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England's chances? Well - on paper at least they're a semi-final side. But the important decisions always seem to go against us in the big matches (perfectly good goals disallowed, iffy free kicks leading to oppostion goals etc.), plus down the years England teams have never been much good at killing a game off when it really matters. So I predict more penalty shootout heartbreak I'm afraid, followed by endless post-mortems and days of "what if"-ing in the media.

Would love to be proved wrong though.

Just as long as the Germans don't win it! I've never forgiven them for Mexico 1970, the first World Cup I can actually remember: Gordon Banks nobbled pre-match and replaced by Bonetti ... Alf Ramsey taking Bobby Charlton off to save him for the semi-final ... then throwing away a 2 goal lead and losing in extra time .... it was all too much for a fervently patriotic 7 year-old to take! I may live in their beautiful country, but when it comes to footy they're still the "Beastly Boche"!

I fear though that Germany will do their usual trick of muddling through to the final on the back of penalty shootouts (usually at our expense!) and scraped 1-0 wins over minnows. Especially with home advantage. And that's despite the fact that they're a decidedly average side.

Brazil of course you can never write off. But although they're undoubtedly a good side, I do think that they benefit from the "fear factor", with some of their opponents resigned to defeat even before they kick off - just because it's Brazil. No Brazil side has ever come close to being as good as the magical team they had in 1970, and Sven's right they are beatable.

Looks like being an interesting 4 weeks though, whatever happens. Roll on the weekend!

Just participated in a WC tipping competition, and I had England to lose out to Germany in the second round, and Germany losing in the quarters to the eventual winners Holland.

You've heard it here first!

Having said that, my WC prediction record is patchy: four years ago I had tipped France as the golden boot team and then they managed not a single goal between them...

So you're an England fan then Marty? !wink!

I think England -on paper- have the second best team in the world, with Brazil having the best. There are teams that play better football than us though and they keep possession for longer. IE: Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Portugal, and Spain. Fortunately I think the Germans keep the grass on their pitches short & wet, like pitches in the premiership. This will suit the English play better than anywhere else in the world where pitches are usually drier and have longer grass which slows down the play.

So I think England are in the top 4 in this tournement, with Brazil & Argentina above us, and Holland on a par with us.

Looking at how the tournement might pan out, England could get Germany in the second round, Argentina, Holland, Portugal or Mexico in the quarter finals, and Brazil in the semi's! The only good thing is that if we can get through that lot we're certs for winning the final! lol!

Working it out I'd say there's a good chance of an 'Argentina v Brazil final'.

I think we have an outside chance, but with a few unfit players not sure if we have enough depth or plan b's

i've a sneaking suspicion about Italy, South American teams don't generally do well in Europe

right off to pack the car for the trip now, looking forward to it as I think it will be my last chance to see one cos I be pushing 50 next time comes to Europe I reckon !shocked!

big cheers to Eric for the info - we'll def check out the cake place !drink!
don't worry bout directions, we'll find it by following our stomachs

I think this year's winner will be a nation that hasn't won it before............. the Czech Republic could be dark horses. Outlandish call, I know.

If the winner isn't going to subscribe to that criterion, well, despite recent poor form, why not Italy?: hard to beat (NOBODY will beat them 2-0, and if they do go out, it will be usual script of extra time or botched penalties), and two strikers doing well in their domestic league where it is notoriously difficult to score. France are also right up there despite their presence being muffled by Brazil/ Argentina/ England hype.

Brazil? Obvious choice, but a leaky, attack-minded defence could haemorrage goals. Two genius strikers, though- but with going into the biggest footballing melting pot on the planet, we don't know if Ronaldo's fitness will hold out, likewise for Adriano's temperament.

The Argies: gifted, fleet-footed, tons of flair and hard as f*ck- but Riquelme and Messi are their shaky lynchpins. Riquelme, though sublime, hasn't responded well to the big stage as yet- he was ditched by Barca nad was poor against Arsenal in the CL SF lately- and Messi has been painted by the tainted, oft-used Argentinian 'the next Maradona' brush, which may be too much for the young lad, allied to recent injury woes.

England- as a Scot, hope not! Despite players who would easily walk into this generation's world XI (Gerrard, Rooney, Terry) their striking options could hamper them. Sure Crouch could have the tournament of his life, Walcott could be the ?60m man after the finals- but it's all up in the air. If there are no sure-fire means of goals, not only will Argentina and Brazil win, but France, Italy, Spain and the Czechs will fancy their chances against England. You'll beat the Dutch.

Who cares? As a neutral (!wink!), I just want to be entertained.......

...........and Christ, I think I will get my wish. Come on Sweden, give me one last dance my dear Henrik.............