Who Ate All The Bratwurst

5 Conclusions: Germany v Argentina

1 Congratulations to our glorious hosts.

2 Argentina (and particularly Pekerman) seemed to have started to believe their own hype. Planning for the semi-final instead of focusing on the task in hand proved fatal.

3 Jens Lehmann is a formidable keeper in a penalty shootout, more so than Oliver Kahn.

4 Oliver Bierhoff looked like a bouncer in his suit and acted the part in the post-match fracas!

5 Jurgen Klinsmann has got his leaping David Pleat impression spot on.

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Holland v Portugal

1 Referee Valentin Ivanov = trouble. Bring back Graham Poll!

2 England could theoretically face a Portugal side without Deco, Figo, Costinha and Cristiano Ronaldo.

3 If it had gone to extra-time I think we might have seen full blown warfare. What's the next level up after bad-tempered?!

4 And what's the next level down after ice cool? Nothing ruffled Marco van Basten's feathers.

5 Ruud van Nistelrooy can't get a game for club or country it seems.

Rob Parker

Bratwurst awards ceremony for the World Cup losers

Just like the headteacher at a failing school's awards evening, here at Bratwurst we want to make sure that nobody goes home empty handed. This is our awards ceremony full of token prizes for those teams whose World Cup dream is now over after first round elimination.

Join us in this celebration of mediocrity and allow me to hand you over to our host with most: Mr Mick McCarthy.

The Award for having most players in the second round without qualifying
And the winner is: Poland
The Poles may be out, but Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are still flying the flag (the German flag though).

The Award for best Premiership blast from the past
And the winner is: Paulo Wanchope (Costa Rica)
The gangly forward is reportedly angling for a return too.

The Award for talking a good game
And the winner is: Paraguay
They were all mouth before the tournament and didn't deliver.

The Award for outstanding effort
And the winner is: Trinidad and Tobago
Nobody expect anything other than three heavy defeats for T&T and they proved everyone wrong.

The Award for being the best team not to qualify for the second round
And the winner is: Ivory Coast
Gave an excellent account of themselves, but the Group of Death was a bit too deadly for them.

The Award for messiest World Cup divorce
And the winner is: Serbia & Montenegro
S&M will go their separate ways now. Not sure who gets the kids.

The Award for worst World Cup haircut
And the winner is: Loco (Angola)
No need for any comment here.

The Award for the participating country most likely to get bombed by America
And the winner is: Iran
Unless George Dubya has been wooed by their carpet pennants.

The Award for furthest distance travelled downhill after an opening match
And the winner is: Czech Republic
So full of promise after whipping the USA, but it all ended in tears.

The Award for the coach with the more plausible name for a World Cup venue
And the winner is: Bruce Arena (USA)
"Welcome to the Bruce Arena in Frankfurt for today's game between..."

The Award for most referees eliminated from the World Cup
And the winner is: Croatia
With a little help from Mr Poll himself, of course!

The Award for giving Brazil a scare before getting thrashed
And the winner is: Japan
You can never keep Ronaldo down. Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

The Award for most French hearts put in mouths
And the winner is: South Korea
They nearly sneaked through after that late equaliser against Les Bleus.

The Pierre van Hooijdonk Award for most strikes threatened
And the winner is: Togo
If only they had spent as much time on the training ground as they had at the negotiation table.

The Award for packing midfield and not scoring enough goals
And the winner is: Tunisia
Couldn't change their system even when they needed a win against Ukraine.

The Award for most surnames in a squad beginning with 'Al'
And the winner is: Saudi Arabia
No fewer than 12 of the Saudi squad were Al something.

Rob Parker

Day 13 preview & predictions

Day 13 already! This is going way too fast. Interesting line-up today, including Holland v Argentina (scorchio!) and the most romantic-sounding tie in World Cup history: Ivory Coast versus Serbia and Montenegro – say it aloud, it's pure poetry…

3pm Portugal v Mexico, Group D, Gelsenkirchen (ITV1, Live Blog on Bratwurst)
3pm Iran v Angola, Group D, Leipzig (ITV2)
8pm Holland v Argentina, Group C, Frankfurt (ITV1)
8pm Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro, Group C, Munich

Day 13 preview & predictions cont…

3pm Portugal v Mexico, Group D, Gelsenkirchen (ITV1, Live Blog on Bratwurst)

Portugal just need a draw to top Group D. Mexico also need a draw to progress, but even a defeat would probably see them through, unless Angola beat Iran by more than three goals. In other words, I can't see either team going for the jugular. Should be a lukewarm affair.
Player cam: Deco, Costinha and Pauleta are all one yellow away from missing the last 16 match, so we could see the introduction of fop-haired Nuno Gomes, who always seems to reserve his best form for major tournaments.
Prediction: Portugal 0 – 0 Mexico

* * * * *

3pm Iran v Angola, Group D, Leipzig (ITV2)

Angola have been a pleasure to watch and I'd love to see them go through. Their chances are mighty slim though. They need to thump Iran by three or four and then hope that Portugal beats Mexico. Can't see that happening, especially as Angola have yet to score a goal. Iran, of course, are already out.
Player cam: I hope Iran's Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh sees a lot of the ball, if only to piss off the commentators.
Prediction: Iran 2 – 1 Angola

* * * * *

8pm Holland v Argentina, Group C, Frankfurt (ITV1)

The most appealing tie of the tournament so far. Pity that both teams have already qualified, plus neither will be too bothered about finishing top, with Portugal and Mexico waiting in the wings. England fans should  pray that Holland don't win this match and top Group C though – if they do, England is set for another quarter-final showdown with Argentina. Ouch. For the Dutch, Gio van Bronckhorst, Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel and Joris Mathijsen, all on yellow cards, are expected to sit this one out. Carlos Tevez should start for Argentina, but Lionel Messi will have to sit on the bench again, at least for the first half.
Player cam: Carlos Tevez was one of my Golden Boot picks before the tournament began, but it's not so easy getting in the starting line-up when you're competing with Crespo, Saviola and Messi. Let's see what he can do from the start…
Prediction: Holland 1 – 1 Argentina

* * * * *

8pm Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro, Group C, Munich

Aw, who cares? Both teams are out, Drogba and Kezman are suspended (bet neither hangs around to support their team-mates) and we're left with a meaningless game.
Player cam: Not even sure if this is on telly, and with Holland v Argentina on at the same time, no one will be watching if it is.
Prediction: Ivory Coast 2 – 1 Serbia & Montenegro

Classic World Cup Moments: Argentina's fantastic team goal complete with crazy commentary

Esteban Cambiasso's goal for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro has already gone down as a Classic World Cup Moment and as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. And no Classic World Cup Moment is complete without memorable commentary. On this video the commentary is provided by barking mad Argentinian broadcaster Marcelo Araujo.

