World of Chig   

20.6.02

Guess the year


A Beatle marries a blonde model.
The UK has a Labour government.
The World Cup holders are knocked out in the first round.
Man United finish third in the top division, and Man City are promoted to it.
It's the Chinese year of the horse.
There are three West Ham players in the England squad.
The England captain is a modest man from Essex.
The England manager is a quiet man who stays on the bench during matches.
The World Cup final is on the 30th.
A coloured ball is used in the final.
England beat Germany in Germany in the run-up to the finals.
France finish last in their group, with just one point and a player called Djorkaeff.
England beat Argentina 1-0.
England qualify for the second round after conceding only one goal.
Germany qualify for the second round with two wins and one draw, including a big win in their first game.

As if I need to point out where this is heading....and remember that if we meet Germany, it will be in the final....

...and, controversially, in both 1966 and 2002, the UK is preparing to change its currency...

In addition, the World Cup started in 1930. It took 36 years for England to win it. It's now another 36 years since 1966...

...and finally, numerologists will know that both years have the numerological number 4. Let me explain: 1+9+6+6 = 22. 2+2 = 4. And 2+0+0+2 = 4.

Nostradamus? No, these came from Radio 5 Live listeners this morning (with some help, I believe from the Daily Mirror). I'm not saying expectations are high for tomorrow, but as night falls in Japan and South Korea, at 13.00 here, I'm feeling nervous. And we haven't even decided where to watch the game yet. Lots of us are gathering at the pub tonight, and decisions will be made then. I have a feeling a few of us will opt for an early night....

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