Who Ate All The Bratwurst

5 Conclusions: Italy v France

1 Congratulations to Italy. Not the strongest squad in the tournament on paper, but when you think of the consistently outstanding performers of Germany 2006, you think Buffon, Cannavaro, Gattuso, Pirlo and Grosso.

2 I'm not sure if the best header of the game was Marco Materazzi's goal or the one Zinedine Zidane landed on him. See, Wayne, it can happen to the best of them!

3 Thierry Henry was unlucky to be on the losing side. He again showed that he can perform on the big occasions.

4 Marco Materazzi (pictured) should sack his tattoo artist.

5 There could be a rush later today for Europe's top clubs to snap up their very own Italian Serie C World Cup winner.

Rob Parker

World Cup Final preview: Italy v France

ITALY V FRANCE
Berlin, 7pm BST (BBC1 and ITV1)

All those qualifying matches around the globe, those 2pm kick-off group games we live blogged for you and those nervy knockout matches all boil down to one match between two European neighbours with plenty of World Cup history. Italy and France have both improved as the tournament has progressed, but I think Italy will edge it because of their defensive quality. The Italian team is built on a solid defence which has conceded just once so far this tournament. France have weak links in left-back Eric Abidal and the ever eccentric Fabien Barthez.

Team news Alessandro Nesta is still not fit to play, so the impressive Marco Materazzi will continue in his place. Daniele De Rossi is back from his four match ban, but is unlikely to regain his starting place at this late stage in the tournament. Louis Saha is suspended for France, but they would have been unlikely to use him anyway after his poor showing as a substitute in the semi-final against Portugal.

Prediction Italy 2-1 France

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Portugal v France

1 I was shocked at the crowd reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo - the boos were louder than if he had done something wrong in the match he was playing in. Have France suddenly got some sympathy for Rooney and England?!

2 Portugal were not a semi-final outfit. It would have been more interesting to see Holland progress from their second round match.

3 Fabien Barthez and Pauleta should have swapped sides. Barthez had more chance of scoring than Pauleta, and the hopeless striker would make a better keeper than Barthez (although most people would!).

4 Tactical genius Big Phil Scolari for some reason thinks the last 20 minutes of World Cup knockout games is the time to blood Ronaldo as a striker.

5 Some of the Portuguese dives were absolutely ridiculous. When the dives are as blatant as Postiga and Ronaldo's in the dying minutes they should receive red cards, never mind yellow.

Rob Parker

Semi-final preview: Portugal v France

PORTUGAL V FRANCE
Munich, 8pm BST (BBC1)

It could have been England (sigh!). Portugal are obviously not in Germany to make friends so presumably they would like to win the trophy. France were nearly knocked out in the group stages, but scraped through to claim the scalps of Spain and Brazil. Both sides are built around ageing stars.

Team News Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo are both injury doubts for Big Phil Scolari and Armando Petit is suspended. Ball-headed Deco and Costinha are back from bans though. France are likely to retain the eleven that started their last two matches, five of whom would miss the final if they picked up a booking.

Prediction Portugal 0-2 France

Rob Parker

Zinedine Zidane - genius at work

Zinedine Zidane's performance against Brazil last night was arguably the finest individual display we have seen at Germany 2006 to date. Sit back and enjoy this compilation of the skills on show. A man truly at the top of his game when it mattered.

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Brazil v France

1 All the pundits said performances in the group stage didn't matter as long as you turn it on in the knockout rounds. It is quite true, but sadly France took the initiative and not England.

2 What a performance from Zinedine Zidane. He seemed to have hunted out his old magnetic boots from the late 1990s. A scintillating display.

3 Germany 2006 is obviously not a tournament to be named as a favourite in. Argentina, England and now Brazil. How will Germany cope now they are no longer underdogs?

4 We have quite rightly had a moan about England's big-name players not finding their feet in the tournament, but Ronaldinho, Kaka (30 minutes against Croatia excluded) and Adriano have been off-form for Brazil.

