Highlights of the World Cup updates on Spirit FM with Richard Newman and Kevin King..

Extra previews on Holland vs. Denmark, Cameroon vs. Japan and Italy vs. Paraguay…

And an update from David Beckham in South Africa?!…

Presented by Richard Newman and featuring Alex Jordan.

Listen to the podcast here

Think back to the World Cup in 2006, and Italy, unfavoured, lift the trophy. Once again there is little talk of the Italian chances, and the same goes for France.

Coach Raymond Domenech, short of charisma, of amiability, and (according to many) of any tactical nous, takes his France side into the World Cup tonight when they play Uruguay in Group A. Domenech is short of fans, and is the principle reason why the French are not particularly optimistic about their chances. Laurent Blanc has already been confirmed as his replacement after the World Cup. Blanc is a footballing legend in France, and is a popular choice after success with Bordeaux.

The very public display of absolutely no confidence from the French Football Federation undermines Domenech more than anything else could, but he won’t care. In fact, it will spur him on. Domenech has never had a good relationship with the press, which is one of the reasons he was turned on so quickly. Just think the absolute opposite of Steve McClaren, and that is the French manager. Domenech is still a proud Frenchman, and will be determined to administer revenge on his doubters, by going far in South Africa.

If you look at the players, how can we be writing France off? This is a team that has one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Hugo Lloris. They have a left-back who is only rivalled on the world stage by Ashley Cole. William Gallas will be lead the back line. The attacking talent on display is incredible, Franck Ribery will pull the strings with Yoann Gourcuff, supplying Nicholas Anelka and Andre-Pierre Gignac. Thierry Henry can’t even get in the first team and will be the impact sub from the bench. Do England have any strikers of that quality to come off the bench to score goals?

France, with all their talent, will need to work hard to pull together to distinguish all the doubt surrounding their chances. The problem is that Group A is so hard to call. Any one of those teams could go through, France on paper have the highest profile squad, Uruguay are well organised and tough to break down, Mexico showed against England how much they’ve got a dangerously quick attack, and then there’s South Africa. Not a bad team, not a great team either though. If this World Cup was not being held in South Africa, there would be virtually no chance of them getting through. But as a host nation, as we saw with South Korea in 2002, they could get through the group.

Uruguay are going to provide tough opposition for France this evening, sitting on the fence, it’s a tough one to call. Come the end of the evening, we’ll have a better idea about how much the French fancy it. If they pull off a win against Uruguay, and get through the group stages, the French could go all the way.

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Today two things are for certain, the BBC will play an absurdly overblown opening sequence (heavily featuring Nelson Mandela) and the 2010 World Cup South Africa will begin. The coveted trophy is once again up for grabs, 28 teams are in place and FIFA has made sure any indigent South Africans are safely swept under the rug to make sure nothing approaching reality spoils the tournament.

The pre-packaged nature of this World Cup and other major sporting events is something I do not enjoy. I revel in the extraordinary, and I’m hoping for something on the scale of Zinadine Zidane’s 2006 head-butt for this tournament. For me, football is all about great moments, both positive and negative. Upsets and injuries will define my tournament as much as great goals and fantastic players. The best possible outcome for me is Joe Hart scoring the winning goal in the final by using his arse to deflect the ball into the net. With teams like North Korea in the mix, my hopes for absurdity have been given a major boost.

This is my first World Cup I will watch from my new home in Canada, a country decidedly lukewarm about the start of the Greatest Show on Earth. I can’t blame the Canadians for their lack of enthusiasm – to say their team under-performs is quite an understatement. Canada finished plum last in their World Cup qualification group, picking up just two points. In the world rankings they are 63rd, behind Macedonia. Just to cap off a tired point, Canada is currently sandwiched in 5th place in the North American rankings, between the mighty nations of Costa Rica and El Salvador.

As a human male, born in England, I have been conditioned by years of disappointment to spout depreciatory remarks about my home country’s sporting fortunes in the hopes it will somehow boost the player’s chances of victory. I haven’t heard one mention of the national team since I’ve been here, giving me a telling clue to the football mentality in Canada.

Here the World Cup is less about Canada and more about heritage. Some Canadians are looking up the family tree for a team to support in South Africa. In cities with diverse populations like Toronto and Vancouver, every country at the tournament will be represented. This seems quite fitting – this is the ‘World’ Cup after-all.

My father-in-law has adopted England as his team for the tournament, and quite rightly so. Since returning from a military posting in Buckinghamshire a couple of years ago he has proudly worn an English rugby jersey with some regularity. He thinks it’s a football shirt, but I’m not going to tell him otherwise. We will both be watching England face the USA on the 12th June, both of us willing our neighbours to defeat.

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Wayne Rooney…Scored a great goal, on the volley from a James Milner cross. It’s been some time since Rooney scored for England, so to go into the World Cup having broken that hoodoo is only good for England. However, Rooney’s commitment and enthusiasm can sometimes be a negative. On his introduction at half-time, Rooney was taking involved in crunching tackles, full throttle attacks, and most worryingly, getting himself so worked up he was booked for dissent. If his temperament was tested in such a low-key game, are there still doubts over his discipline going into the World Cup? We hope not.

