Oh well, gonna have to make this a brief one as I’m trying to sort the stuff I need to take to Germany. Off on the 2am ferry from Dover Monday night, with tickets for England v Sweden and Brazil v Japan. I was in line for a Holland v Argentina from a contact but it fell through, so Frankfurt Fan Park it’ll be for me on Wednesday if the prices I’m hearing about are anything to go by. No way am I paying more than 250 euros to see a group game in the World Cup.

So how is it all shaping up? Well for the most part, the teams involved seem to actually be trying to win matches, so generally the games have been entertaining. Everyone’s raving about Argentina and writing off Brazil. What happens at this stage is pretty meaningless though. Brazil have time to run into form (there were hints of it yesterday v the Aussies) and Argentina have time to lose theirs. Frankly, all it takes to get eliminated from the competition is a draw in a knockout match and a lame shoot-out effort from one player and you’re on the plane home. It’s a Cup competition, so my main hope is that we get some classic match ups in the knockout phase – there weren’t many four years ago let’s face it.

For this to happen, it’s important the leading lights get through. I think France will simply because Togo are in such disarray. Italy need to be careful and could go if they lose to the Czechs and Ghana beat the USA. Anyway, I’ve already watched so many games that the whole thing’s beginning to become a bit of a blur in my memory.

Can’t ignore Arsenal completely, so here’s a few scrambled thoughts on our boys. Toure and Eboue. Let down by their attackers and midfielders at the other end. So many chances against both Argentina and Holland – just two goals to show for it. Do not deserve to be going into the last match with only pride to play for. Fabregas – impressed as a sub v Ukraine, but the east Europeans were done by then. However, does not look out of place at this level which is saying something for one of his years. Henry – finally hit the target against South Korea, but should have got at least another one. Just doesn’t happen so easily for France, but he can hardly transfer to Brazil can he? I know PV4 is history, but seeing him sky a couple of efforts 20 meters over the bar brought back a few memories!

Ashley Cole is starting to look better, although in truth, is he even going to be at Arsenal next season? It would be a surprise. Freddie Ljungberg though – what a player. Seems to be carrying the Swedish effort single-handed. Tomas Rosicky. A bit quieter for Czechs v Ghana, although I noticed the excitement in the Czech fans when he got the ball in space and could run with itt. Don’t tell me that’s just based on one display against the USA. Czechs probably need to beat Italy, so that could be one hell of an encounter. Mad Jens. Seems to have decided not to shout at opposition forwards, so maybe he feels he’s getting more protection from the officials.

Van Persie – a little more from him in the Ivory Coast match, could be coming to the boil nicely. Gilberto – a surprise substitute appearance v the Aussies. And he did what he does for Arsenal – cover the centre backs and pass the ball out for an Aussie throw. Can’t see Emerson getting dropped based on that contribution. Adebayor, Senderos, Djourou – I’m writing this Monday morning, so nothing to report. Can’t see the Swiss failing to beat Togo though. Still to se anything of Reyes and Sol Campbell, but nice bench warming lads. In the spirit of Eddie McGoldrick USA 94. As for Theo Walcott. Fulfilling an identical role to that he plays at Arsenal. Trains with the first team and sits out the real thing. Even the most one-eyed Gooner would have to admit that taking him was madness on Sven’s part. Great piece of work by Arsene though to get the lad used to running up and down the touchline at top level football matches!

Oh well, that’s your lot until I get back from Germany on Friday. More next weekend when the last 16 draw is settled. By the way. England. No chance of winning the damn thing, so please don’t get carried away by any of the euphoria that will occur if we end up with a last 16 match v Ecuador. Have not played one decent team yet and have still struggled. Could bundle their way through to the last eight with a bit of luck, but would have to be very lucky in the draw to get past that. Suspect they will struggle to beat Sweden (unless Freddie’s lot don’t want to win themselves to avoid Germany).