Topic: Japan/South Korea 2002

[afc tukrish]

Was doing my GSCE’s when this was going on,

Just remember watching England vs Nigeria at 6am and then being allowed to watch England vs Brazil in the school sports hall ahead of my Maths exam,

I’m all for sharing it around the globe, it is the World Cup after all but having games at that time was pretty shite

USA/Mexico round of 16 at 2:00 AM was absolute fucking boss... 

[OsirisMVZ]

I’m all for sharing it around the globe, it is the World Cup after all but having games at that time was pretty shite

Yep wait for the evening games in 2026 or if Australia ever get to host

[Roopy]

So many people complaining about kick off times.

Welcome to our world in Australia - this is how its always been for us.

Be it European club football or Euros or World Cup - all of this is between midnight to 6am kick offs it's horrible!

You had one world cup in Asia and you're complaining about the kick off times haha - come on now....

Great thing for us was that the 2002 WC kick off times were 5pm, 7.30pm and then 9.30pm.

Would come home straight from school and watched every single game of that WC - didn't miss a single game.

So for once - and the only time ever - the time zone was in our favour ... but agree, the WC overall was pretty crap lol.

[RedSince86]

Worst World Cup in my lifetime, just edges South Africa.

The timing of it came around the time a lot of the top nations cycles were ending and they performed poorly, France and Portugal were shocking.

Germany who were the worst German side for a lifetime got the easiest run to a final ever, showing that half the tournament sides were a average to poor.

I couldn't even get behind South Korea as it looked dodgy AF officiating, the likes United have got the last 12 months by PGMOL.

Best game was Brazil v England, which was also surreal watching it in a pub in Camden at 6am.

Highlight was Ronaldo, he really did exorcise those Demons from those Devastating knee injuries and the debacle of France 98.

[BobPaisley3]

Worst World Cup in my lifetime, just edges South Africa.

The timing of it came around the time a lot of the top nations cycles were ending and they performed poorly, France and Portugal were shocking.

Germany who were the worst German side for a lifetime got the easiest run to a final ever, showing that half the tournament sides were a average to poor.

I couldn't even get behind South Korea as it looked dodgy AF officiating, the likes United have got the last 12 months by PGMOL.

Best game was Brazil v England, which was also surreal watching it in a pub in Camden at 6am.

Highlight was Ronaldo, he really did exorcise those Demons from those Devastating knee injuries and the debacle of France 98.

Couldn’t agree more, poor tournament. As you say, some of the officiating which pushed South Korea towards the latter stages wouldn’t look out of place in Mike Riley’s premier league.

One fond memory I have is watching England Denmark in the student union at silly o’clock one morning. Some loud mouthed nob behind us slagged Heskey off constantly throughout the first half, absolutely laid into him. Emile then scored near the end of the half and said idiot had the temerity to cheer, while everyone laughed in his face. He didn’t come back for the second half.

[Crosby Nick]

Ha, I remember similar with Heskey scoring and the group I was watching it in.

I moved to London in May 2002 so was only a few weeks into my first job. For England vNigeria and Brazil they put on breakfast at work, think it was a 7.30 kick off? There was also a later game each day, about 11.30 kick off and for the best part of a month it meant you could watch the second half in a big screen they had put up in a meeting room while having lunch which was quite cool.

Don’t think I even watched the semis or final though which is a bit shit for a World Cup!

[Red-Soldier]

Really dodgy officiating for South Korea as has been said. 

The second worst WC for me, behind South Africa.

[sinnermichael]

Borgetti's header for Mexico vs Italy is still my favourite headed goal of all time. Almost defied physics.

[Drinks Sangria]

Borgetti's header for Mexico vs Italy is still my favourite headed goal of all time. Almost defied physics.

Awesome technique, sort of span clockwise away from the path of the ball and glanced the underside to generate lift and topspin at the same time. Completely looped Buffon, he had no chance.

Favourite header for me is either Martin Skrtel v Arsenal in 2014 or more likely, Luis Suarez's opportunistic driving header into the top corner v WBA.

