It was inside the stadium and the amount of grey hairs I have has increased too. Also can someone explain to me why I can't support a team that wins games easily? Don't know what the hell Kalac was doing out there, but at least this will tell Guus to leave him on the bench. BTW, some quotes from clueless Aussie supporters; Guy behind me, in the 80th minute: "Is that Mark Schwarzer out there?" Overhead the day after the Croatia game at the Camp Ground where I'm staying: "I don't know why people are getting so excited, we only got a draw." BTW, some pictures from our trip can be found here, including a dodgy shot of myself at 3am after shots of Shnapps and Jagamiester. - http://blogs.smh.com.au/worldcup/archives/...convoy_tak.html

Say a little pray for me as I try to get decently priced tickets to this game.

Yep, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, we're even in the newspaper too - http://www.smh.com.au/news/aussie-update/r...9964414786.html

I offically hate you now I was in sitting in a pub in K-Town for the game as the €200 price that touts (all with dodgy East London accents) were offering for tickets was way too steep for me. Australia did dominate the game but were very wasteful with their passes especially Wilkshire who should never play in the first team again. The Japan goal was the worst decision of the cup so far and how any ref or assistant ref couldn't see that beggars believe. Also, shame that the real football fans were outside the stadium while tennis/union/Aussie Rules fans were in the ground sitting on their arses and chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi"

Heard the same here, some mates went up to Dortmund for the T&T v Sweden game and besides being patted down by police/security when they went into the fan zone or ground, no one checked the names on tickets.

Me too, I'm here in Ohrnberg with my Portugese jersey hoping to see a good game. Got to agree with Oklahoma that the result will 2-1 to us, and I also predict that there will be a controversal decision in this game.

Well, in 16 hours and 30 minutes I and 15 other friends will be winging it to Germany. So Central Europe look out. So look for me, I'll be the one in green 'n gold Also if you look here - http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/worldcup06/ in a couple of days you'll see a blog by some Australian fans who I'm travelling with.

Can someone tell Viduka not to take any more penalties?

I'm available for autographs and will be releasing a DVD called; "Sydney Rovers: His 15 minutes of fame".

I wish I was going down there but I'm already eating into next year's annual leave with my trip to Germany

As of yesterday I have a ticket to the Australia v Croatia game and it only cost me $AUS 580 (£250)

BTW, here's a story about Aussie fans making the trip to Germany - http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-cup-2006/...ge#contentSwap1

Usually it is, but during the Uruguay games Mark Viduka was captain and I don't think that Guus will change this as it seemed to lift Viduka's game. It is as a result will set up up the teams for thier crucial games against Croatia.

Here's the squad. Goalkeepers: Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England) Defenders: Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast Mariners), Stan Lazaridis (uncontracted), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Craig Moore (Newcastle United, England), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England) Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Josip Skoko (Stoke City, England), Mile Sterjovski (FC Basel, Switzerland), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol, England) Forwards: John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Josh Kennedy (Dynamo Dresden, Germany), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England). Some surprises there especially Mark Milligan who's probably only there becuase Tony Vidmar had to pull out of the squad.

I'm landing in Frankfurt on the 8th and meeting up 20 other mates on 4 different flights. We're then jumping into some rental cars and heading in a convoy for the Socceroos' training camp in Öhringen. Then we're following the Australian team around Germany (Kaiserslautern 12th, Munich 18th, Stuttgart 22nd), and what ever Australian games after that. After Australia are knocked out of the tournament we'll be heading east towards the Czech Republic and then finally meet in Berlin for the final. Seeing as there's some Rovers fans at some of Australia games maybe we should meet up there? Forgot to mention that I'm doing this trip without having any tickets or accommodation organised.

Actually Oki, my dream Portuguese draw would be Nacional because if that happens I'll be on the first plane from Australia to Funchal.

Damn, myself and Aussie_Rover missed out

I'm waiting on the next FIFA ballot where I've asked for Australian group tickets, Portugal v Iran tickets and Finals' tickets. Hopefully I'll get something out of ballot and at least get to see a game in a stadium.

[Political rant mode]The Liberal Party doing a 180 on an issue, that's never happened before *cough GST* Also interesting to see that the reason for implementing card in Australia and the UK are very similar.

What's surprising is that the photo hasn't been updated in that time Any idea when you have to renew your licence and get a new photo?

It is, might be chance to see the game here in Australia.

Australia v Japan stay away SteB, I want that tickets As for me, Aussie Rovers and myself have applied through the ballot for tickets to all the Australian groups matches, Portugal v Iran and the final. Considering I missed out on tickets through the Football Federation of Australia's crappy ticketing system, I'm hoping to at least get one ticket to any of these games. Anyway if I miss out on tickets I'll be there with 20 other mates in some square in some German town drinking wheat beer and having a good time.

I hope you're right as I'll be here in German soaking up the atmosphere outside the ground after the FFA stuffed up the allocating the tickets.

Do you know when this game is on?

Group F Brazil Croatia Japan Australia They haven't made it easy for Australia have they?