(Reuters) - "Two days after burying the Queen Mother, England went into a new bout of mourning over another of its obsessions: soccer.

Grown men came close to tears in pubs across the land after an injury to Manchester United's David Beckham threatened to rule the national side's talismanic leader out of the World Cup.

Beckham's agonised face and the "horror tackle" that caused it were plastered across newspapers. The best-selling Sun called it "the moment the dream died".

"Our worst nightmare," declared the Mirror tabloid after the midfielder hobbled off the pitch in United's Champions League victory over Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday.

Even Prime Minister Tony Blair was being kept abreast of the situation. "Nothing is more important to England's preparations for the World Cup than the state of David Beckham's foot," an official spokesman said."

London Times Article

Guardian Article (with additional links)

This is interesting to watch from this side of the pond. Just look at these hysterical headlines:
"Eriksson keeps calm in crisis"
"A nation holds its breath"
accompanied by x-rays and MRIs of "His Left Foot."

The PM made a statement; as did the Tories; the Liberal Dems declined -- their leader is a Scot after all!

I'm curious if an injury to any player from any sport here in the USA would ever cause such a national crisis. Doubtful.

Well, not only does Beckham's injury probably mean that England gets bounced from the Group stage in the World Cup, it also means that Manchester United are doubtful to win the Premiereship and advance much further in Europe.

Yeah, the reaction in England is a little over-the-top but I've been to England 5 times and, since religion is looked upon like a family would look upon a totally eccentric aunt--she's tolerated and condescended to and sort of avoided at family get togethers--it's familiar to me that football is the country's religion. It's all tied in to national self-esteem. When England beat Germany 5-1 earlier this year, it was another case of saying "Pbbbbt!! We beat you in two World Wars and we'll continue to beat you in football, you filthy Huns!". It's really just a matter of degrees--when Michael Jordan came back from his (snicker) misguided attempt to play baseball, he was treated like an conquering Emperor.

The Toronto Raptors have survived the loss of Vince Carter.

The New England Patriots won the Superbowl without a superstar.

Maybe there's hope for Manchester United and Ole Enlgand yet.

The aura of the Beckham's seems closer to the Kennedy's than to sports stars here. The brouhaha over his injury reflects that as much as fear for the future of English soccer.

Also the I think the Brits are a bit sensitive about no longer dominating a game they invented.

I really feel sorry for Beckham. I thought he would make a big impact at the World Cup and show all the critics and England fans from the last one that he really is an outstanding player. I think England will really miss him and only a healthy Kieron Dyer could even come close to replacing him.
On the other hand, this may let Sweden advance.
Go Sverige!!! (England's record against Sweden is dismal). Watch for Llungberg (Arsenal) and Larsson (Celtic) to get the Swedes to the Semis.