Post by Scott on Jun 7, 2006 15:43:59 GMT
From The Guardian:
Germany
The host nation's commentators have been impressed with the pace and skill of the England squad - comparing it favourably with the much slower game played in the Bundesliga. "English football has made a huge contribution," Urs Siegenthaler, Germany's chief team scout, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung yesterday. "All world class players now play this offensive football." Last weekend Bild am Sonntag, Germany's best-selling tabloid, speculated that England would meet Germany in the final - and win 1-0 - with Sven-Goran Eriksson's side having beaten Brazil and Argentina in the semi and quarter-finals. The local paper in Baden-Baden added: "If Peter Crouch can learn how to take penalties anything is possible." Luke Harding
Respect rating 8/10
Italy
Forty years may have passed since England's only World Cup triumph, but in Italy Eriksson's side is ranked among the favourites to go all the way in Germany. "I think England have the best midfield in the tournament," said the former Italy captain Paolo Maldini. "I rate England more or less on the same level as the other teams who can lift the trophy in Germany." Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is also convinced that England have everything necessary to win the World Cup. "I think we are favourites with Brazil, Germany and Argentina but there are other teams who can win, especially England who can count on great players such as [Steven] Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard and many others," he said. Paolo Menicucci
Respect rating 8/10
Brazil
Marcelo Damato, editor of the sports daily Lance!, says that in 2002 he was shocked at how intimidated England were when they played Brazil: "I have never seen a team enter a match with such submission. However, this time I think it will be different. From the news we are getting there has been a total change of attitude in the England squad and they are really putting themselves about as contenders for the title." Brazilians on the whole are confident they will win their sixth World Cup and see Italy and England as their most serious challengers. Damato added: "When England's best player was Shearer, you could tell they weren't going to win anything. But for the first time England have great players. It's the best English team in any World Cup I can remember." Alex Bellos
Respect rating 7/10
Spain
There is little faith in the squad but England's starting XI, the Spanish believe, is almost as good as any other at the tournament. "England are among the favourites, only behind Brazil," says Oscar Rincon, who will anchor the television coverage in Germany. For Juan Castro from Spain's best selling newspaper Marca, that is an understatement: "England are favourites with Brazil and maybe one other," he insists. Described as a "beast" by the former Spain international and television pundit Míchel, Wayne Rooney is a star here too - a man who, in the words of Míchel Salgado, "is a bull, so strong he'd be perfect for any job, including helping you move house." And it is not just Rooney - or Michael Owen, who left a lasting impression in Madrid. The Spanish are convinced that England are strong throughout, with Spain's most respected intellectual analyst, the former Argentina midfielder Jorge Valdano, insisting: "John Terry is a wardrobe with a deadly serious defender inside." Sid Lowe
Respect rating 9/10
France
The commentators are not hugely optimistic about England's chances but they are willing to concede the team has some potential stars. Libération picked two English players in its fantasy World Cup team: John Terry and Steven Gerrard and the only other countries to provide two players were Brazil and the Czech Republic. But the paper warned that England could be undone by the Swedish team in their third game. The France Football magazine yesterday ran a double-page spread on England's five "big boys" in praise of Beckham, Terry, Lampard, Owen and Gerrard. Terry was lauded as an all-round player who made up for a lack of speed with his intelligence. Gerrard had come out of Beckham and Owen's shadows as the true team leader, a master of "technical, mental and physical skill" while Beckham was the "Spice Boy". Angelique Chrisafis
Respect rating 7/10
Argentina
The belief is that England have a real chance this year, as a poll in the Olé sports paper showed. Only 5.6% of the readers believe England will go home after the group stage. Pagina 12 had Lampard as one of the 10 players most likely to shine in Germany, and added: "England have sent out a warning that they are serious candidates to win the World Cup." Andrew Downie
Respect rating 7/10
Germany
The host nation's commentators have been impressed with the pace and skill of the England squad - comparing it favourably with the much slower game played in the Bundesliga. "English football has made a huge contribution," Urs Siegenthaler, Germany's chief team scout, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung yesterday. "All world class players now play this offensive football." Last weekend Bild am Sonntag, Germany's best-selling tabloid, speculated that England would meet Germany in the final - and win 1-0 - with Sven-Goran Eriksson's side having beaten Brazil and Argentina in the semi and quarter-finals. The local paper in Baden-Baden added: "If Peter Crouch can learn how to take penalties anything is possible." Luke Harding
Respect rating 8/10
Italy
Forty years may have passed since England's only World Cup triumph, but in Italy Eriksson's side is ranked among the favourites to go all the way in Germany. "I think England have the best midfield in the tournament," said the former Italy captain Paolo Maldini. "I rate England more or less on the same level as the other teams who can lift the trophy in Germany." Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is also convinced that England have everything necessary to win the World Cup. "I think we are favourites with Brazil, Germany and Argentina but there are other teams who can win, especially England who can count on great players such as [Steven] Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard and many others," he said. Paolo Menicucci
Respect rating 8/10
Brazil
Marcelo Damato, editor of the sports daily Lance!, says that in 2002 he was shocked at how intimidated England were when they played Brazil: "I have never seen a team enter a match with such submission. However, this time I think it will be different. From the news we are getting there has been a total change of attitude in the England squad and they are really putting themselves about as contenders for the title." Brazilians on the whole are confident they will win their sixth World Cup and see Italy and England as their most serious challengers. Damato added: "When England's best player was Shearer, you could tell they weren't going to win anything. But for the first time England have great players. It's the best English team in any World Cup I can remember." Alex Bellos
Respect rating 7/10
Spain
There is little faith in the squad but England's starting XI, the Spanish believe, is almost as good as any other at the tournament. "England are among the favourites, only behind Brazil," says Oscar Rincon, who will anchor the television coverage in Germany. For Juan Castro from Spain's best selling newspaper Marca, that is an understatement: "England are favourites with Brazil and maybe one other," he insists. Described as a "beast" by the former Spain international and television pundit Míchel, Wayne Rooney is a star here too - a man who, in the words of Míchel Salgado, "is a bull, so strong he'd be perfect for any job, including helping you move house." And it is not just Rooney - or Michael Owen, who left a lasting impression in Madrid. The Spanish are convinced that England are strong throughout, with Spain's most respected intellectual analyst, the former Argentina midfielder Jorge Valdano, insisting: "John Terry is a wardrobe with a deadly serious defender inside." Sid Lowe
Respect rating 9/10
France
The commentators are not hugely optimistic about England's chances but they are willing to concede the team has some potential stars. Libération picked two English players in its fantasy World Cup team: John Terry and Steven Gerrard and the only other countries to provide two players were Brazil and the Czech Republic. But the paper warned that England could be undone by the Swedish team in their third game. The France Football magazine yesterday ran a double-page spread on England's five "big boys" in praise of Beckham, Terry, Lampard, Owen and Gerrard. Terry was lauded as an all-round player who made up for a lack of speed with his intelligence. Gerrard had come out of Beckham and Owen's shadows as the true team leader, a master of "technical, mental and physical skill" while Beckham was the "Spice Boy". Angelique Chrisafis
Respect rating 7/10
Argentina
The belief is that England have a real chance this year, as a poll in the Olé sports paper showed. Only 5.6% of the readers believe England will go home after the group stage. Pagina 12 had Lampard as one of the 10 players most likely to shine in Germany, and added: "England have sent out a warning that they are serious candidates to win the World Cup." Andrew Downie
Respect rating 7/10