Rob Parker

Holland fans invade Germany

Stuttgart turns orange for the day…

3’s SeeMeTV service want fans to upload their World Cup video blogs. …Contributors earn 1p every time their video is watched by someone else on 3. More info at www.three.co.uk

In another life: Zinha and Gerardo Terrado

In another life Mexico pair Zinha and Gerardo Terrado would be singing duo Simon and Garfunkel, oblivious to the World Cup as they tour America on one last comeback tour. If Mexico fail to beat Portugal they could both be in need of A Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Mexico 0-0 Angola

1 At least it is not just England struggling to break down the stubborn defence of inferior opposition.

2 Ollie has jinxed Omar Bravo by putting him into his fantasy team. Last Sunday's clinical finisher couldn't hit the proverbial this evening.

3 Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo's aloof attitude towards the game is excellent. He comes for a cross, gets nowhere near the ball and then looks around as if to say 'Well I didn't want the ball anyway.' No wonder he hasn't got a club!

4 If Ricardo La Volpe was only going to pack one tie for the entire tournament, surely he could have found a better one than this.

5 Mexico's game against Iran was not the toughest opener, but I thought they looked a decent side. Now they are faced with an early exit if they lose by a couple to Portugal and Angola beat Iran.

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro (Holy shit, Argentina looked good)

1 Oh…
2 My…
3 God!
4 Serbia & Montenegro were awful, but that shouldn't detract from Argentina's stunning performance. My jaw is still on the floor…
5 Esteban Cambiasso's goal, coming after 24 immaculate passes, is up there with Carlos Alberto's famous goal for Brazil in 1970. A thing of beauty. (We'll try and post a clip of it asap)

LIVE BLOG: Argentina 6 – 0 Serbia & Montenegro

Click below to access the Live Blog for Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Join in and post your comments as the match progresses… (FYI, after the match, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.)

LIVE BLOG: Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro, 2pm, Gelsenkirchen

Live blog will follow soon…

Pre-game build-up Hi and welcome to another Bratwurst Live Blog. Ian Wright, Leonardo and Alan Hansen on the BBC pundits' bench, with Gary Lineker as anchor, so not much sense out of that lot. Jonathan Pearce and Mick McCarthy in the commentators' box.

Players are walking out onto the pitch now. The roof is closed, to avoid any TV-unfriendly shadows on the pitch. Maradona is in the crowd again. Gotta love his heart-on-sleeve support for his homeland.

Argentina anthem - Gabriel Heinze is biting his lip and looking a bit tearful. Shot of Maradona (not for the last time this afternoon) shouting his head off.

Serbian anthem - not a great tune, most of the team can't be bothered to sing/don't know the words.

OK, kick-off just a minute away. Stay posted and keep refreshing your browser every couple of minutes. Enjoy…

1min And we're off… Argentina all in blue, S&M all in white… Savo Milosevic winning his 100th cap today, Aston Villa fans will be shocked to discover… early corner to Argentina, Riquelme takes, half-cleared for another corner… headed away to relative safety. Argentina on top early.

4min Sorin's soft-rock hair looks as bad as ever… slow pace to the game so far… Crespo caught offside and S&M clear upfield.

5min GOAAAAAAAL! Argentina 1-0 Serbia & Montenegro. Maxi Rodrigues finishes off an incisive passing move to stroke the ball home from inside the penalty area. Easy.

8min Great goal by Argentina, S&M really up against it now… yellow card for S&M's Koroman. He'll miss their last group match, against Ivory Coast.

11min Argentina have won 14 of their last 22 World Cup group games, Jonathan Pearce tells us. Trebles for show, doubles for dough though, as they say in darts.

13min Free-kick to Argentina, 30 yards out, after Maxi Rodrigues was fouled… Riquelme drives the ball low into Sorin, who shoots well over the bar. Riquelme and Saviola both look very sharp early on.

16min Kezman makes a run into the box but the pass is too long for him… S&M need to get their foot on the ball and pass it around for a bit… better play from S&M leads to a corner, their first of the match… early sub: Luis Gonzalez is injured on his World Cup debut and is replaced by Esteban Cambiasso… S&M corner still to be taken… into the keeper's arms.

20min Savo Milosevic looked like a donkey for Aston Villa and he looks like a donkey for Serbia and Montenegro. Form is temporary, being a donkey is permanent… better passing by S&M but no end product.

23min Game is stop-start right now, ref is a bit whistle-happy. No flow to proceedings… S&M starting to get back into the match, though they're not really threatening Argentina's goal.

25min S&M's Koroman commits his umpteenth foul. He's already on a yellow and could easily have been sent off there… the resulting Riquelme free-kick is cleared for a corner, which the S&M keeper catches comfortably… Heinze called for a push on Kezman but there was f-all contact… free-kick to S&M on left-edge of Argentina penalty box… Milosevic penalised for leaning on Sorin.

27min Yellow card for S&M's Nadj, for pulling Riquelme's shirt. Naughty boy… Riquelme cuts across the edge of the box after neat Arg movement but he slices the ball well over.

30min Foul on Kezman by Ayala, who then has a go at Milosevic for diving inside the box. All getting a bit feisty. Can't see 22 players on the pitch when the final whistle sounds.

31min GOOOOAAALLL! Argentina 2-0 Serbia & Montenegro Cambiasso finishes off a beautiful one-touch passing move with a decisive finish inside the penalty box. Lovely goal. 24 passes in the build-up, according to Jonathan Pearce.

34min On this form, Argentina would cut England to ribbons. They'd cut most teams to ribbons. As Mick McCarthy says, they look 'different class'.

37min I called him Estian Cambiasso – he is of course Esteban Cambiasso. D'oh! … Hernan Crespo scores a legit goal, but is called offside and then he's shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away (if by 'kicking the ball away', you mean scoring a perfectly good goal).

