2002

It is now.

The Ball has now returned back to England, but we’re not done with it quite yet - this site will continue to develop even though there’s no more Cup. As well as the continuing saga on video, there will be flashbacks to times we didn’t manage to write about, more on the real story of how football left home, and some extra eyecandy for you all. With a bit of luck, we’ll keep this site growing and changing until The Ball 2006 leaves for Germany in just under four years time.

World Cup 2002 RIP.

World Cup 2006 here we come: a new blog and another plan for a trip.

Roll on 2006!
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Homeward bound…
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How bright his star is shining

I was trying to think up tabloid headlines like ‘Kahn you believe it?’, ‘Ronaldo the Kahnivore’ to title this entry, but decided to keep it simple instead. Indeed, I’m only going to burden the world with another two points of game analysis. But before getting on to that, I have to say:

Congratulations to Brazil… commiserations to Germany… what a game that was…
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So, The Boy Noble signs off at the end of a fantastic World Cup, from every perspective. The amazing results, the wonderful Japanese - who can’t be praised highly enough, and the fans from all round the world who were nothing but friendly, and from a personal point of view, it’s been absolutely fantastic - seeing my first England game is a moment I’ll never forget (even if the game might be)….
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Camera to camera brings on the smiles

Again we have the pleasure to share a stadium with the Brazilian fans, but this time they won leaving only one game between themselves and a possible FIVE World Cup championships. ‘PENTA Campion’ rings off their lips with understandable confidence, though of course the mighty Kahn will stand between the sticks for Germany.

‘Penta Campion’ rings out here in this mpeg.
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Nothing in Tokyo is this free

Phil holds the precious tickets, but his wallet is now lighter than air

Not a report on the game - mainly because it hasn’t happened yet. But when it does, we’re going to be pitchside - just scored two category one tickets…

Must dash - got a game to see!

Crowds framed by umbrellas

Unlucky Korea went out to the Cup last night… rather overpowered by a German team playing a similar style of football - a disciplined team game with little flair and much hard work. Korea had far fewer chances than they did against any of the latin teams that they put out of the competition, and in the end, succumbed to the sustained German pressure.
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Well I woke up this morning,
To catch a bullet to the game…

Shooting ourselves in the foot(ball)

But the waking wasn’t worth it,
Coz the football match was lame…
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We’re finally in Japan on the same soil as our boys, who in 3 ‘n’ a half hours are taking on Brazil. The tension in me runs. We are heading off to Shizuoka to get as close as we can, have no ticket and aren’t certain of a big screen situation and have also heard that it can be difficult to see games at all!!

Surely not!!

We shall see.

Come on you EEEEEENGERLAND!