Jaggernaut

Andy Murray is becoming an increasingly impressive Tim Henman tribute act.

I thought it was worth resurrecting this thread after Germany's superb demolition of Argentina. They are terrific on the break, much like the best of the Man Utd teams of 10-15 years ago. They really seem to play for each other too. My German friend reckons it's because there are no "superstars", mostly youngsters, with none of them having to play 2nd fiddle to the likes of Ballack. I'm sure McCall has taken on board a lot of ideas from this World Cup, and that we can eagerly anticipate some fantastic moves next season.

Very well done to all concerned, I think. Not all that sure about their ability to be a "big player" in the transfer market, though. What resources do they have? None, I guess, and their crowds are typically around 600.

A good line will always give you a good buzz.

Sounds like the 5-year plan is now a 10-year plan.

Anybody here remember the McGill Five?

At the start of the season I thought he was going to be a great player for us. But he wisnae. Would have liked to see him succeed. But he didnae.

Good post, which I agree entirely with. The other night I watched Brazil vs. Portugal in an international bar in Japan. There were people from all over the world, just watching the match, and the Japanese people appreciating both teams whenever they did something good (not the greatest match, it must be said). But only some Engerlish idiots thought it was necessary to scream "Engerlund, Engerlund" at the top of their voices throughout the game, even though they weren't playing. No other team's supporters felt it necessary to do this. "Boring! Boring" was another chant at the lack of goals, but did they chant that for their own team's inept performances? You can guess the answer. GIRFUT.

Illusionist Darren Brown has given up his latest stunt of spending 14 days in a box doing nothing. He has just been outdone by Wayne Rooney!

They must be in a state of shock. They are the best players in the world, aren't they? I mean their league is the best in the world, isn't it? Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, they would all walk into a World XI, wouldn't they? Well, it's No, No, and No. Their absolute self-obsession and delusional belief that they are the best, the chosen ones who have been temporarily denied what is rightfully theirs (for 44 years) have never been so exposed. But in this tragic realisation, there is some levity: http://i.imgur.com/Yd4xq.png

I've been enjoying this World Cup, away from all the "Engerlund expects" hype. Now I'm enjoying it even more.

What an incredible tennis match (duration, not quality). The two guys have made history. "Will never be repeated" gets used too often in sport, but in this case I reckon it's true.

I'm enjoying this World Cup! Delighted for Japan (as I'm currently residing there), and think they'll have a decent crack at it against Paraguay. There have been some superb goals. Can hardly wait for Portugal-Brazil tonight.

Thanks for the information.

I agree. In fact I'd say that, more than anything, spoils football as a spectactle. You only need to take a look at the sets of photos of the matches that we enjoy after the games to see how much of it goes on without getting punished. I've stated before, and I mean it seriously, that it's such a problem that all players except goalies should have to wear thick mittens.

abebooks is brilliant.

I can think of one adult situation, but I won't elaborate.

Bloody good 'keeper. Would love to see him play for Thistle. Shame he couldn't quite keep the ball under control for Greece's winner last night, but it was an unlucky break rather than an error. France:

I'm actually loving the buzz about the place. The FIFA decided that the WC would take place in Africa, and that's how they watch football in that part of the world. Accept it, and stop moaning. Few people seem to express concerns about teams and fans from other continents coming to Europe and having to put up with abusive behaviour and chanting, hooliganism etc. here. Just because we're used to the latter, it doesn't mean that that's the atmosphere in whioh football should be watched.

I keep reading "Venezuelans" and "vulvas".

Cairney was excellent at the start of last season (as was pretty much the entire team). If he can find that form again, that'll do nicely.

No, it's his cousin, Zoster.

The Blue-nose Brazil!

There was an interesting article in the Herald the other day that explained the animosity by many non-English UK folk to England; it's due to their blind self-obsession, their feeling that somehow the competition is all about them. When players get interviewed, it's about how they're feeling, how's their accommodation, what do they want to say to the folks back home etc. Any question about other teams gets met with a robotic "we'll focus on our own performance" type of response, as if they don't even have any knowledge or interest whatsoever in ABE. Well, I'm now interested to see if they'll get beyond the first stage, which I sincerely hope they don't.

That's what I'm reminded of too. A gigantic swarm of bees.