39min Kezman down injured. He was caught by Ayala in the back of his leg. A crafty foul by Ayala, who is all over Kezman 'like a rash'… the former Chelski striker is OK to resume though.

41min GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Argentina 3-0 Serbia & Montenegro Great run by Saviola and the ball falls kindly to Maxi Rodrigues, who bangs the ball into the net (off the left post) from very close range. Maxi's second goal of the afternoon and Argentina are cruising now.

43min 18 fouls in the match so far, 12 to S&M and… hey, you do the math…

45min Moody monkey man Kezman needs to calm down, as they say in Liverpool, or he'll be sent off… corner to S&M, overhit though and it comes to nothing.

45+2min HALF-TIME Cracking first-half, completely dominated by the South Americans. Once again, our live blog is stomping all over the BBC's live blog. We're Fernando Torres to their Michael Owen…

back in 15 mins… stick with us and you won't go wrong!

Gary Lineker makes a terrible joke about Jose Pekerman being a taxi driver… Leonardo looks totally bemused but he has to go along with it, poor bloke.

Watching replay of Cambiasso's goal. What a f**king amazing team goal! Unbelievable one-touch passing and cheeky flicks. Poetry in motion. Beckham and co might as well go home now…

Highlights of the England game - don't you just hate the way David Beckham cocks his head to one side when he applauds England's fans? Such a show pony.

46min S&M midfielder Ergic on for Nadj, who was on a yellow card from the first half… well-struck Milosevic shot is tipped around the post by Abbondanzieri.

48min Positive start by S&M. Bit late for that boys… a Mascherano goal would be nice. I've got him to be man of the match at 28-1.

50min Koroman taken off for Ljuboja, who has hair like a 'badger' (Jonathan Pearce) or a 'skunk' (Mick McCarthy), depending on who you listen to.

52min Hot Crespo shot is spilled by S&M keeper but runs safe… Argentina almost score another wonder team goal, but offside flag is up. This is as one-sided a game as the World Cup has seen, with the possible excpetion of Spain v Ukraine.

55min Free-kick to Arg on edge of S&M box, after Maxi Rodrigues is fouled. Dangerous position… Riquelme takes it… straight into the wall. A wasted chance. S&M counter-attack but Savo Milosevic can't get his massive head to Kezman's cross. Donkey boy.

57min Carlos Tevez about to come on… can't wait to see him in action. Great little striker. Here he comes… Javier Saviola, who's had another fine match, makes way for Tevez.

60min Maradona looked pleased to see introduction of Tevez… S&M playing for pride and a consolation goal now… dangerous S&M cross cleared by Heinze, who's playing at centre-back this afternoon.

62min Great skill by Tevez to elude a couple of S&M players. His introduction really shows up the lack of depth on England's bench by comparison. Walcott may have potential but Tevez is a much better player.

65min Milosevic slips in the box and complains that he was fouled. Him and Kezman make a pretty abject front pairing for S&M.

66min Kezman cuts down Mascherano and gets a red card. It was coming, as I said earlier in the blog ('Moody monkey man Kezman needs to calm down, as they say in Liverpool, or he'll be sent off'). Not convinced it was a red card, though it was a two-footed challenge.

68min S&M must wish they could start the World Cup over again. Nothing's gone right for them. Oh well, there's always 2010…

71min Savo Milosevic replaced by Vukic. Donkey… Argentina passing it around to 'oles' now.

73min Tevez slips on the grass, not for the first time… Crespo goes down in the box, put through by a lovely Riquelme backheel, but the ref waves play on.

75min Big roar as 18-year-old prodigy Lionel Messi comes on for Maxi Rodrigues. I bet S&M players are thrilled to see him too…

77min Loads of candidates for man of the match… Sorin, Heinze, Riquelme, Mascherano, Cambiasso… take your pick from the whole Argentina team really… a fierce Gavrancic strike goes just wide and the Arg keeper claims the corner and hurls it out to Messi, who is promptly fouled.

78min GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! Argentina 4-0 Serbia & Montenegro Messi sets up Crespo for a tap-in.

80min S&M's fans and coaching staff all look dejected, as well they might. This is a demolition. Will Argentina push forward and look for a fifth goal though?

83min Tevez slips yet again and another slick Argentina passing move breaks up.

84min GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! Argentina 5-0 Serbia & Montenegro Tevez beats a couple of S&M defenders and slides the ball home. Neat goal. We want six, we want six!

87min GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! Argentina 6-0 Serbia & Montenegro Messi finishes another fine passing move to really embarrass S&M and cement Argentina's status as the new World Cup favourites. We want seven!

90min A truly scary performance by the South Americans. The ref blows up early, to save S&M from further embarrassment. Wow.

Thanks for watching!

FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.

Germany 2006: Day 8 preview & predictions

The start of week two sees World Cup heavyweights Argentina and Holland back in action…

2pm Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro, Group C, Gelsenkirchen (BBC, Live Blog on Bratwurst)
5pm Holland v Ivory Coast, Group C, Stuttgart (ITV)
8pm Mexico v Angola, Group D, Hanover (ITV)

Click below to read the full preview & predictions (I did predict a 2-0 England win and a 1-0 Sweden win yesterday morning but didn't put any money on – d'oh!)

Germany 2006: Day 8 preview & predictions cont…

2pm Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro, Group C, Gelsenkirchen (BBC, Live Blog on Bratwurst)

Argentina were one of the most impressive teams in the first round of group games, but Group C is a tough son of a bitch, with no easy games. Holland struggled to get past S&M, but Argentina's task will be made easier by the tournament-ending injury (knee ligaments) to Serbia/Man Utd central defender Nemanja Vidic. Lionel Messi starts on the bench for Argentina and should come on in the second half.
Player cam: Argentina's young central midfielder Javier Mascherano is mature beyond his 22 years and a superstar in the making.
Prediction: Argentina 1 – 0 Serbia & Montenegro

* * * * *

5pm Holland v Ivory Coast, Group C, Stuttgart (ITV)

Holland came in for some unfair flak after their opening-game win against Serbia, mostly because they relied on Arjen Robben too much. Absurd – no one ever had a pop at Argentina for relying on Maradona too much in 1986. This match should be a cracker – on paper, it's one of the most attractive games of the group stages. Ivory Coast could well be the best team not to qualify for the knockout stages.
Player cam: All eyes will be on Robben again, but I'll also take a good look at Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure, Kolo's younger brother.
Prediction: Holland 1 – 2 Ivory Coast