5 Anyone who put money on France to win the tournament after the South Korea game must be getting pretty excited!

Rob Parker

5 Conclusions: Switzerland v Ukraine

1 Consensus yesterday was that the World Cup is spoilt by farcical games such as Holland v Portugal, but at least that was entertaining. Switzerland v Ukraine was not.

2 Referee Benito Archundia Tellez must have received a personal FIFA directive to keep his cards in his pocket this evening. He ignored a couple of challenges warranted cards.

3 Switzerland got exactly what they deserved - so defensive they couldn't even score from the penalty spot.

4 Leonardo's softly-spoken voice has suddenly gone so deep, quiet and Brazilian that I can't tell what he is saying in the BBC studio anymore.

5 At least Italy are not as defensive as they once were. Italy v Ukraine should make an interesting quarter-final.

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 15 preview & predictions

Just four games left in Germay 06's group stage. You'll miss it when it's gone.

3pm Saudi Arabia v Spain, Group H, Kaiserslautern (BBC Interactive)
3pm Ukraine v Tunisia, Group H, Berlin (BBC1)
8pm Togo v France, Group G, Cologne (BBC1)
8pm Switzerland v South Korea, Group G, Hanover (BBC3)

click below for full preview & predictions…

Day 15 preview & predictions cont…

3pm Saudi Arabia v Spain, Group H, Kaiserslautern (BBC Interactive)

Spain have already qualified for the last 16 and they'll probably top Group H, unless they lose to the Saudis and Ukraine thumps Tunisia. Doubtful. The Saudis need to win this game and hope that Ukraine v Tunisia is a draw. On previous form, there's about as much chance of that happening as Ronaldo breaking into a run.
Player cam: This game is the ideal opportunity for Fernando Torres and David Villa to overtake Miroslav Klose in the Golden Boot running. Spain should be much too strong for their Middle Eastern opponents.
Prediction: Saudi Arabia 0 – 2 Spain

* * * * *

3pm Ukraine v Tunisia, Group H, Berlin (BBC1)

Who comes back from the dead after a 4-0 hammering in its opening World Cup match? Well, a team with Saudi Arabia and Tunisia to face, that's who. Ukraine can count themselves lucky that they're in such an easy group. As long as the Saudis don't beat Spain, Ukraine will go through with a win or a draw. If Tunisia beats Ukraine and Spain beats the Saudis, they will go through – there's a lot riding on this for both teams.
Player cam: Vladyslav Vashchyuk is back for Ukraine after a suspension.
Prediction: Ukraine 1 – 1 Tunisia

* * * * *

8pm Togo v France, Group G, Cologne (BBC1)

France won't have an easier game in which to try and find some form. Togo are already out and will surely find it hard to motivate themselves for this match. Zinedine Zidane is suspended after two yellow cards, which means Frank Ribery will probably come in to the starting XI. Jean-Paul Abalo returns for Togo.
Player cam: Can't understand why the in-form Louis Saha hasn't played more for France. I hope Domenech has the balls to start him today, rather than the overrated Trezeguet.
Prediction: Togo 0 – 5 France

* * * * *

8pm Switzerland v South Korea, Group G, Hanover (BBC3)

A draw with Korea is enough for Switzerland to qualify. If France fail to beat Togo, both Switzerland and South Korea qualify for the last 16. If France beat Togo by at least two goals and South Korea don't beat the Swiss, the Koreans are eliminated. If France beat Togo by a one goal margin and South Korea draw with Switzerland, the tiebreaker 'goals scored' becomes decisive for France and South Korea. Got that? (I haven't…)
Player cam: Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetto has really impressed me so far.
Prediction: Switzerland 1 – 1 South Korea

LIVE BLOG: Togo 0 – 2 Switzerland

For those of you stuck in an office or simply unable to get access to a TV or radio, Bratwurst is live blogging Togo v Switzerland. Click below to access the Live Blog (don't forget to click refresh on your browser to update the coverage)…

LIVE BLOG: Togo v Switzerland, Group G, Dortmund

Welcome to the Togo v Switzerland Live Blog. Glad to say Togo has turned up!

1min Perfect conditions for football. Bit of rain earlier, overcast and much cooler than it has been. Togo all in green, Switzerland in red/white… lively start by Togo, than Agboh fouls Gygax. No card shown though.

