch. It will be very difficult to replace him."

Nowotny picked up the injury in an innocuous-looking clash with Ruud van Nistelrooy. It happened in the eighth minute of his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday which confirmed Bayer's place in the Champions' League final.

Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmoller echoed Voller's comments. "I would trade our Champions' League triumph for Jens not to be injured," he said. "He is an outstanding captain and his loss is a tremendous blow. There is no-one who can replace him.

"After the match against United, the players swore that they would win the final for Jens," he added.

Nowotny has sacrificed himself for the Bayer cause in recent weeks, taking painkilling injections to allow him to play despite an ankle injury.

As well as the World Cup, Nowotny will miss the final match of the Bundesliga campaign on Saturday, the German Cup final against Schalke 04 on May 11 and the Champions' League final in Glasgow four days later.

"It's tragic," Leverkusen team-mate and fellow international Carsten Ramelow said. "Jens has been so influential in helping us to all the success we have had this season and now that we have gone all the way he is out to injury.

"It's a great feeling to have qualified for the Champions' League final, but I feel downbeat as I am very sorry for him."

Leverkusen physio Dieter Trzolek revealed that Nowotny will now travel to knee specialist Richard Steadman in Colorado for surgery. "We have demanded the quickest-possible appointment for an operation," he confirmed.

Voller's defence at the World Cup is now likely to comprise Marko Rehmer, if he recovers from his ligament problem, Christian Worns, Thomas Linke and Christian Ziege.

Alternatively, he could go for a back-three with Worns and Linke joined by a defensive midfielder such as Jens Jeremies or Ramelow.

Bayern playmaker Scholl stunned the country last week by announcing his retirement from international football after an injury-marred season.

 

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Paraguay- Group B

Chilavert blow should not derail Paraguay

To reach consecutive FIFA World Cup? finals is no small feat. For a country like Paraguay, whose population numbers less than five million, it is a big deal.
After all, this is a nation where sport barely registers on the scale of social priorities - and where 90 per cent of football is played in the capital Asuncion, a city of under a million people.

The fact Paraguay have achieved this for the first time in their history owes much to Sergio Markarian, the Uruguayan coach who led them to the second phase of the 1998 FIFA World Cup?.

Yet whether they can repeat that showing in Korea/Japan will depend on their ability to do without inspirational goalkeeper, Jose Luis Chilavert.

Paraguay will be shorn of their captain's all-pervading influence for the first two matches of next summer's competition. The 35-year-old's suspension (a four-game ban for spitting at Brazil's Roberto Carlos during a qualifier in August) leaves a black mark against their chances of clean sheets.

Which is a shame, because on the evidence of the South American qualifiers, Paraguay now have the attacking nous to add to their traditional miserliness in defence.

Markarian's men were second-top scorers in the section, behind runaway leaders Argentina, with 29 goals.

Less of a surprise, perhaps, was the coach's choice of player. Talk about usual suspects: Chilavert (Strasbourg, France); Arce (Palmeiras, Brazil), Caniza (Santos Laguna, Mexico), Gamarra (AEK Athens, Greece), Ayala (River Plate, Argentina), Enciso (Olimpia Asuncion), Struway (Libertad Asuncion), Acuna (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Paredes (Porto, Portugal); Cardozo (Toluca, Mexico), Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich, Germany).

However, this is the squad that has brought unprecedented respectability to Paraguay's footballers.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose team had to settle for two draws from their meetings with their cross-border rivals, has no doubts as to the standard we can expect from them.

Forget Brazil, he said, "Paraguay were the toughest rivals we faced in the qualifying tournament." Some commendation.

Significant past players:

Julio Cesar Romero, Saturnino Arrua, Jose Parodi, Cesar Lopez Fretes, Delfin Benitez Caceres, Aurelio Gonzalez.

Achievements:

-- Copa America winners 1953, 1979, runners-up 1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963
-- Olympic qualifying tournament winners 1992

 

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South Africa- Group B

Back where they belong

South Africa will celebrate a decade back in the international fold in 2002 when they participate in the FIFA World Cup? finals in Korea and Japan, after the end of their long period of isolation because of the country's apartheid policies. In the last 10 years, the country has emerged as a strong power on the African continent and has already enjoyed a substantial period of time as the top ranked African nation on the FIFA World Rankings.

South Africa also qualified for the last FIFA World Cup finals in France and were winners of the African Nations Cup finals in 1996, which they hosted. Last year, they narrowly lost to Germany in a hard-fought bid to win the right to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. With more and more key players now competing in the leagues of Europe, 'Bafana Bafana' will be hoping to draw on that experience and do considerably better than the two draws and one defeat they recorded at France '98.