* * * * *

8pm Mexico v Angola, Group D, Hanover (ITV)

I'll readily admit I don't know enough about Mexico to comment on them with any authority, but they looked pretty handy against Iran. They could be the tournament's dark horses (if a nation ranked fourth in the world can be considered a dark horse). Angola looked poor against an uninspired Portugal and will struggle to get anything from this match.
Player cam: I've transferred Mexican striker Omar Bravo into my fantasy team, so I'm hoping that hasn't jinxed him. Get in there Omar!
Prediction: Mexico 1 – 0 Angola

Bet of the Day: Ivory Coast to beat Holland 2-1 and Didier Drogba to score first

Ivory Coast were unlucky not to come away with a draw from their match with Argentina. Holland looked comfortable in possession against Serbia & Montenegro, but their defence did not look strong. Blue Square's Scorecast has an Ivory Coast 2-1 victory with Didier Drogba opening the scoring at 65/1. Alternatively you can get 10/3 on an Ivory Coast win of any description.

Rob Parker

Van Persie: Robben is a selfish c**t

Arjen Robben was voted Fifa's official man of the match for yesterday's Serbia v Holland encounter (he scored the only goal but the Dutch were overreliant on him, as Simon Kuper pointed out in the Financial Times) but not all of his team-mates think as highly if him. Arsenal's Robin van Persie slagged Robben off after the match (just can't shake that Chelsea/Arsenal rivalry), saying: 'He can't do it all by himself… sometime he makes decisions for himself and not the team'

Ouch. Not like the Dutch to in-fight it it? And they won the match! Hate to see the fall-out if they lose…

LIVE BLOG: Serbia & Montenegro vs Holland

Click below to access the Live Blog for Serbia & Montenegro v Holland (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Post your comments as the match progresses.

LIVE BLOG: Serbia & Montenegro v Holland (click refresh to update)

1.40pm I've gone nearly 14 hours without live World Cup football - the withdrawal symptoms are starting to set in. Come on S&M and Holland let's get going. BBC coverage starts in five minutes so get your drinks ready if you can see a TV. If you're at work fear not - we'll keep you posted.

1.52pm The teams are on their way on to the pitch. The ref has just winked at the camera in the tunnel. Slightly worrying!

1.55pm Looks like another fantastic atmosphere. The stadium is basically entirely orange. So are Holland - they are wearing orange shorts and socks to avoid a clash, which I think looks better. Anthems underway.

1.57pm Mick McCarthy couldn't resist a 'You've Been Tangoed' gag. Very tempted to mute, but Steve Wilson is a decent commentator.

2pm The winking ref gets us underway.

2.01pm Holland get a free kick midway in S&M's half after Robben falls over. No danger from the flicked header though.

2.03pm Holland look very comfortable passing it around. Not making in-roads just yet though.

2.05pm Last ditch interception stops Robben's through ball to van Nistelrooy and S&M eventually get a free kick to relieve pressure.

2.07pm S&M's first break, but Kezman stands on the ball. Until now they haven't been able to make it stick up front - shades of England's second half yesterday.

2.09pm Another cheap free kick, this time for S&M, but it's fairly easy for van der Sar.

2.11pm Robben's down like he's been shot after the slightest of touches. Sneijer's free kick from out wide is cleared by the first man.

2.12pm First sight of goal for S&M. Djordjevic's pull back runs harmlessly across goal as two S&M players get in each others' way.

2.14pm Another chance for S&M allegedly for Savo Milosevic, but it looks like Milan Baros masquerading as him. A weak shot from the right of the box after working the space for himself.

2.17pm GOAL: 1-0 to Holland. Arjen Robben races through the very high defensive line after a beautiful lobbed though-ball from van Persie. Robben slots home cooly.

2.21pm Robben stings the keeper's fingers with a powerful shot from 25 yards. Nothing comes of the resulting corner.

2.22pm The winking ref takes a tumble much to the pleasure of the crowd.

2.24pm Steve Wilson says there is a 'swagger' about the Dutch and he's spot on. It has been apparent from the first minute. The supposedly mean S&M defence are lacking in pace and the ball over the top for Robben is always on.

2.28pm S&M corner as Mathijsen gets his head to a cross. The corner is poor but it is eventually worked wide again and crossed into the box. Kezman might have done better at the back post.

2.30pm S&M's best spell so far. Milosevic shoots from outside the box but it's straight to van der Sar's chest.

2.33pm Stankovic clips Heitinga as he is about to race clear down the right flank. Picks up a yellow card and a bad shin for his troubles.

2.36pm Robben jinks inside his man and puts in a low cross-cum-shot which misses the post by a whisker.

2.37pm This is the Arjen Robben we saw in the 2004/05 season. Another mesmerising run wins a corner. He takes it himself but it is cut out.

2.40pm S&M are struggling to work the ball out of their defensive third, while Holland are more than happy to pass it along their backline with no pressure.

2.44pm It's end-to-end. Ooijer cuts out a cross from substitute Koroman. Holland break away but can't create anything and S&M are back on the attack.

2.46pm Koroman has brought a new lease of live to S&M. He fires just over from outside the box after Milosevic tees him up.

HALF TIME

3.03pm Half time entertainment courtesy of Martin O'Neill - not camera friendly but makes sense - and Alan Hansen's baggy trousers showing under the table. Second half kicks off. S&M have brought on the 6ft 8in Zigic.

3.06pm S&M make the brighter start to the second half. Koroman turns neatly in the box and wins a corner. He skips off to the corner flag trying to rouse the Serbian crowd.

3.08pm Even Zigic can't get his head to an overhit cross. Definitely a touch of Frankenstein's monster about him.

3.10pm Holland are trying to slow the game back to their pace after S&M raised the tempo. It's a very open game now. Promises to be a good second half.

3.15pm It is working. Holland are seeing more of the ball again. S&M are playing the ball out of defence better now though, which means they have a chance on the break.

3.17pm Headed backpass goes for a corner for S&M, but again it is overhit. Someone should tell them Zigic is 6ft 8in, not 8ft 8in.

3.18pm Markus Merk, the winking ref, bizarrely pulls up Kezman for a raised foot when he attempts an overhead kick in the area. Is this the end of one of football's most spectacular form of goals?

