The key to World Cup success

There's a lot of talk about Wayne Rooney as England build up to the World Cup, but while he may be England's talisman and key weapon, Sven-Goran Eriksson has another ace up his sleeve.

The keys to England's success arrived in Baden Baden yesterday aboard a (French) airbus chartered from British Airways. But I'm not talking about Theo Walcott, nor am I referring to the impact that Peter Crouch's robot dance is certain to have on unsuspecting opponents.

Indeed, the hopes of an entire nation have been pinned on two crates. One filled with Jaffa Cakes, and the other stocked with Ribena.

Both are, of course, national treasures, and delights that I both remember fondly, and devour with relish when the opportunity arises.



Something like four million Jaffa Cakes are produced every day in Manchester, each one of them a delightful combination of orange, chocolate coating, and sponge cake. And they absolutely are cakes, and not biscuits, a contention that McVities had to justify to avoid the treats being subject to VAT back in the early 90's.

For those who are concerned about the impact of a Jaffa Cake on a footballer's closely monitored diet, fear not. A single cake contains just 46 calories, and 1g of fat. Rio Ferdinand easily burns off the pack he so fashionably consumes on-field these days.



Of course, I can't say the same about Ribena, but if it is going to be the libation of choice, then at least we all know that young Mr Walcott is going to be well looked after.