They're playing in Ukraine, so why are England staying in Poland?
By Brian Reade
Published 20:58 09/12/11
Is it stupidity, stubbornness or false economics stopping England admitting they've made a cock-up with next summer's hotel arrangements, then changing them?
All three group games will be played in Ukraine, yet England choose to stay in the Polish city of Krakow.
The 540-mile trip to Kiev to play Sweden is bad enough, but they twice have to travel to Donetsk, which is 930 miles away. That is the equivalent of playing your games in the San Siro in Milan, and basing yourselves in the new FA centre of excellence in Burton-on-Trent, Stafforshire (actually Burton-Milan is 14 miles closer)
Sweden booked camps in both countries but have now dropped the Polish one. France are looking for a suitable base in Donetsk.
So what possible reason could there be for England refusing to move into the country they are playing their games in, especially when the facilities in Krakow look far from palatial (i.e. a bit of a dump).
I can only think of one: An ready-made early exit excuse.
Travel sickness is the new bad manager/bored players/missed penalties/metatarsal/long season/bent referee.
**
Ladbrokes are offering 1/8 for Lionel Messi to win the Balon D'Or. I'm no Robert Peston but why are Angela Merkel and Robert Sarkozy spending a lifetime wondering how to sort our Europe's debt crisis, when a quick ten trillion punt on this absolute cert would solve it overnight.
**
Bulgaria's 52-year-old, 14-stone Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, who plays for amateur third division side Vitosha Bistritsa, has been voted the country's footballer of the year, ahead of Dimitar Berbatov.
It is a vote of protest against the state of the national side apparently. Which may be fair enough. But come on, what about national pride here? Fancy letting the rest of the world know that Berbatov is the second best player in your country. I feel for you.
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