3.22pm Shouts for an S&M penalty are turned down after the ball hits Ooijer's arm. Mick McCarthy suggests that "it has hit him on the hand, but you can't say he moved his balls to it." Fair comment, Mick.

3.25pm The Dutch have started committing silly fouls. Stankovic fires over from one free kick. Chelsea flop Kezman is withdrawn as we wait for another.

3.28pm Feel free to have your say on anything in the match. Just post a comment.

3.30pm The excellent Koroman forces a save out of van der Sar low to his right. The keeper seems to get cramp while gathering the ball.

3.34pm Robben wins a corner for Holland, but it is easily cleared.

3.35pm Dutch substitutes Kuyt and Landzaat (on for van Nistelrooy and van Bommel respectively) nearly combine to create an openig but Kuyt's pass goes astray.

3.36pm S&M find Zigic's head in the penalty area for the first time after half an hour on the pitch, but he doesn't get a good connection. Koroman then works a good opportunity, but tries to lay it off when he should have shot.

3.38pm Van Basten and his coaching staff are sweating on the bench (literally as well as metaphorically). It's another scorcher in Deutschland.

3.41pm Van Persie nearly saves his boss some deodorant as his wicked free kick from out wide whistles inches wide. The game is still on though.

3.42pm Van der Sar has cramp again after challenging in the air with Zigic. Lazy keepers!

3.45pm As we enter the last five minutes Holland are content to pass the game out, with the exception of Robben who is still taking players on and looking to kill S&M off.

3.46pm A sloppy minute from Holland. Van der Sar nearly passes the ball to an S&M player and they then give the ball away and end up conceding a corner.

3.47pm Robben pops up on the right but his in-swinger misses the target.

3.48pm Robben is back on the left. Gavrancic bodychecks him and is booked. Free-kick on the edge of the box to Holland.

3.50pm Zigic gets away with an overhead kick near the halfway line. 4.8 on the Richter scale as he lands.

3.51pm Zigic wastes the last two chance of the game as he stretches for the ball at the near post and then lets Ljuboja's cross pass him buy.

FULL TIME - Holland - like England - impress in the first half, but have to hold out in the second half. Gary Lineker quips that perhaps van Basten's substitutions are to blame!

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Argentina vs Ivory Coast

1 Argentina are good. Not unbeatable, but very good.

2 Lanky Yaya Toure will be snapped up by a Premiership side if he puts in a couple more performances like that.

3 It was great to see Diego Maradona (pictured) behaving like a true fan while surrounded by the prawn sandwich brigade.

4 Ivory Coast are certainly capable of getting results in their remaining two games.

5 This was the worst match for hair so far. Kader Keita's blue-rinse, Esteban Cambiasso's amazing baldness lagoon and, of course, Juan Sorin's shoulder length locks.

Rob Parker

Serbia & Montenegro vs Holland: LIVE BLOG, today 2pm

If you are unlucky enough to be working on this beautiful Sunday, console yourself by joining us for a live blog on the Serbia & Montenegro vs Holland match at 2pm BST. Even if you can get to a television, Mick McCarthy is co-commentating on this match so feel free to stick him on mute and join us.

Rob Parker

Kit Parade: Argentina

Argentina get their World Cup campaign up and running today against Ivory Coast, but they were one of the few big guns whose kit we had not looked at. The reason for that was that there isn't a great deal to say about it. The Argentina kit has not changed too much over recent years and that remains the case. The now familiar pale blue and white stipes are of course present. You can buy it from Kitbag.

Rob Parker

Pekerman names Argentina starting team v Ivory Coast. Saviola and Heinze start but no Messi or Tevez

Abbondanzieri; Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin; Rodriguez, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Riquelme; Saviola, Crespo

Man Utd's Gabriel Heinze is back from his lengthy lay-off, but there's no Lionel Messi (still recovering from injury) and, surprisingly, no Carlos Tevez. Thought Tevez would start, but Saviola is preferred. Strange decision. Argentina play the Ivory Coast tomorrow at 8pm (BST). Should be a cracker.

Australia do Argentina a favour with a little game of kick the Dutchman

With all the attention on ensuring the Australian public get as excited about Germany 2006 as they do about rugby World Cups, a few of the players seem to have got a bit confused as to which sport they were playing.

With all the vigour of a side who had not qualified, the Socceroos tore into Holland during a 1-1 draw today. Holland's Wesley Sneijder (pictured) and Gio van Bronckhorst both picked up ankle injuries, while Philip Cocu injured his thigh. Luke Wilkshire was sent off for the tackle which injured van Bronckhorst during a distinctly unfriendly friendly.

Click here to read more from the BBC.

Rob Parker

Saving Private Robben

The Dutch winger is everyone's favourite 'simulator', so surely it's only a matter of time before Hollywood remakes his harrowing story. Perhaps it would look something like this…

One to Watch: Dirk Kuyt, Holland

The 25-year-old Feyenoord striker has recently been courting a 'dream move' to Newcastle United. Kuyt is no Alan Shearer but he does have what it takes to be a big success in the Premiership: impressive physical strength, a foot like a traction engine and, above all, a positive attitude that would endear him to any team's fans. I think he'd make an ideal Shearer replacement – Toon Army soldiers, do you agree?

Germany and Holland: just good friends

'"I want my bicycle back" taunts the German slogan on a Dutch fan’s T-shirt, making light of Nazi plundering of the Netherlands while stirring up one of the most bitter rivalries in international football…'

Great article on why the Dutch hate the Germans so much – and vice versa.

All 32 squads announced. Here are the full details…

So all 32 World Cup squads have now been announced. Sven wasn't joking: Theo Walcott (pictured) is still in there! World Cup Blog has done the groundwork and compiled an exhaustive list of all the squads, which you can see by visiting Bob and co's excellent site…

Angola, Holland, Mexico, Japan squads announced

Woah woah, slow down a minute, I've only got one par of hands to type with! With the 15 May deadline for announcing your 23-man squad now upon us, World Cup coaches have been unveiling their choices left, right and centre. So now we know the 23-player rosters of Mexico, Japan, Holland (no George Boateng, Boro fans) and Angola.

Wait, wait… the Czech squad has also been annouced. It's all happening.