4min Togo flying into tackles… decent long-range shot by Cabanas, saved comfortably by Togo's keeper… Swiss seeing more of the ball, especially down their right-hand side… Johann Vogel takes a shot, but it's way off target… Mo Kader bursts through on to an Adebayor header but Kader shoots straight at the keeper. A wasted chance.

8min Togo certainly seem up for this… good cross from the Swiss down the right wing, but Alex Frei's looping header is easily saved. Several chances already, very open game. BBC's Mark 'not too' Bright talks some nonsense about Togo's players being in the 'shop window'.

11min Adebayor forces his way into the box and then heads wide. The Arsenal man then has a moan at the ref, complaining he was held back. No penalty though… up the other end, the Swiss have a corner… Togo clear it easily. 'Sloppy from the Swiss,' says Brighty.

13min Togo defending deep, happy to let the Swiss pass it about in front of them. Another corner to the Swiss… the ball is punched off the top of the incoming Senderos's head by Agassa, Togo's keeper. Maybe the Swiss have underestimated Togo, ponders Brighty.

15min Togo coach Otto Pfister is married to a Swiss lady, we are informed. Fascinating stuff. Mo Kader takes a shot at goal, but it's straight at the keeper again.

17min GOAL! Togo 0-1 Switzerland Alexander Frei lashes the ball into the net from close range after Barnetta's clever ball inside the box. Against the run of play really.

19min Kader through on goal with just the keeper to beat, but called offside. Togo up against it now.

20min Why did I take Frei out of my fantasy team? Bloody typical… Togo haven't seen much of the ball since going a goal down. Swiss look full of confidence.

22min My girlfriend has fallen asleep on the sofa beside me. The game's not that bad, surely… must type quietly now…

24min Agboh taken off, replaced by Saliphou for Togo. A tactical change apparently, but Togo clearly have no tactics, so bit of a mysterious substitution.

26min Adebayor tries to pick out Kader from the right wing with one of those fancy 'rebona' kicks (kicking foot crosses over behind your standing foot) that Joe Cole likes to use every now and again. Cocky sod.

29min Game going through a quiet spell. Girlfriend still asleep… ball lashed wide by Togo's Dossevi after a mistake by Phillipe Senderos – not his first mistake either. Togo should have scored there.

31min Great cross in from a free-kick on the left by Togo but no one can get a head to it and it goes behind for a goal-kick.

35min Switzerland very tough to break down. The French couldn't do it, so it's unreasonable to expect Togo to equalise. We'll see… Adebayor certainly looks lively… he tumbles in the box, tripped by Patrick Muller. Looked like a penalty to me, but not given – Adebayor incredulous, Otto Pfister enraged.

37min Massive scramble in the Swiss box, desperate Swiss defending and they get it clear in the end. Switzerland 'playing themselves into trouble' moans Brighty.

39min Togo was a German colony, the BBC commentator tells us. So what? Why do TV commentators insist on trying to impress with history lessons and boring stats. The radio boys have it right… just say what you see.

41min Cherif-Toure lets fly from 30 yards for Togo. Powerful shot but too close to Zuberbuhler, the giant Swiss keeper.

44min Togo on the attack again. Swiss already look content to sit back, defend and pick up a 1-0 win. Negative outlook, but understandable given yesterday's France v Korea result. A win would put the Swiss in the driving seat in Group G… crunching tackle by Salifou on Barnetta, resulting in a yellow card for Salifou. One added minute to play before half-time…

45+1min HALF-TIME Togo 0-1 Switzerland Back in 15 mins… time for a cuppa and a nice custard cream. Mmm.

46min Hakan Yakin on for the injured Daniel Gygax. Yakin plays for Young Boys of Bern. Tremendous.

47min Adebayor spitting feathers again. He thought Arsenal team-mate Senderos fouled him but it looked a 50-50 challenge for an aerial ball.

50min Mark Bright has a pop at the Swiss keeper, who's down in the box afer a nudge in the back by Nibombe… Get up! says Brighty… Barnetta's fierce strike stings the palms of Agassa, who makes a good save. The resulting corner leads to nothing though.

