By Ollie Irish

The best pics of England going through the motions ahead of Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley:

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England's Joe Hart (left) and Steven Gerrard during the training session at London Colney, London.

By Ollie Irish

Photo: Umbro (click to enlarge)

(Top row: Joe Hart, Adam Johnson, Eric Dier, Jade Bailey, Saido Berahino, Thomas Cruise; Bottom row: Jack Wilshere, Fern Whelan, Wayne Rooney, Connor Wickham, Theo Walcott)

Here's a first view of England's new Umbro home kit.

Well this is unexpected.

Peter Saville, who you might know as the man who designed the sleeves to some of Factory Records most iconic sleeves has been working on a new England shirt, which the team will run out in against Bulgaria on Friday.
Now some of you may remember last March when we sat looking quizzical at the hype and ridiculousness that surrounded the unvieling of that kit fake leaked kits, super secrecy, a big reveal on the pitch, so its kind of surprising that this kit has been a) announced really quite soon after the last one and b) they've told us what it is instead of making the players wear trackie tops and the unveil them at the last minute.

Steven Gerrard today demanded more of the same after England got their bid to qualify for Euro 2012 off to the perfect start.
Liverpool's captain was a key figure in England's 4-0 dispatching of Bulgaria at Wembley last night, playing with great elegance and control as Fabio Capello's men seized control of Group G.

So England's Euro 2012 Campaign kicks off on Friday against a (thankfully Berbatov less) Bulgaria, and the main thing is...well the squad is decimated. Lampard and Terry had already announced they couldn't take part (although some may have breathed a sigh of relief there), Bobby Zamora is out just as he was beginning to look like a genuine first choice option, Phil Jagielka has sat out of training, and Peter Crouch has gone home not being able to play after picking up a rib injury against West Ham.

So England's Euro 2012 Campaign kicks off on Friday against a (thankfully Berbatov less) Bulgaria, and the main thing is...well the squad is decimated. Lampard and Terry had already announced they couldn't take part (although some may have breathed a sigh of relief there), Bobby Zamora is out just as he was beginning to look like a genuine first choice option, Phil Jagielka has sat out of training, and Peter Crouch has gone home not being able to play after picking up a rib injury against West Ham.

The Three Lions resume meaningful international competition this Friday v Bulgaria at Wembley stadium as weary and untrusting eyes focus on equal parts Fabio Capello's management and various members of the new look England squad. Bulgaria is the opponent and three points towards Euro 2012 qualification is the goal.

So another day passes of the interlull,isn't it too soon for life to be this dull?England are playing against the mighty Bulgaria,but that doesn't make me feel any less wearier.The Sun continues to report the so called news,but they're mainly concerned with who's being screwed by whose.Young Jack Wilshere is the subject of their latest concocted tale,but at least he wasn't climbing trees like

By Ollie Irish

Routinely included on 'Ugliest Footballers' lists, Trifon 'The Wolfman' Ivanov also played ugly. If Trifon didn't intimidate opponents with his wild looks and intense stare, he would simply hack them down.

It would be harsh on Ivanov to remember him only as a hatchet man he possessed a fine pair of shooting boots too, and could play a bit, as 77 caps for Bulgaria attest, not to mention this fine strike against Wales:

So, foot like a traction engine and, er, a face like a traction engine too.

European Championship Qualifying

Armenia v Rep of Ireland, B, 16:00
Kazakhstan v Turkey, A, 17:00
Andorra v Russia, B, 17:30
Moldova v Finland, E, 17:30
Faroe Islands v Serbia, C, 18:00
Montenegro v Wales, G, 18:30
Latvia v Croatia, F, 19:00
Romania v Albania, D, 19:00
Sweden v Hungary, E, 19:00
Lithuania v Scotland, GI, 19:15
Luxembourg v Bosnia-Hercegovina, D, 19:15
Estonia v Italy, C, 19:30
Slovakia v FYR Macedonia, B, 19:30
Belgium v Germany, A, 19:45
Greece v Georgia, F, 19:45
Liechtenstein v Spain, GI, 19:45
San Marino v Netherlands, E, 19:45
Slovenia v Northern Ireland, C, 19:45
England v Bulgaria, G, 20:00
France v Belarus, D, 20:00
Iceland v Norway, H, 20:00
Portugal v Cyprus, H, 20:45

In their first competitive game since the World Cup, England easily defeated Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley tonight, with an excellent hat-trick from Spurs' Jermaine Defoe. Jermaine Defoe great hat-trick for England tonight England played as well as they did in the World Cup Qualifiers, when they won nine of their 10 qualifying game, and they [.