This World Cup is remembered fondly by myself because of my age - it's the first I properly remember in it's entirety. I can recall snatches of 98 - Owen's goal v Argentina made him my hero at the time) - but largely this one was great as a kid. Saw loads of top players I'd only previously heard of and the head of our school was a massive Red who was a footy nut and made it 'World Culture Month' as a pretence to have all the games on in every classroom  We were also allowed to watch Brazil v England at home and attend school late.

2010 is, in my mind, the absolute worst World Cup I can remember. 2006 was pretty good.

[RobinHood]

The 2002 World Cup was the only Panini stickerbook I completed as a child so have fond memories of it for that reason, and the fact I had the 'All the Goals' VHS that I used to watch a lot in my childhood.

The only strong memories I have are watching the Brazil - England game in school on a big projector where we normally had assembly, was 11 at the time.

Worst world cup for me was South Africa 2010, that was terrible. Awful games and those horrific vuvuzelas. I suspect Qatar will take the number 1 spot though.

[Crosby Nick]

I don’t remember many games from 2002. Senegal beating France is the obvious one along with England v Brazil.

Couldn’t tell you anything about a lot of the sides who made it to the knockouts.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Awesome technique, sort of span clockwise away from the path of the ball and glanced the underside to generate lift and topspin at the same time. Completely looped Buffon, he had no chance.

Favourite header for me is either Martin Skrtel v Arsenal in 2014 or more likely, Luis Suarez's opportunistic driving header into the top corner v WBA.

This World Cup is remembered fondly by myself because of my age - it's the first I properly remember in it's entirety. I can recall snatches of 98 - Owen's goal v Argentina made him my hero at the time) - but largely this one was great as a kid. Saw loads of top players I'd only previously heard of and the head of our school was a massive Red who was a footy nut and made it 'World Culture Month' as a pretence to have all the games on in every classroom  We were also allowed to watch Brazil v England at home and attend school late.

2010 is, in my mind, the absolute worst World Cup I can remember. 2006 was pretty good.

Garcia's header vs Real betis in CL 2005/2006 imo is better than Skrtel's 

[Crosby Nick]

Garcia's header vs Real betis in CL 2005/2006 imo is better than Skrtel's 

So memorable it was actually against Anderlecht.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

So memorable it was actually against Anderlecht.

hey my memory can't be perfect 

[sinnermichael]

I don’t remember many games from 2002. Senegal beating France is the obvious one along with England v Brazil.

Couldn’t tell you anything about a lot of the sides who made it to the knockouts.

Same for me in 2010. Apart from Germany battering England, Suarez's handball and the final, I can't remember any games. Dire tournament.

[paulrazor]

it was a bit of a weird world cup as a lot of big teams really didnt go anywhere near as far as people expected

Argentina and France bombed

Spain not great and Italy too although they were both robbed vs South Korea

the early kick offs were nuts. What really used to annoy me was any time i said at home i was off work and wanted a lie on someone would barge into my room the following day at 7am just out of spite. "oh i need a lend of socks"

You would tell people not to wake you and they just did it to annoy you. Morning after ireland went out i was only short of taking legal injunctions to prevent people waking me up, sure enough the aul lad thinking he is being funny wakes me up at 730 for no reason.

you know what the funny thing was? The one morning i asked for them to call me to watch an early game (Brazil v England) was the one the morning they didnt. I told them at home loads i was off work to watch that game. Match was nearly over by time i woke up

they go "we thought you wanted a lie on seen as you always go on about it"
"erm yeah i took the morning off to watch the game so i could stay in bed and miss it"

me also "how come when i do want a lie on you barge into my room at 7 for no reason and yet the one morning i want to be woke up is the one morning you dont"

very irish, you ask someone to wake you up and they forget and you sleep in and are late for something. You ask them to leave you alone and they are only short of smashing a wrecking ball through the front door of your house

[Red-Soldier]

This was the first WC where I watched most matches on my own.  Not that I remember watching that many.

[Sangria]

I remember talking to someone before the world cup who gushed about Michael Owen, and my response that England's best player wasn't even going.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Don't remember this world cup at all other than watching Brazil vs England in the school hall in the morning. I was 9 at the time like so yeah.

