Not blatanly as crap as Poll was, but the referee in last nights Holland v Portugal game was a nightmare!!

Did he actually break the record for the most number of cards dished out in a World Cup game? if not, he came bloody close to it.

Equalled record with the 16 yellows, but broke a new record with the 4 reds.

Always tend to find that the group stages are ordinary, with any excitement coming from the underdgogs holding their own or even beating the big guns, the occasional class goal. Things really start to take off and improve when the knock out stages start, well hope so anyway.

Good game I thought, and held off the Czechs. Although them going down to 10 men would've helped. Italy vs Australia it looks like for the next round. Glad we won the group and miss playing Brazil in the next round (unless Japan tonk them later tonight!)

Looks to be a good start on paper for us.

Apologies to the US fans on here, but, Ghana to win

I have that usb arial - it is bloody good actually, for the price. Works better than my comps dedicated tv card.

If you look around though you can get one with a remote for not much extra.

Also, the piddly arial it comes with is naff, so only get one if you actually intend to use your big arial.

Been tempted with those things. Seen some of them on bigpockets.co.uk for around £30.

Reid on staying with Rovers

From his Icons site:

I'm delighted to announce that I have signed a new four year contract with Blackburn Rovers. I'm on holiday in Dubai at the moment, so the signing went through after a series of faxes, but now that it's all done and dusted I am really happy and looking forward to the rest of my break!

There was speculation linking me with a possible move but it was always my preferred option and intention to stay at Blackburn. I love it up here and have just had the best season of my career so it would have been both risky and difficult to leave and start again elsewhere. I had a good chat with my girlfriend and we both decided that we liked it here.

Last season, was the happiest I've ever been since I became a professional. I enjoyed the best year of my career and also the team itself proved that we can challenge for trophies and for European places too. The club is going places. The fact that I am highly thought of too helped make me decide that there was no real reason for me to leave.

Mark Hughes recently signed a long term contract, and that is another reason why I was happy to commit myself. The gaffer and his backroom staff are different class and I really enjoy working with them. I have a lot of belief that they will help the team build on last season's success and take us even further forward over the next couple of years.

It took me a while to settle at Blackburn, but I finally feel at home now and it's been reflected in my play. I hope and expect the good times to get even better from now on! I couldn't be happier at signing this contract with Blackburn.

All prospective new Rovers signings take note!

England may have the players, but I don't think they'll win it, purely because of Sven. Tactically, he doesn't seem to have a Plan B, or at least a plan that doesn't revolve around Rooney. With Rooney playing, England's performance will improve but I still think it's Quarters at best.

If Iran can survive an early onslaught from Portugal and if last the 90 mins without tiring out, I think they could hold on to a draw. Not that impressed with Portugal although Figo did look to have an extra spring in his step (unlike Zidane did against the Swiss)

Czechs to win, and win comfortably.

Mexico win

If Totti plays, then I think Italy will win as, like Keely Hazell, they are looking very impressive up front

After getting knocked back by the Czechs its a bit unfortunate that they play Italy next, especially as Italy have been unbeaten in 15+ games.

Impressed with the BBC web casts too. Whether its the radio or video, top quality stuff to while away the hours and keep up to date with things when at work

I'll go for a Ukraine win, with Spain in typical World Cup form

I'll take that back. Spain seemed to have finally found some kind of good form, wonder how long it'll last?!

Just get rid of Ian Wright (and Mark Lawrenson whilst they're at it) and that'll improve the BBC coverage no end

As soon as England get knocked out in the quarters (as per usual) all the hype will quieten down

Germans seemed pretty good up front but a bit dodgy in defense in the first game, whereas Poland couldn't break down Ecuador in their first game.

As they've got the home field advantage, going for a Germany win.

France to win

At least you can complain about Ian Wright or anything else about the BBC coverage here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldcup/2006/0..._questio_1.html

I'll go for a Ukraine win, with Spain in typical World Cup form

Good start for the Italians, for a change, notorious for their slow starts. Toni looked very dangerous upfront, not surprising when he's scored 30+ goals in serie a, and before he came off, Totti looked good as well. I think the Italians will cruise past the USA if both teams play to current form, and the crunch game, Italy vs Czech Republic could be a classic.

In summary - Lawro is a godsend to the world of punditry by comparison to Wright.

That's maybe going a bit too far but I see your point about "Wrighty".

Did like it when Lineker said at the end "no point in asking Ian Wright about the next day's games as he doesn't care". If he has that viewpoint then what on earth is he doing being a "pundit" on games other than England's. Can't stand the guy, the guy is knob. The commentating teams aren't exactly that good either. At least BBC give you the red button option of the standard TV, Radio 5L and stadium sound. Sometimes really tempted with just to have the stadium sound on.

As long as Hughes sits down with him after the World Cup and gets him to explain his comments and confirm his commitment to Rovers. Otherwise I'm sure he'll be shown the door at Rovers. If he is, then hopefully a stellar performance in Germany will mean a decent amount in the coffers for an adequate or better replacement.

A European ban would be a start, instead of faffing about with playing behind closed doors, like Inter had this season. If it was an English team, well, I'm sure you could guess the result.

Err i'd read it again, Rangers are in round 1 and Gretna in Q2, they are seeded so have a fair chance of going through, so we could get them in round 1.

Must've changed it

Some good teams in that list. Funny to see Gretna qualifying for the UEFA 1st rnd with Ranger into the Q2 rnd though