Qualification: 1st place in Group 6 in European qualification

Star Player: Wayne Rooney

Anaylsis: The birthplace of football. The birthplace of my least favourite national team. The English media always tips them to go far in tournaments and they never do. Sometimes they do not even qualify (Euro 2008). I have to stop criticizing though. As much as it hurts to admit, these guys are for real. They breezed past qualification. They only conceded 6 goals in 10 games and I think that separates good teams from great teams. John Terry is not the same player anymore and Rio Ferdinand could be the most overrated defender in football, but this team is organized. England has always had the stars that play on the biggest clubs in the best league in the world. They just could not put it together on the international stage. In years past, England did not have the manager that could get away from the immense pressure of the English media. Sven Goran Eriksson was always criticized, but I didnt think he was that bad. Then there was Steve McClaren. If he is the best manager England has to offer, that is embarassing (Sir Alex Ferguson is Scottish for those who don’t know). The Football Association (FA) got it right this time around. Forget home grown managers and get someone with a proven pedigree. They brought in the Italian; Fabio Capello. One of the most successful managers of the past quarter century. They brought someone in who would not be intimidated by the media and had his own thoughts on the game. You can tell in press conferences how much respect the players have for him. It shows on the field as well. England always beat up on the minnows in qualifying and the media annointed them. They are still doing this under Capello, but they killed Croatia home and away. (5-1,6-1). That is very impressive. I like England’s chances this year, because they are more organized than usual and they have Wayne Rooney. I always felt England needed that world class striker and keeper. They have not solved their keeper problems, but there is no problem upfront. Wayne Rooney has always been a world class player. This year is different though. He is playing as the lead stirker and he is a doing a world class job (Ranked 3rd on my Top 50 Players in the World Cup list). He is consistently scoring goals. He has filled Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes at United brilliantly. Rooney and Gerrard playing well on the same team will be scary. If those two are clicking, then that spells trouble for the rest of the world. England have players who can score plenty of goals and with Capello they have a coach that can get them organized. If they go deep into this tournament and play Spain or Brazil, that organization will be key. Whenever England come against a world soccer power, they seem to come up short. I think this is England’s last go for awhile. Lampard, Gerrard and Terry may not be the same players in 4 years. I think that with all their experience, on the field and on the bench, they can compete with any team. They do not have the quality that Brazil, Spain or Argentina have, but Capello’s teams know how to grind out results. If they can defend as a unit then they are capable of shutting these teams down. John Terry is not the same player he once was, but I have always been a fan of him. He can organize a team just as good as anyone. They should have no problems getting out of their group. The best team they can play in round 2 is Germany. I think England will win there. If they make it to the quarters, they will probably play France or Argentina. This is the big test in my opinion. This is where that organization at the back will come into play. If England can stay composed and with Rooney at the top of his game, they are more than capable. The English historically do not do well in shootouts so hopefully they can avoid this. If they get past this stage, then confidence will be sky high. They have a very realistic chance of winning. With experience at the back, experience on the bench, and a quality striker up front, England can take home the prize their country covets most. Hopefully David James (or whoever is between the up rights) does not make any huge mistakes. Is football coming home? I hope not, but it very well could.