I get people saying the kick off times are a ball ache but I honestly dont mind the idea of world cups East asia; I thought the Rugby world cup in Japan was brilliant for example (then again I was over there at the time of a few matches so there is that  ).

[oojason]

.
Just wanted to say kudos and thanks to sinnermichael for creating many of these quality World Cup threads...

Spain 1982, Mexico 1986, Italy 1990, USA 1994, France 1998, Japan/South Korea 2002, and Germany 2006. Also South Africa 2010, and a Brazil 2014 thread too...

...are all well worth a good look through.






A few videos and info for the 2002 World Cup...




Wikipedia Page for the 2002 World Cup - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIFA_World_Cup

FIFA's Archive Website for the 2002 World Cup - https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/koreajapan2002

FIFA official youtube channel Playlist for the 2002 World Cup - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCGIzmTE4d0hYvmi4p1bfGJ_a1JIL9RB8

www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/archive - and then select 'Archive', then 'World Cup', then which World Cup you'd like to see video footage of... (highlights or full match replays etc)

FIFA have also made every World Cup match played between 1970-2018 available to watch for free, here - www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/archive?filters=3oN3YY1ihoEBFyDMZr5k9V



RAWK's 'Greatest World Cup Moment?' thread - https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=250295.0

RAWK's 'Your favourite World Cup goal' thread - https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=314103.msg12828067#msg12828067


RAWK's '20 years since the 2002 World Cup - What are your memories? thread' - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=352275.0






World Cup 2002 in Korea/Japan. All Goals:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/59BTnTQRvfE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/59BTnTQRvfE</a>




2002 FIFA World Cup All Goals:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/UVs4gRdXpTg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/UVs4gRdXpTg</a>




The 2002 Official World Cup film:-

www.facebook.com/Football-Nostalgia-103039391382854/videos/2002-south-koreajapan-fifa-world-cup-official-film/3576175719059896




All Matches and Goals - 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea & Japan (with brief highlights of every game):-

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT06sq1kVL4uVEEsVjrkIfXhvV6jf1zFl




'What made Korea/Japan so 2002?':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/CrycSGI2lNo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/CrycSGI2lNo</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/CrycSGI2lNo




'The Official Review of the FIFA World Cup 2002':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/YRcPO7nGfsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/YRcPO7nGfsc</a>




'ITV World Cup 2002 titles':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/6PvOTF99qfA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/6PvOTF99qfA</a>




'BBC FIFA World Cup 2002 Intro':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/iQu6YE-te-w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/iQu6YE-te-w</a>




'FIFA World Cup 2002: One of the biggest scandals in football history':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Lf4aZBFPYtI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Lf4aZBFPYtI</a>




'FIFA World Cup 2002 - Disgrace of a Sport':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/70YBjA0bLFM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/70YBjA0bLFM</a>




'The Biggest FIFA SCANDAL - 2002 FIFA World Cup - SUB ENG (Italy - South Korea)':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/VxHFxUjqZSo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/VxHFxUjqZSo</a>








'Korea Republic | 2002 World Cup Giant Killers':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Ym4fLNvcbX0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Ym4fLNvcbX0</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/Ym4fLNvcbX0




'Korea's amazing moment in the spotlight':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/YjrCud1EiAA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/YjrCud1EiAA</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/YjrCud1EiAA




'Senegal's Sensational 2002 World Cup Journey':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/UrShGg-NO_I" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/UrShGg-NO_I</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/UrShGg-NO_I




'When Metsu's Senegal shocked the world':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NBo67edx9gc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NBo67edx9gc</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/NBo67edx9gc




'Turkey's Journey To Bronze | Korea/Japan 2002 | FIFA World Cup':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/U3qzWobjs50" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/U3qzWobjs50</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/U3qzWobjs50




'Roy Keane & The 2002 World Cup | RTE':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/3GzRbxQlHms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/3GzRbxQlHms</a>




'France vs Senegal':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/X_DH9vxSy34" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/X_DH9vxSy34</a>