Kit Parade: Holland retro tracksuit top

Rob's post on that very cool Cameroon Italia '90 shirt has put me in a retro mood. Going further back than 1990, here's a replica Holland adidas tracksuit top from 1974, the era of weighty sideburns and a certain Mr Cruyff. If anyone at adidas is listening, feel free to send me loads of old adidas clobber – if not, I guess I'll have to buy it from their online shop.

Kit Parade: Ivory Coast

Does anybody know what the guys at Puma are smoking? You may remember we told you about the Senegal kit with the hidden baobab tree. Well, the Ivory Coast might just have gone one better (and they have qualified for the World Cup too). Unless my eyes are playing tricks again, there is an elephant hidden in the design of this shirt.  You can buy it from UK Soccershop.

Rob Parker

One to Watch: Nikola Zigic, Serbia & Montenegro

Don't be fooled by the 'Ooh matron!' photo. The 25-year-old Red Star Belgrade striker is taller than Peter Crouch (Zigic is 6ft8in) and built like something made out of brick – a shithouse, say. He's been linked with moves to Arsenal and West Ham, but his club's president has said 'no deal' until after the World Cup…

One to Watch: Nikola Zigic, Serbia & Montenegro cont…

Just as no Premiership defender ever wants to come up against Big Duncan Ferguson, no defender will be keen to mark 'Big Zig' (is that his nickname? It should be) in any of Serbia's Group C matches. He's great in the air (obviously) and has a foot like a very big traction engine. He's not pretty, but he's very effective – Zig has already been voted S&M's player of the year twice. Watch him destroy AS Roma in this season's Uefa Cup…

GROUP C: The verdict

Argentina, Holland, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro: Group C is undoubtedly this year's group of death. Very tough to call, but that's what we've done…

GROUP C: HOW THEY'LL FINISH

1st Argentina Hugely talented (although if Messi is injured it will be a huge loss for them) and will be desparate to make up for abject failure in 2002. Every nation will fear the playmaking of Juan Riquelme (pictured) and the finishing of Carlos Tevez. As we said in their team guide, potential winners.

2nd Holland Young, inexperienced squad but they'll have loads of support – each of their group matches will feel like a home tie for the Dutch. May struggle against Argentina but should beat Serbia and the Ivory Coast.

3rd Serbia & Montenegro Robust defence is hard to score against. Could surprise people and nick the odd 1-0 win. Tough luck that they're in a nightmare group.

4th Ivory Coast I'm a huge fan of Arsenal's Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, but the Cote D'Ivoire face three very difficult matches. I'd love them to qualify, but just can't see it. Plus no team containing Didier Drogba can be truly likeable.

So Argentina and Holland make it to the second round, to join Germany and Poland from Group A and England and Sweden from Group B. Stay tuned for the first of our Group D team guides, coming very soon (later today, in fact).

This is how the bookies (Blue Square) see the group. (Slightly surprised to see Serbia above Ivory Coast but then Serbia did qualify impressively and so deserve the 'dark horse' tag):

Argentina 11-10
Holland 11-8
Serbia & Montenegro 15-2
Ivory Coast 8-1

Tight at the top, no value there - if you rate the Ivory Coast, 8-1 is a decent price.

 

Team Guide: Serbia and Montenegro

Time to bring another chapter to a close in the epic novel that is the Bratwurst team guides.  Fear not because Group C is going out with a bang. So strap yourselves in readers - it's time for a bit of S&M.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO, Group C

11 June vs NETHERLANDS (2pm*, Leipzig)

16 June vs ARGENTINA (2pm, Gelsenkirchen)

21 June vs IVORY COAST (8pm, Munich)

*all times BST

World Ranking 46

How they qualified

Very impressively.  They emerged unscathed and top of a group containing Spain, Belgium and rivals (understatement) Bosnia-Herzegovina.  They won six of their matches and drew the other four.  Congratulations have to go to Spain's Raul - the only player to score against Serbia & Montenegro during qualifying.

World Cup history

None, sort of.  Serbia & Montenegro only became a footballing nation in 2003.  Yugoslavia qualified for seven World Cups and were semi-finalists in the first World Cup in 1930.  So the Serbs can pretty much choose whether to claim they have a decent World Cup pedigree or a 100 per cent qualification record!

Star man

Stamford Bridge misfit Mateja Kezman is the genuine star of the squad.  The 27-year-old failed to impress Jose Mourinho at Chelsea as he scored just seven goals last season from 11 starts and 20 substitute appearances.  However, the 'Special One' still managed to make a £300,000 profit when he offloaded Kezman to Atletico Madrid for £5.3 million last summer.  He has scored nine goals for Atletico this season.  Of more interest to Serbia and Montenegro were the five goals he scored during World Cup qualification, particularly the equaliser in the draw away in Spain.

Strengths

Football's answer to Peter Crouch - 6ft 8in striker Nikola Jigic.

A defence that conceded just one goal in qualification.

Weaknesses

An inexperienced squad.  The big-name Yugoslav players of the 1990s have mostly retired.

A group which will require something Houdini-esque to get out of.

Did you know

Serbia and Montenegro are actually two separate republics as of 2002 - that's a year before they started playing international football together.  Confusing?  You bet.  The CIA have all the inside information though.

Odds 100-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict

It's difficult to see anything but an early flight home for Serbia & Montenegro having finished bottom of Group C.  If their superb defence can shut out Argentina and the Netherlands they will have an outside chance, but they must win their game against the Ivory Coast which seems unlikely.  If they manage to get out of this group they deserve a trophy of their own anyway.

Rob Parker

Team Guides: NETHERLANDS

Well, who would have thought it?  Three-quarters of the way through Group C, and it seems like we have only just started.  Doesn't time fly?  Anyway, over to Joey from US sitcom Friends to introduce our next team guide: "See the Netherlands is this make believe place where Peter Pan and Tinkerbell come from."

NETHERLANDS, Group C

11 June vs SERBIA & MONTENEGRO (2pm*, Leipzig)
16 June vs IVORY COAST (5pm, Stuttgart)
21 June vs ARGENTINA (8pm, Frankfurt)
*all times BST

World Ranking 3

How they qualified
In style and undefeated.  The Netherlands topped their qualifying group ahead of the Czech Republic and Romania.  They conceded just three goals and scored 27.  Strangely the only games they failed to win were their two drawn games against Macedonia.

