I backed the Argentinian’s to win the World Cup. But, their out on penalties and to be honest, I’m not too upset that neither of my picks can bring me a personal victory.

1-1 after full and extra-time, and Germany won on penalties after their goalkeeper made two terrific saves. They’ve been great hosts and really friendly, it’s surprised me. They deserved to be where they are, they held their nerves. They say a party is always a good one as long as the host is happy and Germany are through to the semi-finals to play either Italy (Probably) or the Ukraine.

If it’s Germany-Italy, I really, really hope Germany go through to the final because I’ve been really impressed with them, whilst Italy have, largely, got through to this stage on pure luck.

My new-found distain for the Argentina side really came from today’s game. They got this far after playing some absolutely amazing and breathtaking football - but they seemed only intent on cheating to get any further. Diving, rolling around and fouling, I was glad when Germany equalised and then won the shoot-out. I feel a bit ’sold down the river’ by Argentina if I’m honest.

Sore losers such as they are, they started a mass brawl at the end and really marred what were great scenes between the German team, coaching staff and their fans. It was a full-out fight, fists flying and everything and it was all instigated by the men in blue.

What a disgrace.

That’s how it seems anyway, now they’ve packed Graham up and sent him home! >> [Read]

The World Cup has all gone a bit flat really, hasn’t it? The Quarters start tonight mind you so that could provide a bit of interest though, with ‘Italy V Ukraine’, perhaps not. Though, again, Germany - who seem to be a world better than they were at the start of the tournament - face Agrentina which I think is fantastic.

I’ve been impressed with how the Germans have performed but you’ll remember that Argentina were one of my two favorites to win it all. Spain were the other, but they got knocked out by the bloody French! Very unlucky that was, too. They did one of those ‘turn up for less than ten minutes at the end and win the game’ things that we’re so famed for. No surprise then that Sven says we can ‘do a France’ in turn by shrugging off a slow start to go on and win the thing in style.

Doesn’t he realise the French have only won it once, too?

Anyway, we may actually have a chance in our Quarter now given that Portugal aren’t at full strength. Figo is on a yellow, Ronaldo is expected to miss it with an injury and Deco & AN other are suspended. Come on, England. Hobble on to the Semis.

Lack of Bloggy… The probable cause? STRIKE - Because of the inept ‘performance’ from my nation at the weekend.

Thankfully, It’s ‘Put Up, or Fuck Off’ this weekend. The Portugese won’t stand for any of our crap!

Some quotes…

La Forge: You mean I’m just a blind ghost with clothes?
Ro: I don’t know. I’ve never been dead before.

German BearShooter: The bear has been shot. It is now dead.

Sven: Well-a… I think it was a very good performance…

…Funny stuff, here.

BBC > Chris Moyles

Bloody good, I say. England’s crippling deficiencies are highlighted to an almost completely embarrassing end.

We drew 2-2 with Sweden and won the group, so it’s a pity that nobody will really remember this game with any great conviction and again it’s a case of the end result and outcome being able to overshadow SHOCKING performances.

The Swedish lot performed well, and, in my opinion probably deserved to win the match. It comes to something when Owen sodding Hargreaves is a contender for Man of the Match, doesn’t it?

We couldn’t defend a single set-piece all night. The only reason we’re pulling out results is because we’re lucky. Very lucky. Against Paraguay we only got through because of an own goal and did sod all else. We turned up for eight minutes against T&T and managed tow in that.

Gerard’s goal five minutes from the end was just a moment of luck; we scored from our only meaningful attack of the entire half. It’s only fair that Sweden almost straight away went down the other end and scored. We really we’re that poor. Sweden hit the bar twice and had two efforts cleared off the line.

And Sweden are NOWHERE NEAR a scratch on the surface of what we’ll be up against if we make it past Ecuador and face Argentina or Holland.

“You can’t ask for much better than a last-16 tie with Equador.”, I hope that prickish ITV 1 commentator pays for that.

He also says it’s falling into place for England and that we’re contenders to win it, and that it’s been a wonderful World Cup for us so far. WHAT?

Final thought for the night comes from the Live Text of the game from Football365:

“Eriksson’s side may well avoid Germany in the second round but they will have to do a lot better than this to progress much further this summer.”

What’s this? A chink in the nationwide patriotic blindness?