England: Bend It Like Uri

England have called up a secret weapon on the eve of their grudge match against Argentina – spoonbender Uri Geller.

As England fans gather outside the Sapporo Dome stadium in Japan and the squad make their final preparations, Uri will be firing off positive vibes over the airwaves.

‘Invisible energies’

He hopes the signals will wing their way across the Middle East and Asia to inspire the squad before kick-off on Friday.

At the last World Cup in France in 1998, David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone and England were beaten in a penalty shoot-out.

But Uri hopes his “invisible energies” will help restore England’s luck, and give them the advantage they need against much-fancied Argentina.

Meanwhile, the Argentinians are vowing to cheat their way past England a THIRD time. After Maradona’s 1986 Hand of God goal and Simeone’s play-acting, they say they are ready to trick the ref again if necessary.

‘Imbeciles’

Argentina’s £35m striker Hernan Crespo poured fuel on the fire by branding England’s players “imbeciles”. And Maradona claims England are “quaking in their boots” at the thought of taking on their old foe.

The bad blood between the two countries stems from an infamous match at Wembley during the 1966 World Cup.

England won that encounter despite being kicked black and blue.

But the Argentinians got a double dose of World Cup and Falklands revenge through Maradona’s Hand of God goal and the nerve-racking penalty shoot-out victory at France 98.

Last Updated: 12:37 UK, Thursday June 06, 2002