Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace there ‘s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry! England and Saint George!’

– Henry V, Act 3; Scene 1

While I am sad that my backup team Italy is out it is still comforting that England (albeit a fairly laxidasical England) is still in the fight and is conveniently led by Italian coach Fabio Capello. So in some way I feel as though both of my favorites are still represented.

Nevertheless it is clear that England is struggling and could use some motivation. I would humbly suggest Capello force his team to watch Kenneth Branagh’s unrivaled masterpiece movie – Henry V based upon the eponymously named Shakespeare play.

I have never witnessed a more moving and motivating speech then Henry’s to the beleagured English on the French battlefield of Agincourt on St. Crispin’s Day on October 25th of 1415 (William Wallace in Braveheart notwithstanding). Imagine the scene – England is in the field with 6,000 soldiers 1/2 of whom were English long bowmen (and therefore a testimony to the power of artillery in my mind) standing against a French army of more than 36,000.

By the end of the battle after the great speech of Henry the English went on to an astounding victory. There were 112 English dead compared to nearly 10,000 French.

While I am not suggesting England’s situation in the world cup is nearly so desperate it is certainly not hopeful and perhaps a history lesson is in order. It certainly could not hurt with the highly disciplined and talented Germany looming ahead. Perhaps a dash of Winston Churchill could help as well:

"…we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…"

– Winston Churchill, June 4, 1940

Good luck England.