Football-Ownage

How did they get to Germany: The hard way. Qualifying went down to the wire after surprise defeat to Northern Ireland, but they ended up topping the group. What was all the fuss about?

Qualifying star: Dutch defender Barry Opdam. His 37th minute goal against the Czech Republic did not just secure a win for Holland, it secured England's place at the finals.

Manager: Sven-Goran Eriksson. An urbane, Swedish sophisticate with an ice-cool footballing brain when he took the job on in January 2001. Times, and opinions, change.

World Cup pedigree: Invariably qualify and invariably flatter to deceive. Their underachievement on the world stage is only "bettered" by Spain.

World Cup high: 1966 and all that.

World Cup low: The most recent effort - particularly with Turkey waiting in the last four. A goal up to Brazil in the quarter-finals, but Beckham & co failed to make that advantage tell even though they had 30 minutes against 10 men.

World Cup legend: Bobby Moore. The captain of England's 1966 triumph and a player who could glide through matches with ease due his extraordinary ability to read the game. Transferred those skills onto the silver screen as Terry Brady in 'Escape to Victory'.

Strengths: The undoubted quality coursing through the team.

Weaknesses: Despite the talent, the team all too often fails to gel and Eriksson faces a World Cup conundrum as to whether Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can play in the same team.

Did you know? If Lampard was not a footballer he'd fancy his chances as a lawyer. The midfield maestro is the only member of the England squad who went to a private school.

World ranking: 9

Odds: 13/2

Local view: "There's a good chance we'll have a good World Cup. They could win, but if you pushed me I think Brazil will win." Glenn Hoddle, former England manager.

football-ownage's verdict: World campions England 5-1 Germany in the final (kahn scores an own goal)