World Cup I

Summary

Host: Japan & South Korea

Sverige (Livergarden)
England (GM-Hans)
USA (GM-George) and Suomi (JWest)

First qualification round (15.03.2002)

15.03.2002:	Suomi	-	Venezuela	6 - 0
15.03.2002:	México	-	Hanguk	4 - 0
15.03.2002:	Brasil	-	Türkiye	2 - 3
15.03.2002:	Deutschland	-	Ísland	4 - 0
15.03.2002:	China	-	Rossiya	3 - 2
15.03.2002:	Scotland	-	Nippon	2 - 1
15.03.2002:	Argentina	-	Österreich	3 - 0
15.03.2002:	Norge	-	Perú	4 - 1
15.03.2002:	Italia	-	Uruguay	5 - 0
15.03.2002:	Ireland	-	Schweiz	1 - 2
15.03.2002:	Malaysia	-	Prathet Thai	2 - 4
15.03.2002:	Portugal	-	Misr	3 - 2
15.03.2002:	România	-	South Africa	1 - 2
15.03.2002:	France	-	Chile	4 - 0
15.03.2002:	Singapore	-	India	2 - 4
15.03.2002:	België	-	Polska	3 - 4

HT Announcement (15.03.2002):
World Cup premiere today and several of the favourites, such as Norway and Germany, won comfortably. Most unexpected was probably that South Africa defeated Romania after a dramatic fight. World Cup hosts Japan and South Korea are out, having lost to Scotland and Mexico respectively. 40 teams are now down to 24. Another 8 teams will have to leave next friday when the 2nd qualification round is played.

Second qualification round (22.03.2002)

22.03.2002:	México	-	Schweiz	8 - 0
22.03.2002:	Suomi	-	Prathet Thai	7 - 1
22.03.2002:	Portugal	-	Türkiye	0 - 6
22.03.2002:	Deutschland	-	South Africa	3 - 0
22.03.2002:	Scotland	-	China	1 - 2
22.03.2002:	France	-	Argentina	2 - 4
22.03.2002:	Norge	-	India	3 - 2
22.03.2002:	Italia	-	Polska	3 - 2

HT Announcement (22.03.2002):
After the last Qualification round this friday, 16 teams that are ready for group play in the World Cup are ready. Lot's of exciting and prestigoous battles coming up next Friday: Germany gets a chance to take revenge upon England for two 5-1 losses. North American prestige meet between the US and Mexico (who impressively demolished Switzerland 8 - 0!) and arch rival meet Sweden vs Norway are other matches bound to draw the crowds next friday.

Group rounds (29.03.2002 - 12.04.2002)

Group 1

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
USA	12 - 1	+11	9
México	8 - 4	+4	6
España	3 - 5	-2	1
Argentina	1 - 13	-12	1

29.03.2002: 29.03.2002: 05.04.2002: 05.04.2002: 12.04.2002: 12.04.2002:

USA - México España - Argentina USA - Argentina España - México USA - España México - Argentina

3 - 0 1 - 1 7 - 0 1 - 3 2 - 1 5 - 0

Group 2

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
England	8:1	+7	6
Oceania	6:3	+3	6
Deutschland	6:8	-2	6
China	8:12	-4	0

29.03.2002: 29.03.2002: 05.04.2002: 05.04.2002: 12.04.2002: 12.04.2002:

England - Deutschland Oceania - China England - China Oceania - Deutschland England - Oceania Deutschland - China

4 - 0 4 - 1 4 - 0 1 - 2 0 - 1 4 - 3

Group 3

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
Sverige	16:1	+15	9
Canada	6:6	0	6
Norge	4:9	-5	3
Türkiye	1:11	-10	0

29.03.2002: 29.03.2002: 05.04.2002: 05.04.2002: 12.04.2002: 12.04.2002:

Sverige - Norge Canada - Türkiye Sverige - Türkiye Canada - Norge Sverige - Canada Norge - Türkiye

7 - 1 4 - 1 5 - 0 2 - 1 4 - 0 2 - 0

Group 4

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
Suomi	12:6	+6	9
Nederland	8:10	-2	4
Italia	8:8	0	3
Danmark	7:11	-4	1

29.03.2002: 29.03.2002: 05.04.2002: 05.04.2002: 12.04.2002: 12.04.2002:

Nederland - Suomi Danmark - Italia Danmark - Suomi Nederland - Italia Suomi - Italia Nederland - Danmark

0 - 5 2 - 2 3 - 4 3 - 3 3 - 3 5 - 2

HT Announcement (13.04.2002):
The final rounds in the WC begins next friday. Sweden, Canada, The US and surprise team Finland were already qualified. England, having won its group just before Oceania has been assigned to a rather North American group in the endgame: USA, England, Mexico and Canada will fight for two places in the semifinals. In the other group, Sweden will fight neighbouring Finland along with Oceania and Holland - who managed to recover from the walk over debacle a few weeks ago.

Final rounds (19.04.2002 - 28.04.2002)

Group A

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
England	13:3	+10	9
USA	8:7	+1	3
México	4:7	-3	3
Canada	4:12	-8	3

19.04.2002: 19.04.2002: 22.04.2002: 22.04.2002: 24.04.2002: 24.04.2002:

England - Canada USA - México England - México USA - Canada USA - England México - Canada

6 - 0 1 - 2 3 - 1 5 - 1 2 - 4 1 - 3

(Hatstats: 208 - 156) (Hatstats: 207 - 206) (Hatstats: 206 - 181) (Hatstats: 219 - 160) (Hatstats: 262 - 246) (Hatstats: 199 - 162)

Group B

Team	Goals	Diff.	Points
Sverige	18:1	+17	9
Suomi	8:10	-2	4
Nederland	4:13	-9	3
Oceania	5:11	-6	1

19.04.2002: 19.04.2002: 22.04.2002: 22.04.2002: 24.04.2002: 24.04.2002:

Sverige - Oceania Suomi - Nederland Suomi - Oceania Sverige - Nederland Oceania - Nederland Sverige - Suomi

6 - 1 5 - 2 3 - 3 7 - 0 1 - 2 5 - 0

(Hatstats: 270 - 161) (Hatstats: 183 - 181) (Hatstats: 191 - 176) (Hatstats: 287 - 179) (Hatstats: 175 - 180) (Hatstats: 295 - 154)

Semi finals

26.04.2002: 26.04.2002:

England - Suomi Sverige - USA

2 - 0 4 - 0

(Hatstats: 225 - 171) (Hatstats: 380 - 224)

Final

28.04.2002:

Sverige - England

4 - 1

(Hatstats: 397 - 202)

HT Announcement (28.04.2002):
The swedish national team rose to extreme expectations as they defeated England 4-1 in the World Cup final. England played a great second half, but little did that matter as the Swedes already had hammered home a 4-0 lead. While Sweden rejoices, a lot of credit goes out to the rest of the national teams that have improved A LOT over the last season and will continue to do so! Come next World Cup, the final standings may look a lot different. Let the preparations begin!