^^^lol. As much as I want the African representatives to win against Brazil, it is going to be very hard for them. The suspension of Essien will be a key factor but I will still be behind them.

then we have England Vs Portugal = Portugal through to Semi-finals Nuune I tend to disagree Sxb! England has a better chance of coming on top after that game. Remember Euro 2004, Rui Costa's Goal was classic but I dont see that happening again. The 3 Lions are not performing well at the moment, but I still believe they can win that match. I also want Germany to beat Argentina. Mexico deserved to win. Brazil are not convincing enough. Lets see how it goes... Cmon Ghana....

^^Sxb Angola also disappointed me, they could have won that match. Their attacking skills were below average but I still rate their defensive skills and their goalkeeper was outstanding; he made great saves that kept them in the tie. What amazed me is the way both Referees rushed to their cards everytime players from Ivory Coast and Angola made mistakes while they spared there opponents. Zakora and Drogba's yellow cards were undeserved. The red card that also led to the Angolan midfield diehard sent off was also very harsh in football standards. Do you lot believe that Mexico are rated 4th in the FIFA world ranking? Very funny in deed.

^^^I feel your pain Sxb. The Referee's performace was poor. The elephants are full of talented players and I hope it has been a great experience for them. I am demoralised as all along I thought the Ivorians had a chance against the Dutch. Lets see if Angola will be the next African team to be sent home. I am glad I sold my ticket for this game on ebay otherwise it would have been an awful and ghastly experience. It is a gigantic statement but I think Fifa, the football governing body, don't want an African team to win the world cup.

If Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal had qualified instead of Angola, Togo and Tunisia we would have a different WC. Ivory Coast and Ghana are in very difficult groups, even teams like Brazil, France and England would have difficulty qualifying [to the next round] if they were in this situation. Would Brazil beat Argentina and Holland to qualify? Would England beat Italy and the Czech Republic? I couldn't have said it any better. Thats so true.

Dude...the Germans really had me off my seat. Dang!! That was a crazy game. Very entertaining game! The Polish keeper was superb, no wonder they dropped Dudek. Germany deserved the win.

Northerner, Nuune and the rest, you seem so disappointed with Ghana. I think they can beat USA but as Czech Republic, dont hold your breath. It appeared like the whole team depended on Essien and Appiah. Did you see that fat substitute aka ping pong? He was crap, the guy couldn't even control the ball and they expected him to change the game. He is huge, does not look like a striker. The African Elephants aka The Ivorians have a chance if only they get a win against Holland. Angola surprised me, one nil down to Portugal was a good result for them. Togo were disgrace! We still have hope though, Tunisia will pray tommorrow against the Saudis. I think Tunisia can make it but fingers crossed.

Notherner and Viking Salaam. I only watch Tennis when there is no football games to be watched. The world cup is on and therefore Tennis is not in my schedules. By the way is Federer still dominating the Tennis world?

Waterlily, Lets just hope and pray that Brazil wont win it. I'd rather see Argentina win it than Brazil. Hizb, Shaun Wright-Philip was not a regular for Chelsea and has dropped his world class form since signing for Chelsea from Manchester City and therefore, I think Sven was right on that one. As for Defoe, I think Sven should have picked him. He is an outstanding player with all the qualities of a striker. He has pace, power, skills and is good with the ball but I think the reason he was dropped was that Sven thinks they can reach the semis and therefore he gambled on Wayne Rooney as he believes he would be fit and can take them all the way. Peter Crouch is proving many critics wrong and I think he deserves his place and as for Michael Owen, his status in the England setup is big! England has quality players but their tactics is questionable. Yesterday’s performance against Paraguay was low class and there next game against the Soca Warriors does look promising considering Dwight Yorke’s team (10 players) performance against Sweden. Nuune, brother do you still think Sweden will win the world cup?

^^What a thrilling game!

Ivory Coast vs Argentina game was so far a thrilling game to watch. The Elaphants proved many critics wrong and the only diffrence between them and the South Americans was experience. I think they have a good chance of qualifying to the next round if they beat Holland and Serbia, which is possible considering yesterday's performance. Lets see how the other African teams perform. Can't wait for Friday's game.

