Poor old Spain. After their fans roundly booed the French anthem, I was almost rooting for them to prevail over France last night. However, I don't like Luis Aragones. I think he is an arrogant racist so I was quite pleased that France beat them. Well, no, hang on a minute, actually no I wasn't that pleased because I also think Thierry Henry is an arrogant cheat.
Let's just hope Brazil beat France on Saturday.
On Friday, I saw the massive Rooney crucifixion poster on the westbound M4 in Brentford near the GSK offices.
I think the Nike creative is an interesting use of religious imagery. Deliberately provocative but much better than the unimaginative, banal media advertising we normally see in the UK although my wife was heard to mutter 'Ugly man, ugly face, ugly poster'.
England qualifying for the last 16 in the World Cup after those two very mediocre displays.
Full length version (3 mins) of the Carlsberg advert featuring some older England players with some nice touches.
For the most part, unsung and largely unnoticed at Chelsea. Simply outstanding for Ghana against high quality opposition (Italy) yesterday. Continually in the action, absolutely everywhere, superb fitness levels, great tackler, decent passer, suspect temperament.
Essien is the tailor-made replacement for Roy Keane. United fans can only hope Ballack's arrival puts Essien on the bench or in the reserves and that he won't just sit there and take the money (cf. SWP).
A superb photograph of Englands (own) goal in the World Cup opener versus Paraguay.
I don't think I could have a higher opinion of any footballer than I already had of the Irishman, but he rose even further in my estimation at the Stadio Delle Alpi. The minute he was booked and out of the final he seemed to redouble his efforts to get the team there. It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player.'
Alex Ferguson on Roy Keane after the European Cup semi-final in 1999.
[Via United Rant]
Another in this occasional but very popular series:
I am doing this in the best interests of Rooney, the England team and 40 million England fans' - Sven Goran Eriksson
...and Alex Ferguson and Manchester United fans can just cross their fingers and hope.
Still, I am looking forward to this TV program tonight.
Watching World Cup Goals Galore on BBC3 which also has a fantastic music soundtrack. Some great goals and memories.
Although I get thoroughly sick of the media hype and the endless analysis, you can't help but get excited about the World Cup now.
It looks like Rooney may yet be named in the squad. It doesn't look like Carrick will play the 'holding role' but Carragher might. Let's just hope he can produce a forward pass and that he doesn't keel over with cramp in extra time.
Full fixture list, localised TV Schedules, print out and keep wallchart, pictures of the stadiums, group tables, X-rays of Wayne Rooneys metatarsal and all of this in an Excel spreadsheet.
For a man who can't even spell Pivot Table, this is a truly staggering achievement. Or maybe there isn't much to do of an evening in New Zealand.
Graham Paramore, the worldwide football community salutes you.