53min Yellow card for Togo's Alaixys Romao. He'll miss the France game now… great shot by Yakin almost goes in the top-right corner. Didn't miss by much.

55min Weather update! It's started to rain in Dortmund but there's still plenty of sunshine on the pitch. Crazy German climate!

57min Big sweat patches on Otto Pfister's bright pink shirt. That'll need to go to the dry cleaners Otto… Switzerland just want a 1-0 win here. C'mon Togo!

60min Neutrals in the crowd getting behind Togo now. Like a couple of the other African teams (Ivory Coast and Angola), they lack composure in the final third of the pitch.

62min Salifou's speculative half-volley slices just wide… Kader fouled by Senderos (not having a great game)… Togo's build-up is decent but then they give the ball away on the edge of the box. Frustrating.

64min Agassa makes a very sharp save from Yakin's shot inside the penalty area. Agassa looks a decent keeper on this evidence… Adebayor off on another run. He's been pretty impressive today, although his final ball has been rubbish.

67min Corner to Togo, overhit though. 'Such a waste,' says Brighty. I feel your pain Brighty.

69min French-born winger Thomas Dossevi replaced by Junior Senaya.

71min Yakin, the 'playboy of Swiss football', tries to stir the Swiss fans with a few hand gestures as he trots over to take a corner… Agassa plucks another Yakin corner from the air with an impressive dive… then an overhead kick by Yakin fails to hit the target but excites the crowd.

74min Free-kick to Togo on right edge of Swiss penalty area. Danger here? Yakin clears with a header but Togo on the attack again. The Swiss will pay for this negative play if they're not careful.

77min Swiss substitution: Cabanas off, Marco Streller on… Yakin will drop back into midfield now.

79min Togo's Kader caught offside (again) but replay shows he was level. He missed the target with his header anyway.

81min Alex Frei almost catches Agassa cold with a lob shot struck from near the half-way line. Ball just goes over the bar. Cheeky.

83min Ball nearly falls to Kader in the Swiss box but a Swiss boot hacks it clear. Lucky for the Europeans that the Africans have no cutting edge in front of goal.

86min Corner to Togo. If they don't score in the final five minutes, they're out of the World Cup. Swiss keeper deals with a Togolese player's header comfortably. Goalscorer Frei taken off, Mauro Lustrinelli on in his place.

89min GOOOOAAAAALLLL! Togo 0-2 Switzerland Tranquillo Barnetta's raking right-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area creeps in off Agassa's right-hand post. Game over, Togo are out.

90+1min Salifou almost grabs a consolation goal but his effort is tipped over by the Swiss keeper. The big question now is: will Togo turn up to play France? I have my doubts…

90+2min FULL-TIME Togo 0-2 Switzerland An efficient performance by the Swiss, who now top Group G. Togo didn't have quality to really trouble them.

Thanks for watching with us!

Germany 2006: Day 11 preview & predictions

Perhaps not the most exciting day on paper, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing Spain in action again. Still not sure if Togo are going to turn up, the crazy mavericks…

2pm Togo v Switzerland, Group G, Dortmund (BBC, Live Blog on Bratwurst)
5pm Saudi Arabia v Ukraine, Group H, Hamburg (ITV)
8pm Spain v Tunisia, Group H, Stuttgart (BBC)

Click below to read the full preview & predictions

Germany 2006: Day 11 preview & predictions cont…

2pm Togo v Switzerland, Group G, Dortmund (BBC, Live Blog on Bratwurst)

Togo's players, still sqabbling over bonus money, threatened to boycott this match but Fifa had a quiet word in their ear: 'If you boycott this match, you'll be ejected from Fifa and never play in a World Cup again'. Or something like that. Anyway, it looks like the match will go ahead now. Can't see how a team in such disarray can hope to compete against the well-drilled Swiss, but in football you never know. This is the first time the two nations have played each other, btw.
Player cam: Swiss hotshot Alexander Frei should add his name to the list of Germany '06 goalscorers this afternoon.
Prediction: Switzerland 3 – 0 Togo

