| THE 2006
FOOTBALL WORLD CUP - WHAT IF AND MAYBE? So the World
Cup is moving up a gear or two and already the 'England Factor' is
kicking in with some cricket clubs facing player shortages owing to
football fans going to Germany or wanting time away from the cricket
square to follow the games on the television.
The North Devon Cricket League has already recognised the
possible desire for players to want to watch the World Cup Final on
July 9th; and have issued a directive allowing all teams playing
that day the opportunity to bring start times for league games
forward, so that players, match officials and supporters can all
watch the football.
After England�s first-game win, coupled with the shock draw
between Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago it does seem highly likely now
that England will win their group and if this happens there is the
potential for TWO more cricket days to be seriously affected by
televised England games.
If England do indeed go on and win Group B then they will meet
the runners-up in Group A, which after the Ecuador win over Poland,
suggests that the South Americans and not the Europeans will be the
next opponents in the second round. If that all goes to plan then
round two will be played on Sunday June 25th at 4pm, England versus
Ecuador.
If England progress beyond round two then they would be set for a
Saturday July 1st encounter, likely to be against Holland or
Portugal and this game would kick off at 4pm.
Thereafter the semi-final would take place on Wednesday July 5th
at 8pm before the World Cup Final four days later.
So there you have it, the hypothetical schedule for England�s
footballers in this summer�s World Cup - come on Engerrrrland! |
