The Sunday Times May 28, 2006
Follow the Cup from home
The World Cup finals kick off on June 9. Derek Clements selects star sites for passionate pundits and football newbies
Come on, England!
You may not be going to the World Cup in Germany next month, but you can still enjoy the action from your computer: watch match highlights; follow Wayne Rooney’s progress as his metatarsal mends; even listen to passionate daily debate on amateur fan podcasts. Kick off with www.fifaworldcup.com, which offers profiles of all 32 squads, together with the most up-to-date team news and details of all 12 stadiums to be used during the competition. A huge video-clip store of iconic moments from past tournaments should whet the appetite: from the sublime (Maradona’s solo effort against England in 1986) to the ridiculous (Cameroon striker Roger Milla’s corner-flag celebrations four years later).
You will also find biographies of the players to watch, trivia quizzes and the latest world rankings — see if you can work out how on earth the USA can be ranked above the likes of France, Portugal, Argentina and England. Fans desiring a genial flutter with friends can download a World Cup sweepstake kit at the (not officially endorsed) www.2006fifaworldcup.co.uk.
For the latest news coverage, and features on every team and every group, visit the special World Cup section on www.timesonline.co.uk, which will be updated throughout the day and night during the tournament. The site will also feature exclusive graphics that will show you every goal and blogs from correspondents in Germany.
Following the action
In theory, www.thefa.com will keep you up to date with all the goings-on in the England camp, but don’t expect much if controversy arises, such as gambling debts or late-night drinking sessions involving dentistry paraphernalia (remember Euro 96 in England?). The site offers minute-by-minute coverage, should you be away from the television at the time of a match. By signing up to the free membership, you gain access to the World Cup video console. This enables you to watch footage of the team training in Germany — see for yourself if Rooney is still limping — as well as interviews with players, coaches and other camp insiders.
Match highlights are also promised, and fans will get the opportunity to take part in web chats with players. You can also become a member of the Official England Supporters Club here — giving you preferential treatment for match tickets, along with a membership card and card wallet, an England DVD, an England pin badge, an “exclusive” mouse mat, a baseball cap, a St George’s flag and a limited-edition signed print of the England squad. Once upon a time, you took the phone off the hook, put your feet up, cracked open a can of beer and switched on the TV.
Many England fans will continue with that noble tradition, but those who don’t want to should visit www.sportspubs.co.uk/worldcup, which will identify the pubs in your area that will be showing matches. The Wellington Arms in Watford, for instance, is described as a big, friendly pub, strong on real ale, including the likes of the Camra award-winning Bitter & Twisted, which you will need in copious amounts should England come a cropper.
Talking a good game
Whether you want to discuss the strategic implications of Sven’s latest formation or voice your anguish at a poor refereeing decision, you will be in good company at www.worldcupblog.org, where budding Alan Hansens can have their say as the World Cup progresses. This is the closest the web gets to post-match analysis in the pub, only without the essential amber fuel and pork scratchings.
There is gossip from the camps of all 32 teams involved in the tournament — some of it well informed, some plain daft and some highly amusing. For instance, the site claims that the former German goalkeeper Sepp Maier believes Jens Lehmann, the Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper, has been given the No 1 jersey only because his wife is a friend of Jürgen Klinsmann’s other half — Klinsmann is the German coach, and is known to consult his wife before making selection decisions.
There are some more amateur pundits at work at www.soccershout.com, a football podcast headed by devoted fans Phil and Tony. For the World Cup, they have invited a group of writers from a number of independent club websites to contribute to the show, offering news, match reports and previews, and you will be able to listen to their views, along with the opinions of their band of listeners, daily. Phil’s wife is due to give birth on June 9 — the opening day of the World Cup — so their first tournament podcast could be interesting.
German culture
If you are really to feel part of this World Cup, then a few handy German football phrases are essential. The British embassy’s glossary (www.tinyurl.com/ovd8u) contains some gems, although the stony absolutism of “Fußball ist ein einfaches Spiel; 22 Männer rennen 90 Minuten lang einem Ball hinterher. Und am Ende gewinnen die Deutschen” (Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes. And at the end, the Germans win) may not be one to recite in an English pub. Depending on how results pan out, you will be überglücklich (over the moon), or kotzübel (sick as a parrot). Either way, refreshment will be in order. German beer is superb, so it is a trifle bizarre that Budweiser is the official beer of the World Cup — it is American, and many real beer drinkers will tell you that it’s not that good.
If you want to know what real German football fans will be drinking, head to www.realbeer.com, which lists top-selling beers throughout the world. Did you know that Oetker is Germany’s biggest brewer, and that it is responsible for Clausthaler, the nonalcoholic beer. (Whose idea was that? And why?) Bitburger is one of the most famous German beers, and is among the best you can buy (£2 per bottle from www.onlyfinebeer.co.uk); or discover the country’s more esoteric brews with a session at www.realbeer.com/edu/germany.
You may prefer to sample a glass or two of German wine. Quality and prices vary, but www.winedancer.com has an section devoted to everything from Michael Schafer Riesling Classic Trocken (£5.75 per bottle) to the glorious Laubenheimer Trockenbeerenauslese (£23.50 per half-bottle). Whatever you do, steer clear of the schnapps.
When it comes to food, you may count yourself lucky that you are staying at home: some German restaurants have announced that babies will be banned; others are to be guarded by soldiers (well, it IS Germany). For a hassle-free way to sample German cuisine, try www.Germandeli.co.uk. The site offers sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) from £1.10 for 335g; pepper salami at £1.90 for 100g; and a mind-boggling array of sausages, including the mettwurst knacker (a smoked coarse sausage that can be consumed hot or cold) and the “more robust” bockwurst. Delicious.
thetimesonline.co.uk
Follow the Cup from home
The World Cup finals kick off on June 9. Derek Clements selects star sites for passionate pundits and football newbies
Come on, England!