The Goalkeeper race…Did this game reveal anything about who Fabio Capello would like to start with in goal? Joe Hart begun the match, and was untested. He was though, constantly berated by Capello for either wasting possession, or wasting time. Possibly slightly harsh. Robert Green replaced Hart in the second half and again, was untested. It seems there are concerns about David James’ fitness, and either Capello wanted more from Hart who he had planned to start with, and was therefore disappointed, or he knows exactly what to expect from Green, as he does with James. Still, we have no idea!

Defence…Was never thoroughly tested, but the starting back four of Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King and Ashley Cole is likely to start against the USA. They were largely untested, and although there are some worries over King’s fitness, there was nothing to concern Capello, and it was a good run out for King. Michael Dawson and Stephen Warnock were fine enough in the England defence, though Warnock was perhaps fortunate to not give away a penalty. Matthew Upson and Jamie Carragher completed the back four, and Carragher looked authoritative.

Joe Cole…was the only England player to play the whole game. With Joe Cole’s limited 90-minute game time with Chelsea this season, was this Capello getting Cole up to full match fitness? It seems to look like Capello may be looking to start him on the left of midfield against the USA, with Gerrard and Lampard in the centre, and then Aaron Lennon looking likely to take the position on right side of midfield.

Rooney’s forward partner…Emile Heskey’s bright performance in the low-key warm up match against the Platinum Stars showed just what the Aston Villa front man can bring to international football. He demonstrated just how much he can contribute to the side and how he brings out the best in Rooney. There are calls for Peter Crouch to play; he gets the goals. What about Jermain Defoe? The classic ‘poacher’. He got on the score sheet in the friendly against the Platinum Stars, but had a quiet game aside from that.

Just five days away now until England kick off their campaign against the USA, still lots of work to do, but England can take a lot from this game, certainly justifying the match and showing it was a valuable exercise.

Full World Cup coverage from Spirit Sport, on air on Spirit FM on Kevin King at Breakfast from Friday at 7.30am, through Twitter throughout the tournament, and regular blog entries on this website.

England have come through a final warm up game against the Platinum Stars unscathed, and beaten their South African league opponents 3-0 with goals from Jemaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney. It was a mixed performance from England, sometimes unconvincing, that won’t do anything to worry their main World Cup rivals, or indeed the USA.

Both halves in the game seemed to differ. In the first half, the performance from England was very cavalier. A strong side started the game, and England got off to a flier, with Jemaine Defoe slotting home after 3 minutes after being set up by Steven Gerrard. After that, it really was treated as just a kick around, England lacked rhythm, the passing was sloppy, the build up play slightly slack. Indeed, England were lucky to go into half time in front, after an innocuous challenge by Glen Johnson gave the Stars a penalty. It was a very harsh decision by the referee, but there was justice when Bradley Grobler’s spot kick went yards over the bar.

In the second half, England found that rhythm they were lacking. The passing was more slick, they created more chances, and found creativity through Wayne Rooney, James Milner and Joe Cole, and an injection of pace through Aaron Lennon. Heskey missed several chances, but showed presence, and England strolled home with goals from Joe Cole, and a well taken volley from Wayne Rooney.

A good run out for England, but certainly some talking points.

The match…Firstly, in terms of the performance, it’s difficult to scrutinise it too much. This was what should have been a ‘behind closed doors’ friendly, which turned into a glorified practise match in front of a 12,000 vuvuzela blowing fans. It was good for England to play in front of the spectators and raise the intensity up a notch.

Wayne Rooney…Scored a great goal, on the volley from a James Milner cross. It’s been some time since Rooney scored for England, so to go into the World Cup having broken that hoodoo is only good for England. However, Rooney’s commitment and enthusiasm can sometimes be a negative. On his introduction at half-time, Rooney was taking involved in crunching tackles, full throttle attacks, and most worryingly, getting himself so worked up he was booked for dissent. If his temperament was tested in such a low-key game, are there still doubts over his discipline going into the World Cup? We hope not.

The Goalkeeper race…Did this game reveal anything about who Fabio Capello would like to start with in goal? Joe Hart begun the match, and was untested. He was though, constantly berated by Capello for either wasting possession, or wasting time. Possibly slightly harsh. Robert Green replaced Hart in the second half and again, was untested. It seems there are concerns about David James’ fitness, and either Capello wanted more from Hart who he had planned to start with, and was therefore disappointed, or he knows exactly what to expect from Green, as he does with James. Still, we have no idea!

Defence…Was never thoroughly tested, but the starting back four of Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King and Ashley Cole is likely to start against the USA. They were largely untested, and although there are some worries over King’s fitness, there was nothing to concern Capello, and it was a good run out for King. Michael Dawson and Stephen Warnock were fine enough in the England defence, though Warnock was perhaps fortunate to not give away a penalty. Matthew Upson and Jamie Carragher completed the back four, and Carragher looked authoritative.

