The Week That Was

Congratulations to England, South Africa 2010 here we come. It’s looked nailed on for ages of course, ever since the Three Lions beat Ukraine 2-1 in April there’s been little doubt, but it’ll be nice to watch the last couple of group games with everything wrapped up. Now all that’s left to do is turn up in Johannesburg on Sunday, July 11th 2010 and the World Cup is England’s. It really is that easy, and don’t let any doom and gloom realists tell you otherwise.

Anyway, stroll in the park World Cup win aside, the trip to Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine now looks trickier for the fans than players. England regulars would be advised to sign up to E-Lions (see newsletter box left) or keep an eye on Free Lions for our Fans’ Guide to Dnipropetrovsk – it’ll be up in the coming weeks.

Check out our poll too – how far can England go in South Africa? See the little box to the left? Cast your vote there.

The men’s national team weren’t the only ones with reason to celebrate this week either as England’s women progressed to their first European Championship final since 1984 after beating Holland on Sunday. Anything the boys can do, the girls can too – and that includes getting beaten by Germany in major tournaments.

They finished runners up after a 6-2 defeat but overall had a great tournament while Kelly Smith’s goal in the final was fit to grace any match. Brilliantly finished, take note Emile, that’s how you do it.

Remember last week when we reported on the demise of Farsley Celtic? Happily it’s been announced that club president John Palmer managed to pull together enough cash via a new backer to keep them going. Nice one!

A quick plug too for fans’ group Wednesdayite who have arranged a Coast-To-Coast bike ride with former star striker and England international David Hirst. They will raise funds for SWFC’s chosen charities – the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme Charity and The Children’s Hospital Charity. Feel free to donate away at this link.

FSF in the media – our international coordinator (that means he goes to a lot of England games) Kevin Miles was in the Express on Monday telling England fans to wrap up warm for South Africa 2010.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one to have leapt to the mistaken conclusion that if it’s in Africa, it must be hot,” said Kevin, whose mother had evidently forgot to pack his mittens.

“We’ve all seen the films. When did you ever see a lion shivering, or a Zulu warrior in scarf and gloves? It was a salutary lesson though – the Confederations Cup, like the World Cup next year, was in June, which is of course winter in the southern hemisphere.”

Cheers!