SEND FOR ONE OF THESE FREAKS

Now that's what I call a mascot.
News that Goleo, the official World Cup mascot - a German lion (hmm, I can see something wrong with that already) has already sent the toy company that bought the rights to make the toys of him bust - made WCR think that maybe it was time to send for a sub.
(For this vital news and other shit see our brother site www.englishranter.com).
Even though these are American baseball mascots, we reckon they'd do better than a fucking lion in what look like oversized golf shoes and a talking ball.
Our vote goes for the Clam in the middle - his head can be a walking talking old fashioned football.
Nominate who you think the World Cup Mascot should be and send us a link.
Thanks to the rather lovely scientist www.ldbug.blogspot.com for the tip of where to find these fearsome fellows.

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NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A MASCOT

...unlike the shitty one Goleo they chose for the World Cup this year. He's even sent the toy company bust that bought the rights to him. See English Ranter for the full story. Meanwhile, I like Clammy Sosa the best. He's the, er, clam, in the middle.
Thanks to the rather lovely www.ldbug.blogspot.com for the tip about where to find the best mascots!

BET OF THE TOURNAMENT, FRED?

No wonder he looks miserable. Arsenal's defeat to Barcelona in the European Cup Final may mean Thierry Henry leaves the gunners over the summer.
But those looking for the World Cup's top scorer could do worse than think about a bet on the Arsenal hero.
While Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are both favoured above him in the betting, it's likely both Brazillians could share the goals if they get the success expected of them.
However, the French have possibly the easiest group of all to qualify from. Henry vs defenders from South Korea, Switzerland and, er, Togo could have a field day.
If he's on fire, a place as top scorer could be secured by the end of the group stages. And he's a top priced 16-1 with BetFred - who I don't believe are connected to the Brazillian international, but they are certainly generous with the price of the French genius, who is as low as 10-1 elsewhere.
Meanwhile if you are insane, or think that Ronaldo will keep eating pies and Ronaldinho will fall down the stairs of his mansion before the tournament, you could actually have a bet on the Brazillian striker Fred. Oddly, BetFred aren't offering a price, but Bluesq.com are offering 100-1.

FAVOURITES TAKE FRED TO THE WORLD CUP...

...but he probably won't get a game. What a squad of footballing riches Brazil have, compared to the rest of us. Word has it that even tubby Ronaldo has given up the pies in readiness for the greatest sports show on earth.
17 of them have only one name - that's a sure sign of them being good, (apparently).
Only one player from the English Premiership makes the Brazil line-up, Arsenal's Gilberto Silva.

Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Olympique Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians)

Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Olympique Lyon).

1966 and all that. Bollocks we still won it.

England cheated to win the 1966 World Cup.
Or at least, this goal that never was put them 3-2 up - and they went on to beat the Germans 4-2 with another goal on the break as they attacked to get a draw.
It's finally been proven by new high definition stuff.
Still, we still won it.
New technology can do everything but put a new name on the trophy... let's hope 40 years later the same can happen again.
Even with a dodgy decision.

MORIENTES OUT OF SPAIN WORLD CUP SQUAD (CESC FABREGAS IN)

Despite an incredible International record that competes with the best strikers in the world, Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has missed out on a place in the Spanish squad.
The striker has scored 27 goals from 34 appearances for his country, but only 9 goals this season for Liverpool, and has struggled to make the starting line up for the FA Cup winners that finished third in the Premiership.
Premiership stars that do make the squad include FA Cup penalty shoot-out hero Jose Reina, Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and striker Luis Garcia, Chelsea's Asier Del Horno, as well as Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes.
Five of the squad will be starters in the Champions League Final between Arsenal and Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)
Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Asier Del Horno (Chelsea), Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis)
Midfielders: David Albelda (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
Strikers: Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Luis Garcia (Liverpool).