* * * * *

5pm Saudi Arabia v Ukraine, Group H, Hamburg (ITV)

Another game with no previous: this is the first ever Saudi v Ukraine match. Bit of a coin toss as to who'll win, but Ukraine can't be as bad as they were against Spain and should have too much quality for their opponents. Saudi skipper Sami Al Jaber, who scored in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia, has shaken off a thigh injury and will play. Ukraine are without suspended defender Vladyslav Vashchuk, who was sent off in their 4-0 loss to Spain.
Player cam: Will we see another disillusioned/isolated Shevchenko? I doubt it.
Prediction: Saudi Arabia 1 – 2 Ukraine

* * * * *

8pm Spain v Tunisia, Group H, Stuttgart (BBC)

Spain are the second-best team (behind Argentina) at Germany '06… so far. They strolled through the toughest match in their group, and it would appear that complacency is the biggest danger to Torres, Villa and co, who are now unbeaten in 23 games. And guess what – these nations have never met before either! A day for new rivalries to be forged.
Player cam: Spain' s David Villa is the surprise new favourite to be the tournament's Golden Boot. He has a great chance to strengthen that position today.
Prediction: Spain 2 – 0 Tunisia

5 Conclusions: France vs South Korea

1 Despite the BBC telling us France were 'back' for 75 minutes, it was obvious that they weren't… and aren't.
2 The South Korean fans will have fun regardless of the match. They make an effort, sing for 90 minutes and are surely what the World Cup is all about.
3 Wasted chances cost France the game. They shouldn't have to rely on Vieira's disallowed goal.
4 The coverage had far too many close-ups of the match ball.
5 It may be the last time we see Zizou in a France shirt if they go out in the next match.

Mof Gimmers

Medallion man look is Staying Alive thanks to Togo coach Otto Pfister

If you thought Otto Pfister looks so fed up because Togo lost their game against South Korea after taking the lead, you are wrong. It is because he should be dancing (yeah!). We have seen some unusual attire from coaches in the German sunshine so far this tournament, but Pfister is the first one to turn up looking like an extra from Saturday Night Fever: The Geriatric Years. Open collar and gold chain showing - a timeless look! Go for it, Sven!

Rob Parker

Virtual World Cup: France 2 – 0 Switzerland

In the real world, we got a 0-0 bore draw – the worst game of the tournament so far, no question; in the virtual world of Pro Evolution Soccer 5, Zinedine Zidane struck twice, once in each half, to give France an easy victory. Alex Frei's red card early in the game doomed the Swiss.

Virtual World Cup: South Korea 0 – 1 Togo

A very, very dodgy penalty decision (it was never a foul ref!) saw World Cup debutants Togo run out 1-0 winners in the first of Group G's match-ups. That said, South Korea played like a bag of arse. They hardly had a shot on goal and blatantly didn't deserve to win.

South Korea v Togo: LIVE BLOG @ 2pm

It is the match you have all been waiting for, but the day has finally arrived. South Korea and Togo meet today, and we will be doing a live blog on all the action. If you are at work and can't see a TV or if you just want some comment and banter as the match progresses then join us at 2pm.

Rob Parker

One to Watch: Franck Ribery, France

Franck Ribery is the man with the dubious honour of following in the footsteps of Zinedine Zidane. That feat sounds impossible enough without Zizou still playing in the same national side as you. Expect Ribery to step up to the challenge in Germany though.

Don't be fooled by the fact that he looks about 45 and distincly like a Bond villain, Ribery is in fact only 23 years old. He had followed a traditional career path of gradually moving up the divisions in France before being loaned out to Galatasaray last year from FC Metz. On his return he secured his big move to Marseille.

One to Watch: Franck Ribery, France continued

An even bigger move could now be on the cards, with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur tracking Ribery. He caught the eye in Marseille's Uefa Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers with his electric pace, great ball-control and precision passing.

Ribery is rumoured to have secured his place in France's starting line-up for the World Cup. With Zidane past his best, it could be Ribery's chance to shine. Expect him to give Togolese defenders plenty to worry about.

