World Cup: Thoughts on the Group stage

Far fewer surprises this year compared to the string of upsets we saw in Korea/Japan 2002. All the seeded teams survived the initial round of matches. Perhaps the biggest upsets have been the failure of the Czech Republic, Poland and Croatia to qualify; but these are minor upsets at best. Certainly, there was nothing here than approached the shock of France, Portugal and Italy booking early flights home in 2002.

I personally prefer it when the traditional "powerhouse" teams make it through to the knock-out stages. The David felling Goliath stories are fantastic and add the touch of whimsy and romance that any World Cup needs. I did think this got out of control in Korea/Japan, where we ended up with Turkey and South Korea as semi-finalists. Realistically, it is usually the big names that make it to the final anyway, and as a viewer, I want to see Argentina and Germany duke it out in a match-up that either may win rather than South Korea (2002 vintage) playing well but losing gamely to a good but not great Germany (also 2002 vintage) that still had the nous and experience to come out on top in big matches.

The fairy-tale romance of the group stages was supplied by two vastly contrasting teams; the skillful, enterprising Ghanaian Black Stars and the battling, enthusiastic Australian Socceroos. After this tournament, the Ghana players will probably be in the position of the Senegalese four years ago - highly sought after and fielding offers from a host of European clubs. Of course, Michael Essien has already trailed a path in this respect. The great Senegal experiment at Anfield (speaking from a totally biased Liverpool supporter point of view) was a mixed success, and I do think the Ghanaians might make a better fist of it. As for the Socceroos, I have been chuckling for two weeks about this team, where an oft-injured Liverpool player is the big star, and its other luminaries ply their trade in Everton, Blackburn and Middlesborough. I fully acknowledge the childishness of this sort of sniggering, but I rather think the Australians themselves might rather enjoy being the dogged journeymen sticking it to the Lamborghini-driving millionaires.

Most enjoyable matches to me were Croatia vs Australia and Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro. In a tournament of largely enjoyable matches, the Croatia vs Australia match had added drama, unpredictability and the hilarity of Graham Poll issuing three yellow cards to one player. Argentina vs Serbia& Montenegro was one of those beautiful one-sided matches that happen when a team just "clicks" and reaches sublime heights. It brought to mind Holland beating South Korea in the 1998 World Cup finals, when the Dutch machine just purred with movement. Argentina was in a similar zone in this match. I do not think we will see anything like this again in this World Cup, but we will always have THAT 24-passes goal.

Teams that impressed: Argentina, Spain, Germany, Brazil (in fits and starts), Switzerland.

Teams that were sorely disappointing but probably deserved to qualify for the next round: France, England.

Teams that showed enough to give their fans cause for cautious optimism: Italy, Portugal.

Teams that deserved better luck (and perhaps easier qualifying groups): Ivory Coast, South Korea, Czech Republic.

A few words on England (since anyone who calls him/herself a fan of any EPL club must have some interest in the English national team): The saga of Rooney's metatarsus occupied far too many column inches than I had time for. The English have this strange ability to become fixated on one small bone in the foot of one player, rather disconcerting for a great civilisation that has given us Shakespeare and Colonial Imperialism. It's great that Ronney is back for England, who looked a sorry lot without him and a very-slightly-less-sorry lot with him. The team has been completely devoid of imagination and I think Sven's a bit of an idiot, but they have not lost yet, so who am I to say anything?

How it looks like it's shaking out:

The likely money is on: Germany vs Brazil in the finals, again. Or, if sheer talent can overcome home-ground advantage, Argentina vs Brazil.

Going out on a limb for a long-odds previous-winners finals: England vs Italy or Italy vs France.

The very long-odds non-previous-winner finals: Switzerland vs Spain or Ukraine vs Portugal.

Predictions to be updated as the round of 16 plays out.