'USA 3-2 Portugal | Match Highlights':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/X9F8P1vEEaM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/X9F8P1vEEaM</a>




'Poland 3-1 USA':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/dts4W03OpFQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/dts4W03OpFQ</a>




'South Africa 2 x 3 Spain':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/gYFvvWptWGc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/gYFvvWptWGc</a>




'Paraguay 2 x 2 South Africa':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/AGduZI8Fyms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/AGduZI8Fyms</a>




'Croácia 2 x 1 Itália':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ZIwb5x2ff1k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ZIwb5x2ff1k</a>




'Japan 2 x 2 Belgium':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/W0Xs-RS_U9Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/W0Xs-RS_U9Y</a>




'Belgium 3 - 2 Russia | Match Highlights':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/X-tdk2YxBPU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/X-tdk2YxBPU</a>




'Uruguay vs Senegal':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/dux4qk6gY78" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/dux4qk6gY78</a>




'Sweden vs Senegal':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/6WhcszCaJYc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/6WhcszCaJYc</a>




'England vs Brazil':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4JcwixRnFhs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4JcwixRnFhs</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/4JcwixRnFhs

& England at the 2002 World Cup - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup#South_Korea/Japan_2002




'Germany Vs Ireland':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/f2zKb4R6yEI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/f2zKb4R6yEI</a>




'Spain vs Ireland':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/st8f8W70BO0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/st8f8W70BO0</a>




'Spain (3) 0 x 0 (5) Korea Republic':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Nxxkd_LtQHw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Nxxkd_LtQHw</a>






The Semi-Finals...


'World Cup 2002 - Germany Vs South Korea - Semi-Final Highlights':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Ro6-NvG-lOw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Ro6-NvG-lOw</a>




'World Cup 2002 - Brazil Vs Turkey - Semi-Final Highlights':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/fwGoUUGSm9g" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/fwGoUUGSm9g</a>






The 3rd Place PlayOff...


'3rd place play-off - Korea Republic 2 x 3 Turkey':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/V8jOiXbcg_M" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/V8jOiXbcg_M</a>






The 2002 World Cup Final...


'Brazil 2 - 0 Germany | FIFA World Cup 2002 Final | 7 minute Highlights HD':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/lsdAYwjBEhQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/lsdAYwjBEhQ</a>



'Germany v Brazil | 2002 FIFA World Cup Final | Full Match':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NUhOBQejuPE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NUhOBQejuPE</a>















'World Cup 2002. BBC Final Montage':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/p0tuxiixR3w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/p0tuxiixR3w</a>




'Fifa World Cup 2002 Summary':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/SKJDc0TKqX8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/SKJDc0TKqX8</a>




'Panini Album "FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 2002"':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_D7r0ZJsFg0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_D7r0ZJsFg0</a>





'The conspiracy theory: South Korea's route to the semi-finals' - www.irishtimes.com/sport/the-conspiracy-theory-south-korea-s-route-to-the-semi-finals-1.1061672

'Korean miracle spoilt by refereeing farce' - www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3029872/Korean-miracle-spoilt-by-refereeing-farce.html

'How The 2002 World Cup Became The Most Controversial Tournament in Recent Memory' - www.vice.com/en/article/ywgx4y/how-the-2002-world-cup-became-the-most-controversial-tournament-in-recent-memory

The 2002 World Cup Conspiracy - https://troubleandsqueak.com/2014/04/12/the-controversy-surrounding-the-2002-world-cup

'Italian Paper Alleges FIFA Used Corrupt Refs To Fix 2002 World Cup Games' - https://deadspin.com/italian-paper-alleges-fifa-used-corrupt-refs-to-fix-200-1707704308

'A forensic analysis of Byron Moreno’s refereeing in Italy v South Korea, 2002' - www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/a-forensic-analysis-of-byron-morenos-refereeing-in-italy-v-south-korea-2002

'Infamous South Korea-Italy World Cup 2002 Referee Byron Moreno Arrested For Heroin Possession - Report' - www.goal.com/en/news/1884/north-america/2010/09/21/2130136/infamous-south-korea-italy-world-cup-2002-referee-byron

