World Cup. Day 10, Matches 27, 28 & 29.

Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Brasil 3-1 Cote d'Ivoire

Are you bored yet? Some strange performances and even stranger refs, but of course this is the World Cup and that is why we love it. The BBC Bus seems to end up in even more wierd places and Adeboyor is still rambling on when no-one can understand him. England have gone backwards and the written and tv press are persistant in their efforts to destroy the hopes of their own Country. If you would have asked me before the competition kicked off, I would have said that there was no chance of us winning the World Cup. There are far too many teams better than England, and the odds would be stacked against us in beating 1, let alone 3 or 4 of them. We have to be more realistic and as good as it might be for TV makers and brewers, anyone who thought otherwise has to be deluded. It is true that England can beat anyone on their day, but to have 4 of those days in 2 weeks is impossible and will not happen.
In 1990 we drew our first 2 games and won the 3rd with a goal scored by a defender.
In 1994 we sat on a beach and watched everyone else suffer
In 1998 we lost to Romania and needed a win in the final group game. We got it.
In 2002 We were undone by the draw and played Brazil earlier than we would have liked.
In 2006 We were not anywhere near our best and only plodded through an "easy" group. It always happens to England, we are a Nation living on 1966. I very much doubt we would have won that World Cup if it was anywhere else in the world apart from England. Roll on Wednesday and Slovenia. Is it just me or does anyone else want to see a flag bearer knock the ball of that silly little podium at the entrance to the tunnel?