I will never, ever, ever support England again if they don't win this year. You are destined to be disappointed.

My season is over, I just hope my team can fight the relegation battle and stay in the league. Every team watch out, the drama will be unfolded next season Inshallah.

Thank God, I got my ticket delivered today. Would travel to Stuttgurt to watch Ivory Coast Vs Holland on Friday 16th. I am expecting an spectacular encounter and will be rooting for the Elaphants.

It's coming home It's coming home It's coming Football's coming home It's coming home It's coming home It's coming Football's coming home.....

Zaki Thanx for the update. Lol@Northener...No comment Sxb.

Robert Pires ends a successful six-year spell at Arsenal by agreeing a two-year contract with Spanish side Villarreal. Arsenal sign highly-rated Czech international midfielder Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. Chelsea announce their first signing of the summer with German captain Michael Ballack on a three-year contract. Midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who impressed during his first season in the Premiership, moves from Wigan to Fulham for £2.5m. Tottenham are closing in on a £10.9m deal to sign Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov from Bayer Leverkusen. After spending the 2005/06 season on the bench Tim Howard joins Everton on a season-long loan deal from Man Utd. ^^^^(Source bbc) AC Milan are the favourites to sign out-of-favour Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (News of the World) Patrick Vieira is unhappy at Juventus and wants a return to Arsenal. (Sunday People) Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is prepared to turn his back on the club if either Barcelona or Real Madrid declare an interest. (Sunday Mirror) Man Utd will offer £18m for Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra. (Sunday Mirror) Barcelona want Villareal striker Diego Forlan, but are only prepared to pay £7m, well below his current club's valuation. (Daily Star on Sunday) AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko will join Chelsea, but William Gallas will not be moving in the opposite direction. (Daily Star on Sunday)

What a good comparison, Zidane and Ronaldinho. Their exceptional talents was exciting to watch. Thanks Northerner.

We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions We are the Champions

Mashallah, I knew this since day one. The main reason he moved to Turkey was to educate himself islamically. I prayed next to him at Brixton Mosque in 2003. That time he was with Boxer, Williams who is Brixton regular. Van Persie of Arsenal is also a mulsim. He is married to a Morrocan sister who converted him to Islam. Kanoute (Former Spurs and West ham player) is also muslim. Kolo Troure of Arsenal is also a mulsim. Mashallah there are lots of muslims in the premier league.

^^^ Sxb, Nuune, I tend to disagree with that! The best team lost! Even a blind person can tell that. Ball possession of 67% to 33%, now please tell me who was the better team? I agree that the Special one made a mistake with his tactics in the first half and he has realised his mistake and made couple of changes in the second half. After the changes, Chelsea dominated and were class; just unlucky not to score. The ref also made crucial mistakes such as giving out the free kick that made Liverpool score. Terry committed himself and that tackle was fine. Please tell me the difference between that tackle Terry made and the one Peter Crouch made on Cuducini? Same I guess! It will be very harsh to say that the best team won but nevertheless, Liverpool's rotten tactics seems to have worked. Lastly, I agree with Magic Mourinho when he said that the Premier League cup is in a higher level than the FA Cup. That was a great consolation for me.

^^^Thats right! A huge game, we need the double and hopefully we shall prevail.

^^^Welcome aboard to SOL. Best advice, stay away from 187, he has uncurable disease of hating on non-Arsenal fans. My team has been disappointing this season! Five games with two points is unacceptable! Period. I need to sack some players. But I am glad the favourites Liverpool and former champions, The Lions are in same boat as me. Peace

ViBe & rokko Aussie, yes that is the name I was looking for! Does that ring any bells? If not read between the lines once again.

One point to win the cup....Cant wait for that moment already!! We deserved it! Back to back winning, same story will happen next season, Inshallah! A Class act!! Drogba is exceptional!! Team player in deed. Did you the kiss he blew to the fan, CLASSIC!!