World Cup history
Arguably the greatest footballing nation never to lift the World Cup.  At the peak of 'total football' the Dutch finished as runners-up twice - 1974 and 1978 - but missed out on two great opportunities to win the competition.  The Netherlands have only qualified for seven World Cup finals.  They failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2002.

Star man
Anyone who saw Edwin van der Sar's early season form for Manchester United will know he can make all the difference to a below-par team.  You would struggle to find a more experienced goalkeeper to play behind Marco van Basten's young team, which is why he is so important to them.  His form has dipped a little as the season has worn on, but that is not to say he has not been performing well.  A giant in every sense of the word.

Strengths
An excellent pool of strikers including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dirk Kuijt, Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
A squad on a great run of form.

Weaknesses
A very young, inexperienced squad.
A tendancy to let bickering within the squad ruin their chances at major tournaments.

Did you know?
The Dutch government will not prosecute drug smugglers caught with less than three kilogrammes of cocaine.

Odds 11-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict
Marco van Basten is playing down the Netherlands' chances and he is probably correct to say that the World Cup has come a year or two too soon for his young squad.  On their current run of results though, those odds of 11-1 look quite tempting.  They should qualify for the second round, but will need to be at their best to beat Argentina and the Ivory Coast.  If they can maintain harmony in the squad, the Netherlands will have a great chance of making the semi-finals.  Winning the group would probably make life much easier for the knockout-stages.

Rob Parker

Team Guide: IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast - also known as Cote d'Ivoire and the official Premiership training academy - have qualified for their first ever World Cup finals.  And they were drawn in Group C, which means it's time for them to have the Bratwurst team guide treatment - perhaps an even greater honour than World Cup qualification.

IVORY COAST, Group C

10 June vs ARGENTINA (8pm*, Hamburg)
16 June vs NETHERLANDS (5pm, Stuttgart)
21 June vs SERBIA & MONTENEGRO (8pm, Munich)

*all times BST

World Ranking 32

How they qualified
Topped a tough qualifying group containing African giants Cameroon and Egypt.  Although they lost both matches against Cameroon, a draw away to Libya and wins in all their other matches were enough to book their place in Germany.  They scored 20 goals and conceded just seven in 10 matches.

World Cup history
None whatsoever.  This is the Ivory Coast's first World Cup qualification in eight attempts.

Star man
Nine of the 20 qualifying goals came courtesy of a chap by the name of Didier Drogba.  Drogba won't need too much of an introduction to followers of the Premiership.  He disappointed in his first season at Chelsea, and probably only kept his place at Stamford Bridge by being moderately better than fellow flop Mateja Kezman.  This season he has looked a better player, but is yet to really live up to his £24 million transfer fee.  The arrival of Andriy Shevchenko this summer would put more pressure on Drogba to deliver.  His diving antics have led to criticism from some, but will be sure to catch the eye of Jurgen Klinsmann this summer.

Strengths
Half of Arsenal's miserly Champions League defence in Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue.
A (probably) Premiership-bound strong central midfield pairing of Yaya Toure and Didier Zakora.

Weaknesses
Inexperience as a World Cup nation.
A very tough group containing Argentina and the Netherlands.

Did you know?
Kolo means 'follow of twins'.  The Arsenal defender has elder twin brothers, along with his younger midfielder brother Yaya and baby brother Ibrahim who plays up front.

Odds 80-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict

A possible group stage upset is on the cards in Group C.  Ivory Coast have got two big-name countries to have a crack at in the shape of Argentina and the Netherlands, and they could well pull off at least one shock result.  Remember Senegal beating France in 2002?  Anything beyond the group stage would be an enormous achievement for a squad built around a core of around six top quality players.

Rob Parker

Team Guide: ARGENTINA

With Argentina you just never know, do you? Beaten recently by England in a semi-meaningless friendly, they will be out for revenge when it matters – which could be in the semi-finals. The old guard have been ushered out and they have a talented young team. So don't cry for Argentina just yet…

ARGENTINA, Group C

10 June vs IVORY COAST (8pm*, Hamburg)
16 June vs SERBIA & MONTENEGRO (2pm, Gelsenkirchen)
21 June vs NETHERLANDS (8pm, Frankfurt)

*all times BST

World Ranking 8

How they qualified
Second in the in the South American qualifying league. They were level on points with Brazil, but finished as runners-up on goal difference. Qualification tailed off towards the end for the Argentines with three defeats in their last five games. A 3-1 victory over Brazil in between was enough to gloss over the defeats and secure qualification before the Brazilians though.

World Cup history
Where do you begin? Winners twice in 1978 and 1986, and runners-up a further two times in 1930 and 1990, but that doesn't tell half the story. Argentina have qualified for 13 World Cup finals and have only missed out once since 1958.

Star man

The young pretenders Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez are candidates, but in case any Argentinians are reading we had better go for Juan Roman Riquelme. If he is on his game then there is no contest, but he has been known to lack consistency. A big fish in the relatively small pond of Villareal, Riquelme is now known to everybody in England as the man who had his last minute penalty saved by Jens Lehmann in the Champions League semi-final. Riquelme revels in orchestrating play from the quarter-back position once adopted by David Beckham. The problem is that if he is not on top of his game then Argentina do not get a great deal done.

Strengths
An attacking partnership of Tevez and Hernan Crespo with Javier Saviola warming the bench should anyone get a case of the England metatarsals.
A World Cup pedigree which only Brazil, Germany and Italy can match.
A team full of players with excellent technique and passing ability.

Weaknesses
Despite the official party line that coach Jose Pekerman has steadied the ship, Argentina are actually on a poor run of results, with defeats to England and Croatia following qualification.
There are question marks over goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and no real alternatives.

Did you know?
At the Argentinian elections in 2001, 20 per cent of all votes cast were invalid. Sounds a bit dodgy.

Odds 15-2 (Blue Sq)

Verdict
Argentina should top the very dangerous Group C, but the Netherlands will provide tough competition while the Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro are certainly no pushovers. They need to halt their poor form, but painful memories of an early exit in 2002 should be incentive enough to avoid that. A nice-looking second round draw, probably against Mexico, could see Argentina well on their way. Possible winners.

