Have to say the Spanish coach didn't set his side up right for this one and his selection was wrong. That said Spain never really looked like scoring from open play. All credit to Zidane for the killer goal. France v Brasil will be a corker but the first half might be played at walking pace given how both teams feel their way into games.

1) Anybody non-German (and there will be a lot of T5 packages) will be screaming for Argentina so it will be 6:1 in the crowd. Not impossible if you silence them early. 2) Argentina have the players both to kill the game in midfield and terrify the Germans up front. 3) The Germans will have no answer for the Tevez/Aymar/Messi substitution (nobody has). 4) Riquelme is the player of the Tournament. An absolutely peerless midfielder. 5) If England can beat them 5-1 on their patch....

Agence France Presse reported that police said Pessotto, who was appointed to the post only last month, climbed onto the window sill of his office, holding a set of rosary beads, and jumped off, bouncing off one car and onto another. He was treated on the scene almost immediately and then taken by ambulance to the Le Molinette hospital suffering from multiple fractures. Juventus press officer Marco Girotto said from the hospital that Pessotto's life was not in danger. According to Italian news agency ANSA he had been on his own in his office at the club at the time of his fall.

Former Juventus player Gianluca Pessotto was in a serious condition after falling from a window at the club's headquarters, the Juventus press office said. Pessotto, who took up the post of Juventus's sports director at the end of last season after 11 years with the team, was taken to hospital in Turin. The defender, who made 22 appearances for Italy, was a regular starter during one of the most successful periods in Juventus's history, winning six Serie A titles and the 1996 Champions League. Italy captain and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro walked out of a news conference at the Azzurri's World Cup training camp when he heard the news of Pessotto's fall

I cannot see anything except an Argentina win against Germany... please.

Before the Tournament, everyone was tipping the Czechs. Either as the dark horses or as a FIFA top ten country, favourites in their own right. Well a fabulous performance by Ghana put paid to that who also rather efficiently sent an OK USA side packing as well. So can Ghana upset the mis-firing Brasilians? Brasil certainly are capable of taking any side apart and Big Mac Ronaldo has shown some interest in procedings but if the Ghanaians run at the Brasil backline with the relentless inventiveness they showed against the Czech Republic, I do not think the Brasil backline can hold out. Could be a very good game if the ref behaves himself.

Two of Europe's giants clashing or is it a case of Champions past v Champions Future. Until Ukraine got rid of Switzerland in a game of mind numbing boredom by all accounts, only the teams coming topof their respective groups had won. Were it not for the nasty foul mouthed comments of the Spanish coach, I'd tip this as a stroll in the park against a French side whose coaching makes SGE appear an organised genius. However, the French might be stirred for one last show of gallic flair and fervour. Maybe a few goalkeeping gaffes will liven this one up as well. Spain to win 3-2.

Sienna, Reggina and Empoli are reported to be in bother as well. More players to look at if true. Currently Serie B clubs Messina, Lecce and Arezzo are being investigated as well.

Bad luck on the aussies- I didn't watch it so tell me how it went.

Great, who is signing by Saturday?

But Beckham is our place kicker and unlike in American Football he can stay on the pitch to puke to his heart's content. Its a policy that is working- two 1-0 wins against South American opposition thanks to him. Whereas Lennon would skin his man and pass/cross into an empty box judging by Saturday's game.

Let's see if we can spin this differently then (Big Phil accepted didn't he before he got door-stepped?) Figo is cleared to play against England and Cristina should be fit to play.

I fancy Hiddink to make it 2-0 over the Italians.

Lucas Neill talking about today's game: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/w...lia/5111560.stm

There have been 4,000 arrests of fans so far of whom 375 have been English. The German authorities are beginning to sort out the Brits who go to a bar at 8.30 in the morning and drink themselves senseless. Apparently there was a thunderstorm in Stuttgart yesterday evening so that combined with the soporifically boring football played by England kept everything in check.

A pretty fair assessment in my opinion: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup200...1805955,00.html

I thought the ref had a decent game in the circumstances. Deco will be missed by the Portuguese and Christina if that thigh injury doesn't clear up. Big Phil to make it 3-0 over SGE and England to feel cheated by the door-stepping reptiles of the tabloids.

This is going to be one extremely mobile Dutch attack this evening- Robben, Van Persie and Kuyt with RvN left in the stables.

Modi and Blue Phil have short memories obviously. At least D'Urso didn't give Ferguson three yellows!

This is going to be one of the best games of the Finals. Both teams have massively entertaining players and if they rise to the occasion, it will be the classic match the Finals have not had so far. I think the Dutch defence will just about shade it for them but here's hoping for a 4-3 result!

England has to be grateful for Ukraine v Tunisia or three of our games would be the worst three games at this World Cup. Good result but the number of basic mistakes and tactical ineptitudes remains in the embarassing column. The defence had its keystone cops moments again, not only Terry but Rio nearly repeated his Ewood Park gaffe. The midfield might as well be playing in formaldehyde, thet were so rigid and lacking in creativity and whilst Rooney was magnificent, we would have murdered them with anybody playing up front next to Rooney. Maybe Neville will get fit (I'll wash my mouth out wishing that Manc back in the England side), Lampard will regain composure in front of goal and Beckham will play as well as he throws up- at least he can still take a mean free kick even if his corners were MGP. Are these over-paid lah-di-dahs going to start playing when we finally face decent opposition? The Italians did a decent job of celebrating here getting into the last 16 so the Maltese England supporters are busy showing them how it is done properly at the moment. This is one crazy island and I cannot hear myself type!

Is 4-1-4-1 the best way to play a team which is suspect in the air at the back and will come wide at speed? I don't know and neither does SGE.

Thanks T4E- Knew I should have watched Rai Uno's coverage with my glasses on!

Boro would have been the only winners if they hadn't appointed Southgate. Lucas Neill singing the praises of Hiddink: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...1298158,00.html

Watching the game yesterday evening, I was thinking that but for 150 morons in Brussels in 2000, the World Cup would probably have been played in England.