You may not be going to the World Cup in Germany next month, but you can still enjoy the action from your computer: watch match highlights; follow Wayne Rooney’s progress as his metatarsal mends; even listen to passionate daily debate on amateur fan podcasts. Kick off with www.fifaworldcup.com, which offers profiles of all 32 squads, together with the most up-to-date team news and details of all 12 stadiums to be used during the competition. A huge video-clip store of iconic moments from past tournaments should whet the appetite: from the sublime (Maradona’s solo effort against England in 1986) to the ridiculous (Cameroon striker Roger Milla’s corner-flag celebrations four years later).
You will also find biographies of the players to watch, trivia quizzes and the latest world rankings — see if you can work out how on earth the USA can be ranked above the likes of France, Portugal, Argentina and England. Fans desiring a genial flutter with friends can download a World Cup sweepstake kit at the (not officially endorsed) www.2006fifaworldcup.co.uk.
For the latest news coverage, and features on every team and every group, visit the special World Cup section on www.timesonline.co.uk, which will be updated throughout the day and night during the tournament. The site will also feature exclusive graphics that will show you every goal and blogs from correspondents in Germany.
Following the action
In theory, www.thefa.com will keep you up to date with all the goings-on in the England camp, but don’t expect much if controversy arises, such as gambling debts or late-night drinking sessions involving dentistry paraphernalia (remember Euro 96 in England?). The site offers minute-by-minute coverage, should you be away from the television at the time of a match. By signing up to the free membership, you gain access to the World Cup video console. This enables you to watch footage of the team training in Germany — see for yourself if Rooney is still limping — as well as interviews with players, coaches and other camp insiders.
Match highlights are also promised, and fans will get the opportunity to take part in web chats with players. You can also become a member of the Official England Supporters Club here — giving you preferential treatment for match tickets, along with a membership card and card wallet, an England DVD, an England pin badge, an “exclusive” mouse mat, a baseball cap, a St George’s flag and a limited-edition signed print of the England squad. Once upon a time, you took the phone off the hook, put your feet up, cracked open a can of beer and switched on the TV.
Many England fans will continue with that noble tradition, but those who don’t want to should visit www.sportspubs.co.uk/worldcup, which will identify the pubs in your area that will be showing matches. The Wellington Arms in Watford, for instance, is described as a big, friendly pub, strong on real ale, including the likes of the Camra award-winning Bitter & Twisted, which you will need in copious amounts should England come a cropper.
Talking a good game
Whether you want to discuss the strategic implications of Sven’s latest formation or voice your anguish at a poor refereeing decision, you will be in good company at www.worldcupblog.org, where budding Alan Hansens can have their say as the World Cup progresses. This is the closest the web gets to post-match analysis in the pub, only without the essential amber fuel and pork scratchings.
There is gossip from the camps of all 32 teams involved in the tournament — some of it well informed, some plain daft and some highly amusing. For instance, the site claims that the former German goalkeeper Sepp Maier believes Jens Lehmann, the Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper, has been given the No 1 jersey only because his wife is a friend of Jürgen Klinsmann’s other half — Klinsmann is the German coach, and is known to consult his wife before making selection decisions.
There are some more amateur pundits at work at www.soccershout.com, a football podcast headed by devoted fans Phil and Tony. For the World Cup, they have invited a group of writers from a number of independent club websites to contribute to the show, offering news, match reports and previews, and you will be able to listen to their views, along with the opinions of their band of listeners, daily. Phil’s wife is due to give birth on June 9 — the opening day of the World Cup — so their first tournament podcast could be interesting.
German culture
If you are really to feel part of this World Cup, then a few handy German football phrases are essential. The British embassy’s glossary (www.tinyurl.com/ovd8u) contains some gems, although the stony absolutism of “Fußball ist ein einfaches Spiel; 22 Männer rennen 90 Minuten lang einem Ball hinterher. Und am Ende gewinnen die Deutschen” (Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes. And at the end, the Germans win) may not be one to recite in an English pub. Depending on how results pan out, you will be überglücklich (over the moon), or kotzübel (sick as a parrot). Either way, refreshment will be in order. German beer is superb, so it is a trifle bizarre that Budweiser is the official beer of the World Cup — it is American, and many real beer drinkers will tell you that it’s not that good.
If you want to know what real German football fans will be drinking, head to www.realbeer.com, which lists top-selling beers throughout the world. Did you know that Oetker is Germany’s biggest brewer, and that it is responsible for Clausthaler, the nonalcoholic beer. (Whose idea was that? And why?) Bitburger is one of the most famous German beers, and is among the best you can buy (£2 per bottle from www.onlyfinebeer.co.uk); or discover the country’s more esoteric brews with a session at www.realbeer.com/edu/germany.
You may prefer to sample a glass or two of German wine. Quality and prices vary, but www.winedancer.com has an section devoted to everything from Michael Schafer Riesling Classic Trocken (£5.75 per bottle) to the glorious Laubenheimer Trockenbeerenauslese (£23.50 per half-bottle). Whatever you do, steer clear of the schnapps.
When it comes to food, you may count yourself lucky that you are staying at home: some German restaurants have announced that babies will be banned; others are to be guarded by soldiers (well, it IS Germany). For a hassle-free way to sample German cuisine, try www.Germandeli.co.uk. The site offers sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) from £1.10 for 335g; pepper salami at £1.90 for 100g; and a mind-boggling array of sausages, including the mettwurst knacker (a smoked coarse sausage that can be consumed hot or cold) and the “more robust” bockwurst. Delicious.
thetimesonline.co.uk