Coach Carlos Queiroz, who took Portugal to the world under-20 championship title in 1991, is now in charge of a South African side who proved competent in the qualifiers. Players like Sibusiso Zuma, Delron Buckley, Siyabonga Nomvete and captain Shaun Bartlett are emerging as the new generation of potential match-winners for the country. South Africa's economic strength and strong corporate sponsorship interest in soccer means the country's football can afford to compete regularly with some of the leading teams in the world and there have been recent encounters against the likes of world champions France, Sweden, Denmark and Mexico.

Famous players:

Kaizer Motaung, Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono, Doctor Khumalo, Lucas Radebe

Achievements:

FIFA World Cup finals qualification 1998
African Nations Cup winners 1996
African Nations Cup finals qualification 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

PARIS (Reuters) - French midfielder Christian Karembeu will not feature in the defending champions squad for the World Cup finals because of a groin injury.

"I'm out and I respect the coach's decision," he told sports daily l'Equipe.


The Olympiakos player suffered the injury during last week's Greek Cup final.


Karembeu said French manager Roger Lemerre had called up Bayern Munich's Willy Sagnol to replace him as he did not want to take any chances so close to the competition in South Korea and Japan.


Sagnol was included in a list of eight players to take part in a training camp in the French Alps next week.


Karembeu, 31, is expected to need four weeks to fully recover and said he would remain on alert in case of another withdrawal.


"I'm going to receive treatment and be ready just in case.


"It's a pity because I was on the list, but the rule is clear and I must now try to be professional about my recovery," Karembeu added.


France open the World Cup finals against Senegal on May 31 in Seoul. They are also drawn against Uruguay and Denmark.

 

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LONDON (Reuters) - England's Gary Neville has ruled himself out of the World Cup finals because of a broken bone in his foot, Manchester United has said.

Right back Neville broke a metatarsal bone in his left foot during United's Champions League semifinal, first leg draw against Bayer Leverkusen on April 24.


"Following discussions between Gary, the United medical staff and the club's orthopaedic consultant, it has been agreed that even with the most optimistic prognosis Gary will not reach full match fitness by the start of the World Cup," said a statement on the United website.


"Consequently, Gary has decided to notify England manager (Sven-Goran Eriksson) today of his unavailability for the squad.


"He felt it would have been unfair on the other players and everyone involved with the England set-up to wait for three more weeks before knowing for sure."


Eriksson names his 23-man squad on May 9. England's first match of the finals is against Sweden on June 2.


It was a similar injury to the one sustained by club and international team mate David Beckham two weeks earlier.


Both players were told it would take between six to eight weeks to recover fitness. Beckham, the England captain, is making good progress and is expected to be fit to lead the side.


Neville's absence could help his brother, United defender Philip, earn a call-up to Eriksson's squad.


Leeds United's Danny Mills, United's Wes Brown and Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves are also in line to replace the 27-year-old.


England have been drawn to play Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria in group F at the finals which start in South Korea and Japan on May 31.

 

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Group B


Post Draw: Quotes and Analysis


Spain (ESP)

Coach: Jos? Antonio Camacho
Even though, as usual, people are saying we are better than our opponents, we still have to prove it out there on the pitch where it matters most. In the past we have gone into too many World Cup tournaments believing in our chances to progress, only to fall flat on our faces at the first hurdle. The players must get it into their heads that winning is the important thing. We know Paraguay well from the last World Cup when they gave us a verytough match. South Africa are more of an unknown quantity although we have followed some of their players and their qualifying campaign. Slovenia, on the other hand, are an old acquaintance from Euro 2000, where they made it very difficult for us. There is no such thing as a foregone conclusion in World Cup tournaments. I have no qualms with the location because that is where we have been allocated to play. Let us hope that it is to our liking and that we can stay there in the later part of the competition.






Slovenia (SVN)

Coach: Srecko Katanec
Spain is the favourite - they?re so skilful, very, very good. We know them, we played them in EURO 2000. But it wasn?t important who we drew. We are concentrate on ourselves as we know that all teams at this level are good. I know Paraguay and South Africa?For Slovenia this is a very important and proud moment because we are a small country and this is a very big event. I don?t want to say that we?ll stop here though. We?ll show that we can play some nice football. It will be very important for us to come here and compete and show how good we can be.







Paraguay (PAR)

Director of national select teams: Jos? Silva
It is by no means a straightforward group but we are not in awe of anybody. We know all about Spain from the last World Cup when we met and they were subsequently knocked out. Slovenia and South Africa are two countries we know relatively little about. We will begin to do our homework as soon as a new coach is in place. We can only plan so much without the completion of this vital appointment.






South Africa (RSA)

Coach: Carlos Queiroz
We are pleased. We know that it will be very difficult considering the calibre of teams such as Slovenia, Spain and Paraguay. The last two, in particular, can call on a vast wealth of international experience. I think that this group can produce some entertaining games. South Africa? We are certainly not the favourites but we have one concrete aim and that is to progress to the second round. We shall work exceptionally hard in order to achieve this.