Here he is in action:

Rob Parker

In another life... Franck Ribery would be an evil James Bond villain

We have already established that Andriy Shevchenko would make an excellent Bond villain's henchman, so who better to be the man he would call 'Boss' than France's Franck Ribery. The scar-faced Marseille winger would make a terrific Bond villain in the mould of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Ribery picked up the obligatory Bond villain scars from a childhood car accident. Now all he needs is a white cat to stroke. Expect him to establish himself on the word stage in Germany. In fact, I might just have hatched a plan to do a Bratwurst Player To Watch profile on Ribery (evil laugh to fade).

Rob Parker

GROUP G: The Verdict

When Group G was first drawn, I thought France had it easy. Now I'm not so sure. South Korea, Switzerland and Togo are all decent sides. Click below to see how we think the group will work out…

GROUP G: HOW THEY'LL FINISH

1st France Just got a feeling that France will dominate this group but go no further than the quarters.

2nd Switzerland A very well-organised team, as they showed against Italy this week. Won't score too many but will probably concede even less.

3rd South Korea Struggled to qualify from an easy group and won't reproduce their home form from 2002.

4th Togo Will need Arsenal's Adebayor to lead the way with inspirational performances. Otherwise they'll really struggle.

So France and Switzerland make it to the second round from Group G, where they join Germany and Poland from Group A, England and Sweden from Group B, Argentina and Holland from Group C, Portugal and Mexico from Group D, the USA and Ghana from Group E and Brazil and Croatia from Group F.

Keep posted for the first of our Group H team guides, starting on Monday.

Here's how the bookies (Blue Square) see Group G:

France 4-9
Switzerland 7-2
South Korea 6-1
Togo 16-1

Don't disagree with that. Switzerland are definitely worth a bet at 7-2 - they could easily draw with France (or better) and win their other two matches.

Team Guide: TOGO

There will be few nations having a run-up to the World Cup like Togo. A coach who barely knows the team, arriving in Germany almost a month before their first match and a bout of chicken-pox for good measure. After reading the Bratwurst team guide we will now if they have a chance of pulling off an upset.

TOGO, Group G

13 June vs SOUTH KOREA (2pm*, Frankfurt)
19 June vs SWITZERLAND (2pm, Dortmund)
23 June vs FRANCE (8pm, Cologne)
*all times BST

World Ranking 61

How they qualified
Hijacked Senegal's route to the World Cup by finishing two points ahead of them in their African qualifying group. The home win and away draw against Senegal proved decisive. The campaign had started with a defeat to Equatorial Guinea (home of Olympic swimmer Eric the Eel) but this proved to be their only defeat of the campaign.

World Cup history
Unsurprisingly non-existent.

Star man
Arsenal's January signing Emmanuel Adebayor has already established himself as Togo's best ever player despite being just 21 years old. He has scored 12 goals in 28 games for Togo, 11 of which came in World Cup qualification, making him Africa's leading marksman ahead of the likes of Didier Drogba and Obafemi Martins. The 6ft 2in striker has managed four goals in 13 outings for the Gunners since his £7 million move from Monaco. Adebayor is strong in the air and quick across the ground. Togo's hopes of causing any sort of an upset rely almost entirely on him.

Strengths
Adebayor.
They have absolutely nothing to lose.
Goalkeeper Kossi Agassa of Metz is rated highly.

Weaknesses
A lack of quality players and a lack of experience.
Were below par at the African Cup of Nations.
Coach Otto Pfister picked the squad without having seen many of them play.

Did you know?

According to some sources Togo has the lowest crime rate in the world (it's very low even if it isn't the lowest).

Odds 750-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict

Most teams would be delighted if you told them they would be away at the World Cup for six weeks as they would probably have reached the final. Unfortunately for Togo it is the time-span of a first round exit. One-man teams can succeed at the World Cup (Maradona's Argentina of 1986, for example) but there is a lot of weight on the young shoulders of Adebayor. He will be a constant threat though and could help Togo to pull off a shock win if the defence can keep their concentration. Second round qualification is not on the cards though.