Rob Parker

 

The Orange Revolution

Holland coach Marco van Basten has announced his 33-man provisional World Cup squad and has stuck to his 'out with the old and with the new' ideas.  Clarence Seedorf and Roy Makaay have both been left out in favour of some less familiar names.  Allow WaatB? to introduce you to some of the younger members of the Dutch squad.

Urby Emanuelson

One of the top names in world football, but that's enough about his moniker.  Emanuelson came through the esteemed Ajax youth ranks and will only celebrate his 20th birthday on the day of Holland's second group match against the Ivory Coast.  He has become a regular in the Ajax team this season after making his debut last term. He usually plays at left-back, but can play on the left of midfield.  He is very good going forward but some question marks remain over his defending.

Ryan Babel

Another Ajax youngster to make van Basten's squad is 19-year-old striker Ryan Babel.  Babel has made similar progress to Emanuelson and has also become a first-team regular this season.  He became Holland's youngest Post-War goalscorer when he found the net on his international debut against Romania in March last year.  Inter Milan are reported to be interested but Ajax have already rejected a bid from Fiorentina as they want to build a team around their latest crop of young players.  Here he is doing his thang.  

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Yet another Ajax player, although De Graafschap can take the credit for Huntelaar's football education.  From there he joined PSV Eindhoven.  He then moved on to Heerenveen in 2004 and made a £6.2 million move to Ajax earlier this year.  He is the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, but is yet to play for his country.  Despite this the  23-year-old is widely expected to make van Basten's final 23.  Huntelaar is a striker in the Fernando Morientes mould, but is finding goals much easier to come by than the Liverpool striker at the moment.

Roman Castelen

If you trawl through your memory you might vaguely Roman Castelen.  He was one of the more exciting aspects of England's dull 0-0 draw with Holland at Villa Park last February.  The 22-year-old winger was also linked with a move to Manchester City earlier this season as Shaun Wright Phillips's replacement.  The pacy Surinam-born wideman also gets his fair share of goals for Feyenoord and displays his poachers instincts in this video.

Hedwiges Maduro

Hedwiges Maduro was the captain of Holland's promising team at the World Youth Championships last year.  The 21-year-old midfielder made his international debut in the match against Romania along with Babel just a month after making his first-team debut for Ajax.  Maduro is described as a skillful, intelligent playmaker and was picked out as the cream of the crop of youth players by Ajax when he received the club's best emerging talent award in 2004. 

Remember Van Basten also has better known young players such as Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie and Nigel de Jong to call upon. Find the full preliminary Holland squad here.

Rob Parker

Loadsa Reffin' Money!

There aren't many good referees about are there? I quite liked Paul Durkin, but he's retired. I really don't like Mike Riley. Thankfully, he's not going to the World Cup finals.

The lucky sods that are taking part are going to be smiling. It's more than mere prestige I can tell you.

You see, the World Cup refs have been given a 100% pay rise, which will see them earn £22,500 each!

The total refereeing bill for the month-long tournament will top £2,250,000, the Daily Mirror said yesterday.

There will be twenty three refs officiating the 64 World Cup matches, and their assistants will be paid the same amount. Bloody Nora!

Refs got £11,250 for the finals in Japan and South Korea four years ago, and of course, there wasn't a dodgy decision in sight... apart from the really ropey ones that saw Spain bow out to the hosts. And loads of others.

Still, FIFA love them and have thought it a good idea to give them an even greater (self inflated) opinion of themselves.

Keep an eye out for Russian linesmen.

One to watch: Carlos Tevez, Argentina

Carlos Alberto Tevez is a little monster, and arguably the best player to play his club football outside of Europe. The 22-year-old Argentine currently plays in Brazil, for Corinthians, which explains why you may not have heard much about him. After this World Cup, that will all change.

In his brief career Tevez has already been linked with lucrative moves to Bayern Munich, Man Utd, Chelsea and Inter Milan, but so far he has stayed put. If he has a good World Cup, though, Tevez will surely find it impossible to resist a big-money offer to Spain, Italy or England.

He was once hailed, inevitably, as the new Maradona, but Tevez is a different animal. Whilst they share a lack of inches (Tevez is 5ft 7in to Maradona's 5ft 6in), Tevez is faster and physically stronger than Maradona, and more of a predatory goalscorer: Tevez was top scorer at the 2004 Athens Olympics, when Argentina won football's gold medal. He doesn't have Maradona's skill (who does?) but he still has enough tricks to unsettle most defenders. Here's a YouTube compilation of Tevez in action, so you can judge for yourself.

I can't wait to see Tevez and Lionel Messi play together - with two of the best young players in the world in attack, Argentina stands a great chance of winning in Germany. They are my second favourites for the title, after Brazil.

Kit Parade: Holland

Windmills, drug cafes, bicycles, dams, tulips, window-shopping for prostitutes, Van Gogh… a handy bullet-point guide to stereotyping the Dutch. But when I think of Holland, I think instead of the colour orange…

Nike is clearly on a big retro tip with its 2006 World Cup kits. The Dutch home strip, as sported here by Ruud van Nistelrooy, looks like it could have come straight from the 1950s. Must be something to do with the big crest – Nike's kit for the USA also has a Texas-sized badge. Interesting, too, to see Holland wearing blue socks (mirroring its national flag, I guess). Overall, I think it looks great. Ruud needs to cheer up a bit, though. Maybe he's just caught sight of Louis Saha.

One to Watch: Emmanuel Eboue, Ivory Coast

In the build-up to the World Cup, Who ate all the Bratwurst? will profile some of the hottest young talents who are set to make a major impression in Germany. Where better to start, given last night's stunning performance against Juventus, than with Emmanual Eboue…

Arsenal's second-choice right-back has proved a revelation since coming in for the injured Lauren. I watched him closely in the two Champions League games against Real Madrid and he was immense, particularly for a 22 year old. He was equally good against Juventus last night. Someone must have removed most of his major organs at birth and replaced them with a freakishly large pair of lungs, because his energy levels are awesome.

In many ways Eboue is the perfect modern full-back. He's comfortable on the ball, defends well when he has to, and loves to gallop down the wing (at a sprinter's pace) and cut in on the right edge of the opponents' box. The form of Eboue and compatriot Kolo Toure (also immense against Madrid and Juve) is key to the Ivory Coast's chances of escaping the perilous Group C, which also contains Argentina, Holland and Serbia & Montenegro.