Joe Cole…was the only England player to play the whole game. With Joe Cole’s limited 90-minute game time with Chelsea this season, was this Capello getting Cole up to full match fitness? It seems to look like Capello may be looking to start him on the left of midfield against the USA, with Gerrard and Lampard in the centre, and then Aaron Lennon looking likely to take the position on right side of midfield.

Rooney’s forward partner…Emile Heskey’s bright performance in the low-key warm up match against the Platinum Stars showed just what the Aston Villa front man can bring to international football. He demonstrated just how much he can contribute to the side and how he brings out the best in Rooney. There are calls for Peter Crouch to play; he gets the goals. What about Jermain Defoe? The classic ‘poacher’. He got on the score sheet in the friendly against the Platinum Stars, but had a quiet game aside from that.

Just five days away now until England kick off their campaign against the USA, still lots of work to do, but England can take a lot from this game, certainly justifying the match and showing it was a valuable exercise.

Full World Cup coverage from Spirit Sport, on air on Spirit FM on Kevin King at Breakfast from Friday at 7.30am, through Twitter throughout the tournament, and regular blog entries on this website.

England have won the ICC World Twenty20 in Barbados, with a resounding seven-wicket win against old enemy Australia this evening. Paul Collingwood’s men showed passion, pride, resilience and belief to win their first ever ICC limited overs title, and have shown Rooney and co how to do it in South Africa this summer.

England entered the tournament in the Carribean as Dark Horses, with the likes of Australia, West Indies, India, Sri Lanka and reigning champions Pakistan all favoured against this young England side. There’s a great blend of confidence and belief in the players. Arguably, these two combined created the pride to pull on the England shirt and the passion to bring back England’s first trophy.

Paul Collingwood hit the winning runs, and he deserved it. The Durham man showed great leadership skills in this Twenty20, going some way to banish the memories of 2008 when Collingwood was suspended from limited overs cricket and replaced as England captain for completing overs outside of the time limit, and drawing criticism of gamesmanship. Collingwood and coach Andy Flower have helped the young members of the side settle in, and inspired confidence in them to not be overawed by the occasion.

22-year-old Craig Kieswetter formed an encouraging opening partnership with older but new England batsman Michael Lumb. Kieswetter’s 63 in the final was remarkably composed given the occasion. Eoin Morgan was fantastic with the bat, Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan paid great supporting roles, as did Michael Yardy. Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann were prominent in the attack. Then there was Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen has been struggling to find form for some time coming into the tournament ever since his injury in last summer’s Ashes. There were glimpses of his best form in the IPL, but he saved his best for the World Twenty2o. Consistently good scores, three 50′s, and a solid 47 in the final, showed a new father inspired. Pietersen had to fly home for the birth of his first child, and on his return all it seemed to show was a fire to perform even better. Perhaps putting cricket and life into perspective, Pietersen relaxed into his role for England.

Bragging rights are England’s over Australia, having reclaimed the Ashes last summer, they’ve now dented Australian pride even further by taking the title over their long time rivals. Australia play England in a One Day Series this summer, and rest assured they’ll be looking for revenge. Come the Ashes this winter, the Aussies will be out to prove a point.

England’s footballers will now attempt to take the same attitude the cricket side have shown to win the World Cup in South Africa. Fabio Capello has got his side playing good football, egos have been knocked down, and finally they look like a team. At the same time, both the cricket and football sides look to have finally gelled as teams, working with each other for the same goal, rather than individuals leading the way. Sure, Wayne Rooney and Kevin Pietersen are important players, but they both see themselves as members of a team, not THE team.

It serves as a good omen, England will fly to their training camp in Austria this week to prepare for the big event in South Africa and they’ll take heart from their cricketing counterpart’s success. How can England’s footballers match this triumph? Knocking out old rivals Germany on their way to World Cup Glory…

To listen to the latest Spirit Sport podcast with Portsmouth legend Alan Knight and Slovenian journalist Tine Zupan, click here

Ahead of the FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Chelsea this weekend, legendary Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight previews the chances of his former team, and reflects on their season.

Slovenian journalist Tine Zupan introduces us to Slovenia, who will be in England’s World Cup group, as we begin our World Cup build up.

And a runner from West Sussex who has battled a rare blood disease is running in an incredible 100 mile challenge, we get the details on the extraordinary fund raising effort with the man himself, Gareth Sanders.

Presented by Richard Newman and James Dall.

Click here to listen.

Bournemouth’s chairman Eddie Mitchell talks to us about his club’s incredible season, which has culminated in promotion to League One…

British Handball’s Performance Director Lorraine Brown introduces us to what’s soon to be your new favourite Olympic sport…

And Rich and James discuss the big stories in the run up to the last weekend of the Premier League season.

Presented by Richard Newman and James Dall.

Listen to the new podcast here

Bournemouth’s chairman Eddie Mitchell talks to us about his club’s incredible season, which has culminated in promotion to League One…

British Handball’s Performance Director Lorraine Brown introduces us to what’s soon to be your new favourite Olympic sport…

And Rich and James discuss the big stories in the run up to the last weekend of the Premier League season.

Presented by Richard Newman and James Dall.

Listen to the interviews on the new podcast here