Chun Soo-Lee for South Korea (v Togo), 13 June 2006

Next round of predictions are here.

Well, a slightly less entertaining day yesterday, overall. First up, we had debutants Togo, entering the tournament in disarray with the coach resigning and then returning and several of the squad having never met before. Yet, for 45 minutes they put up a decent show before some dodgy goalkeeping surrendered their lead and they went down 2-1 to 2002 semi-finalists South Korea.

This match did give us the entertaining revelation from Gordon Strachan (as detailed on the excellently entertaining Finals Fantasy blog) that he tried to sign Emmanuel Adebayor whilst at Southampton, but Rupert Lowe "didn't like his attitude". This was fresh from the previous days revelation that he tried to sign Tomas Rosicky but he was too much money. Tomorrow we'll no doubt discover Rupert Lowe-Profile didn't like Wayne Rooney's tattoo, or something.

Next up, we had the worst game of the tournament so far, as ageing and clueless France were ultimately lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. Zinedine Zidane looks a pale, pale shadow of the player who is generally regarded as the best of his generation, Frank Ribery looked completely out of his depth and Thierry Henry did nothing to dispel the myth that he is brilliant for Arsenal and utter cack for France. Mind you, had another French player been within 30 yards of him when France were attacking, he may have done better.

Before the tournament began, I put a tenner on Thierry Henry being one of the top three goalscorers at the tournament, on the basis France were up against Switzerland, Togo and the Koreans. Now I wish I'd never bothered, as France have to improve significantly just to get out of that group....

Perhaps the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies might help. I don't know.

Talking of players that are a pale, pale shadow of their former selves, fat, disinterested bundle of ar*e Ronaldo hardly set the World Cup alight in the evening game from Berlin, as Brazil opened their defence of the title with a narrow 1-0 win over the doughty Croatians. Apparently, he touched the ball eight times before being substituted for Robinho after just over an hour. It was a lovely goal that won the match - a sweet curling effort from Kakakakakakakakakakakakaka.

I remain convinced that Brazil are going to come unstuck in this tournament against an organised side with a decent defence. I don't know who that will be, but I am absolutely sure they aren't going to win the tournament. Watch that prediction bite me on the backside....

(N.B. I am having some horrid e-mail issues at present and so the A-Z of football is temporarily delayed whilst I try and sort out my issues. Thanks to all who have sent a contribution, it will be here soon. It will be extremely entertaining....)