'What ever happened to Byron Moreno? The heroin-smuggling worst referee in history' - www.goal.com/en-gb/news/from-bandit-referee-to-drug-smuggler-what-happened-to-byron/19k8pz1j2pamu1etxnvqxy8v6j

'FIFA: No intention to investigate arrested former referee Byron Moreno' - www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2010/09/23/fifa_no_intention_to_investigate_arrested_former_referee_byron_moreno.html

'FIFA crisis a reminder of the 2002 World Cup Scandal' - https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/fifa-crisis-sparks-reminder-of-2002-world-cup-scandal

[rafathegaffa83]

Senegal beating France (this World Cup's Argentina-Cameroon moment). Rivaldo being an utter prick against Turkey. The officiating in that Italy-S. Korea match. Ahn Jung-hwan getting his contract cancelled by Perugia for having the temerity to knock Italy out

[Sangria]

Two styles of football stadia, with the Japanese modelling theirs on modern mega-stadia, and the Koreans modelling theirs on English football grounds.

[rafathegaffa83]

Two styles of football stadia, with the Japanese modelling theirs on modern mega-stadia, and the Koreans modelling theirs on English football grounds.

Japanese stadiums were largely built/refurbished with a useful afterlife in mind largely as multipurpose baseball/athletics/football stadiums. Japan also had the Sapporo Dome where the floating pitch was grown outside and wheeled in by pulling away one of the stadium walls. This was revolutionary at the time given how turf was rolled out like a carpet in the Detroit USA 94 matches at the Pontiac Silverdome, resulting in an uneven pitch

[Nitramdorf]

I think this World Cup was when I roughly went from wanting England to win, since the late 70s, to disliking them, to outright laughing when they get knocked out.
Maybe it was the whole Beckham saga/circus.
I can barely remember any games, just moments like Seaman being lobbed again, Rivaldo being a twat. I seem to remember that utter prick Trevor Sinclair being in the team for god knows what reason.
My most abiding memory is a personal one, when my bosses set up a telly for the Brazil v England game at work. They came and asked if I wanted to watch it, I told them the shove it up their arse and walked out after 18 years service, was a great day.

Warm World Cup memories for me now seem entirely based on childhood, '78 and '82 will never be beaten for me.

[Kekule]

I think this World Cup was when I roughly went from wanting England to win, since the late 70s, to disliking them, to outright laughing when they get knocked out.
Maybe it was the whole Beckham saga/circus.
I can barely remember any games, just moments like Seaman being lobbed again, Rivaldo being a twat. I seem to remember that utter prick Trevor Sinclair being in the team for god knows what reason.
My most abiding memory is a personal one, when my bosses set up a telly for the Brazil v England game at work. They came and asked if I wanted to watch it, I told them the shove it up their arse and walked out after 18 years service, was a great day.

Warm World Cup memories for me now seem entirely based on childhood, '78 and '82 will never be beaten for me.

Gerrard was injured.  His replacement (can't remember who it was) got injured.  That person's replacement was Danny Murphy.  He got injured.  Kieron Dyer was then named in the squad.  He got injured.

5th choice Trev stayed fit.

[A-Bomb]

I think this World Cup was when I roughly went from wanting England to win, since the late 70s, to disliking them, to outright laughing when they get knocked out.
Maybe it was the whole Beckham saga/circus.
I can barely remember any games, just moments like Seaman being lobbed again, Rivaldo being a twat. I seem to remember that utter prick Trevor Sinclair being in the team for god knows what reason.
My most abiding memory is a personal one, when my bosses set up a telly for the Brazil v England game at work. They came and asked if I wanted to watch it, I told them the shove it up their arse and walked out after 18 years service, was a great day.

Warm World Cup memories for me now seem entirely based on childhood, '78 and '82 will never be beaten for me.

He was supposed to be the solution to the left side problem......

2002 was really all about full english breakfasts in the pub with a pint at silly o'clock, smashed by lunchtime.