In an exiting round of Euro 2012 qualifying games, the shock of the evening's games was France's 1-0 home loss to Belarus in Group D.
The most exciting match was Portugal's 4-4 draw with Cyprus in Guimaraes, where the visitors came back to gain a last-gasp point.
The big teams, with the exception of France, all had comfortable wins: world champions Spain cruised to a 4-0 win in Liechtenstein, the Netherlands won 5-0 away in San Marino, England defeated Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley behind a Jermaine Defoe hat-trick, and Italy came from behind to beat Estonia 1-2.

Watch match highlights of England's 4-0 victory against Bulgaria featuring a hat-trick for Jermain Defoe and the first international goal for Adam Johnson.

It was a convincing win for England, but let's hope England doesn't get too overconfident from this one victory when they face a tough Switzerland team on Tuesday.

With the pressure on Fabio Capello, England finally delivered a performance to make the country proud. But was this result and the performance the start of a change in fortunes for Capello or another result that get's our hopes up only to be disappointed down the line?

England may have gone some way to igniting some confidence amongst fans last night.

Wayne Rooney assisted three of England's goal against Bulgaria in the Euro 2012 Qualifiers and gave a brilliant pass for the first goal as well. Roo was fantastic. Here are all the assists:

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By Ollie Irish

We've rated the England players, and now we present the best pics from Wembley, starring Joe Hart, Jermain Defoe, Adam Johnson and a typically vexed Capello...

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Joe Hart, England's keeper, warms up with a dive

Photos: PA

A very impressive display by England, but let's not go overboard after Defoe's early first goal, Bulgaria offered little.

The English FA and Umbro have officially launched the England 2011/13 home kit to be used for the Three Lions' Euro 2012 qualification campaign, Euro 2012 Finals run (should the team qualify) and 2014 FIFA World Cup UEFA zone qualifiers through 2013. The new England home kit will be used for the first time against Bulgaria [.

As England get set to play Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday a large section of the UK media will be sharpening its knives ready to plunge them into Fabio Capello. There is a sizeable majority of the media who would be only too pleased to see England lose to Bulgaria as it would ensure his immediate dismissal and the installation of a more media-friendly English manager called Harry.

This week on the Gadsbys England Round-Up, Gadsby previews the beginning of another qualification campaign as England prepare to face Bulgaria and Switzerland. The road to Euro 2012 begins, but is England's journey likely to be any less bumpy? CSRN MEDIA PLAYER

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After a hectic start to the Premier League season attentions now turn to England who face two crucial games in five days that will set a trend for Fabio Capello's next two years in charge of England.

Before the World Cup Fabio Capello could do no wrong. He was seen as the saviour of English football for turning around our fortunes after the disaster that was Steve McClaren's tenure.

Euro 2012 qualifying on Fox Soccer Channel: England - Bulgaria at 3pm ET.

By Oliver Sparrow, writing from London

England go into their first Euro 2012 qualification game against Bulgaria at Wembley tomorrow night with a very different squad to that of the World Cup in South Africa.

David James and Ledley King have both been left out by Capello.

By Oliver Sparrow, writing from London

England go into their first Euro 2012 qualification game against Bulgaria at Wembley tomorrow night with a very different squad to that of the World Cup in South Africa.

David James and Ledley King have both been left out by Capello.

