>I suppose every country has its laments about the World Cup. It does inspire passion. I'm not quite agreeing with you, though, that England has been afflicted by dubious refereeing.

Best example was allowing Mradonna's hand ball into the net. Argentina should have been stripped of their win and M. hung up by his cahonies for that travesty of justice.

>Was it dubious refereeing when they got knocked out in France when the goalkeeper misjudged a free kick and let it sail in right over his head?

Of course not ALL losses are due to bad luck or decisions.

>I cheer for England but my suspicion is that when they play in a tournament with native-born players -- as opposed to the Premier League where the players come from all over the world -- they are not quite athletic enough.

And foreign players are more athletic!?

>
>This time Lady Luck has actually been shining on the English squad.

Like our ace striker and arguably the best player in the world in the team with a broiken meta-tarsal, just weeks before the tournament, resulting in his not being able to run around and keep fit?

Like losing our other striker to a torn knee ligament just 1 minute into the match?

>First they were placed in a weak group, from which they emerged despite playing uninspiredly. They then drew the less than fearsome Paraguay in the round of 16, playing better but still winning only by 1-0. Next they play Portugal, down two key players because of red cards from the mad Russian. The goalkeeper is already making excuses that their desultory play has been because of poor field maintenance by the German hosts. (Have their opponents been playing on different pitches?) Enough whinging and moaning. Let's see the English team actually show up to play, then they can talk and explain.
>

D'accord!