[Crosby Nick]

Gerrard was injured.  His replacement (can't remember who it was) got injured.  That person's replacement was Danny Murphy.  He got injured.  Kieron Dyer was then named in the squad.  He got injured.

5th choice Trev stayed fit.

Yeah. Think he did ok as a bit of a solid choice who didn’t offer a huge amount. Danny Mills was first choice right back too as Neville was injured (were there no other options?).

[Drinks Sangria]

Gerrard was injured.  His replacement (can't remember who it was) got injured.  That person's replacement was Danny Murphy.  He got injured.  Kieron Dyer was then named in the squad.  He got injured.

5th choice Trev stayed fit.

I seem to remember Owen Hargreaves was meant to go? Early days at Bayern Munich. Or did he play and I'm misremembering? They took 36 year old Martin Keown and 36 year old Teddy Sheringham, as well as Sven's baffling favourite, Darius Vassell.

[Crosby Nick]

I seem to remember Owen Hargreaves was meant to go? Early days at Bayern Munich. Or did he play and I'm misremembering? They took 36 year old Martin Keown and 36 year old Teddy Sheringham, as well as Sven's baffling favourite, Darius Vassell.

Not as mad as 2006 when he took Walcott and Aaron Lennon, neither had been capped til the pre World Cup games.

I think Hargreaves did play didn’t he? Or was he injured too because Nicky Butt was a starter. Did pretty well with a fairly depleted side actually.

[Kekule]

For some reason one of my more vivid memories from this tournament was Garth Crook's post match interview with Ericksson after the Nigeria game in the group stage (I don't remember one second of the actual game).  After beating Argentina everyone was saying how a draw would be enough to see England qualify for the knockouts regardless of the Sweden-Argentina game.  It must have been said about million times in the days before the game, and in commentary, all the staff knew it, all the players knew it. It was an easy bit of maths.

Upon drawing 0-0, and all the players high fiving each other, Ericksson smiling and fans cheering, Crooks rushes up to him with his mic and breathlessly announces "Sven, Sven I can confirm you have qualified". As if it was somehow in any doubt.

Ericksson just looked at him as if to say "yeah, we know...and who the fuck do you think you are you to be confirming anything to me."  19 years ago Crooks was being a prick and he's still got a job.

[Drinks Sangria]

For some reason one of my more vivid memories from this tournament was Garth Crook's post match interview with Ericksson after the Nigeria game in the group stage (I don't remember one second of the actual game).  After beating Argentina everyone was saying how a draw would be enough to see England qualify for the knockouts regardless of the Sweden-Argentina game.  It must have been said about million times in the days before the game, and in commentary, all the staff knew it, all the players knew it. It was an easy bit of maths.

Upon drawing 0-0, and all the players high fiving each other, Ericksson smiling and fans cheering, Crooks rushes up to him with his mic and breathlessly announces "Sven, Sven I can confirm you have qualified". As if it was somehow in any doubt.

Ericksson just looked at him as if to say "yeah, we know...and who the fuck do you think you are you to be confirming anything to me."  19 years ago Crooks was being a prick and he's still got a job.

Can't recall that but it doesn't surprise me. Absolute idiot tart of the highest order. Maybe the worst pundit going, which is saying something.

It was a crap, boring game. Nigeria were already out, as England had 4 points and couldn't be caught and any result in Sweden v Argentina had one of those sides through (Sweden after a draw, if I recall correctly), so as you've said a bore draw suited England.

Argentina up there with France for biggest disappointments - look at that Starting XI - Cavallero, Pochettino, Samuel, Placente, Zanetti, Simeone, Veron, Sorin, Ortega, Batistuta, Crespo. Wild.

[paulrazor]

Not as mad as 2006 when he took Walcott and Aaron Lennon, neither had been capped til the pre World Cup games.

I think Hargreaves did play didn’t he? Or was he injured too because Nicky Butt was a starter. Did pretty well with a fairly depleted side actually.

Walcott was absolutely bizarre

made no sense at all

Defoe or Bent would have made more sense particularly as Owen and Rooney had fitness issues