FRANCE 98 – G. Hoddle: “There has never been an England team better prepared for a World Cup”

G. Hoddle: “There has never been an England team better prepared for a World Cup”

14.06.98 19h51 CET

Comments from La Baule (Loire Atlantique)

– How can you assess the team after the friendly matches and the training in preparation for the World Cup?

“ENGLAND will be ready for its debut in the World Cup on Monday. It’s fair to say that I believe there has never been an ENGLAND team better prepared for a World Cup. It was successful for us last year. After the disappointment for everyone in England of not being in the U.S. in 1994, we are thrilled to be part of FRANCE 98”.

– How do you feel about your team and what are your ambitions?

“Every one of our 22 players has a role to play. I believe they are relaxed and confident about the task in front of us all. There is nothing bigger in a life of a footballer than playing in the World Cup finals. We believe we are in one of the strongest and toughest groups of all. After all, three of the four teams are in the top 12 of the FIFA rankings. Anyway, there are no easy games in international football anymore. We believe that any one of 6 and 7 teams could win the World Cup. We’re one of them. There’s no question it will be a very tight tournament and the dividing line between success and failure will be very thin”.

– What do you think of France and the French Organising Committee (CFO)?

“One of the happiest times of my playing career was in France. I like France and the French a great deal. We’re very happy at our base in La Baule. Our welcome here has been very warm, as we knew it would be. We feel very at home here. It’s a great privilege to be taking part in a World Cup in France. ENGLAND has been very happy to work with the CFO in the preparations for this tournament. We believe the tournament will be a success and good for football around the world”.