Ireland vs. Armenia: Preview
France vs. Belarus: Preview
England vs. Bulgaria: Preview
Same Old England
Belgium vs. Germany: Preview

Euro 2012 qualifying is underway and now we cross our fingers and hope none of our Premier League assets come back injured... England play Bulgaria in a few hours and here is my predicted England Starting XI: Ibracadabra's predicted ... Continue reading →

England are yet to have their post World Cup watershed moment France have installed a new coach (albeit an appointment that was arranged during the tournament) and held crisis talks, Brazil too have a new manager, Italy have done the same and even brought back Antonio Cassano. England have changed little.

ESPN3.com is the home for soccer fans this weekend, as many of the European Championship qualification matches will be shown on the platform. FSC is carrying the England-Bulgaria game right now, so tune in if you support the Brits or like to see them lose. Follow the latest scores from your computer here, and enjoy your holiday weekend!

With a plethora of European Championship qualifiers being played today, with the likes of England, Germany and Italy in action, we should get a good sense of where some world powers stand some two months after the World Cup.

England faces Bulgaria today, while Germany takes on Belgium in a tough test.

With a plethora of European Championship qualifiers being played today, with the likes of England, Germany and Italy in action, we should get a good sense of where some world powers stand some two months after the World Cup.

England faces Bulgaria today (3pm, Fox Soccer Channel), while Germany takes on Belgium (2:45pm, ESPN3.

Jermain Defoe (7 Oct 1982) plays striker for the England national team and Tottenham Hotspur.

During England's UEFA EURO 2012 Group G Qualifying match against Bulgaria at Wembley Stadium this afternoon in London, England, Defoe racked up a hat-trick.

England went on to top Bulgaria by a final score of 4-0, showing signs of what the national squad is truly capable of accomplishing.

England beat Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley with Gerrard and Johnson prominent, Dafoe scored a hat-trick to ensure a comfortable win.
Spain are beating lowly Liechtenstien 4-0 with our man Fernando Torres getting two, well done Nando.
Holland beat San Marino 5-0 with Dirk Kuyt scoring from the penalty spot.

(Summary is not available.)

At half time in England's opening European qualifier of the summer against Bulgaria, the title to this article read "old habits die hard". What a difference 45 minutes can make. The pre-match feeling was one of nerves, anxiety, apprehension. All the better then that Jermain Defoe's opener should come so early in the game, just [.

In the wake of England's 4-0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley last night, Jermaine Defoe has been grabbing the headlines following a well taken hat-trick. However, while the Tottenham striker deserves to be applauded for what was an impressive display, the man who was at the heart of England's attacking play was Wayne Rooney.

Bad news for Tottenham fans. Michael Dawson will miss the next six to eight weeks with ligament damage in his knee and ankle on international duty.

Following an awkward turn early in the second half of the 4-0 England win over Bulgaria, Dawson was stretchered off the pitch.

A statement on Tottenham's website read: "Scans today (Saturday) have revealed that Michael Dawson has sprained his left medial knee ligament and one of his left ankle ligaments.

Empty seats were visible last night at the start of England's UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier with Bulgaria, not because of some ongoing protest against the Three Lions after the shambles in South Africa. It wasn't because a seat at Wembley costs a bomb these days. You couldn't even attribute the pockets of red plastic to the corporate spectators, still waiting in line for their pre-match prawn sandwich.

Empty seats were visible last night at the start of England's UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier with Bulgaria, not because of some ongoing protest against the Three Lions after the shambles in South Africa. It wasn't because a seat at Wembley costs a bomb these days. You couldn't even attribute the pockets of red plastic to the corporate spectators, still waiting in line for their pre-match prawn sandwich.

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Each week on languagecaster's podcast we feature a main listening report and on this week's show we ask a couple of football fans what they think of the 'new look' Fabio Capello's England team.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Complete List Here

Each week on languagecaster's podcast we feature a main listening report and on this week's show we ask a couple of football fans what they think of the 'new look' Fabio Capello's England team.

Ah England games. Convenient when we're in a run of bad form, annoying when we're playing brilliantly. Either way, you can assume that someone somewhere will always have something to shout off about when it comes to international breaks and they generally revolve around player injuries. Never thought it would happen to us.