Rob Parker

Team Guide: SWITZERLAND

Switzerland - land of ridiculously high gun crime, dodgy bank accounts and the St Bernard's dog. But how will they fair at the World Cup? They are always a safe bet for the neutral anyway. Click below to read their Bratwurst team guide.

SWITZERLAND, Group G

13 June vs FRANCE (5pm*, Stuttgart)

18 June vs TOGO (2pm, Dortmund)

23 June vs SOUTH KOREA (8pm, Hanover)

*all time BST

World Ranking 35

How they qualified

In the most controversial circumstances of all the qualifiers. Switzerland qualified on away goals after a 4-4 play-off result against Turkey. The result and Switzerland's qualification ended up being a footnote to the violence that followed the match. Click here to see it kicking off. By that stage everyone had forgotten that Switzerland finished unbeaten behind France in their qualifying group, pipping Israel to second spot on goal difference.

World Cup history

This is their eighth World Cup, but they had not qualified since 1994 and before that since 1966. They have never got past the quarter finals.

Star man

Alexander Frei, who you will probably remember best for spitting on Steven Gerrard during Euro 2004. Frei is a natural goalscorer who scores more than a goal every other game for his country. His absence would arguably be worse for Switzerland than the loss of Rooney for England. Switzerland have some young strikers in the squad, but Frei is the man with the proven track record. Frei now plays for Stade Rennes and was the top goalscorer in the French First Division last season. He has struggled with form and injuries for his club this season but has been consistent for country.

Strengths

An exciting and talented young squad including Arsenal duo Phillipe Senderos and Johan Djourou.

Have not got far to travel, especially compared to group-mates Togo and South Korea.

Weaknesses

A lack of top level experience among the young squad.

Do not have a world class goalkeeper.

Did you know?

Apparently it is illegal to mow your learn while dressed as Elvis in Switzerland.

Odds 100-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict

There is a club side in Switzerland called Young Boys, and perhaps the national side should adopt the name. There is no doubt that a talented generation are filtering through after success at Under-17 and Under-21 levels, but Germany 2006 might be a bit too soon for them. Group G is another group where the last match will probably settle the second qualifier from the group. Switzerland might have the brighter future, but South Korea have the World Cup experience and might just edge it. It could go either way though.

Rob Parker

Team Guide: SOUTH KOREA

South Korea or Korea Republic - it makes no difference to us. They are next in Group G alphabetically either way, which means it is Bratwurst team guide time. Hooray!

SOUTH KOREA, Group G

13 June vs TOGO (2pm*, Frankfurt)
18 June vs FRANCE (8pm, Leipzig)
23 June vs SWITZERLAND (8pm, Hanover)
*all times BST

World Ranking 29

How they qualified
Far from convincingly. Drew matches against Lebanon and the Maldives in the first stage of qualifying. In the second group stage they finished behind Saudi Arabia after losing to them home and away. They still had enough to see off Uzbekistan and Kuwait, despite a draw against Uzbekistan.

World Cup history
Germany 2006 is South Korea's seventh consecutive World Cup and their eighth in total. They first qualified in 1954. The highlight of course was in 2002 when they reached the semi-final as hosts.

Star man
Manchester United's head of replica shirt sales Park Ji-Sung. In fairness Park has actually made a contribution to United's season and his signing was not as blatant a marketing ploy as some other Far Eastern imports. The tricky winger made 33 appearances in the Premier League this season. Park can play anywhere across midfield and is full of running wherever he plays. Still only 25 years old, the former PSV Eindhoven player has 59 international caps to his name. South Korea will need Park at his best to ensure they edge out Switzerland in Group G.

Strengths
Plenty of attacking pace.
A hard-working, youthful squad.

Weaknesses
Unlikely to have the same impact as they did on home-soil.
Their experienced back four of 2002 are now residing in an old defenders' home.
They have lost the magic touch of Guus Hiddink, although they have gone Dutch again with Dick Advocaat.

Did you know?
South Korea are the undoubted Kings of Blog. National news site Oh My News is an enormous blog. Click here for an interesting article on World Cup ticketing.

Odds 200-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict
Another semi-final spot is not on the agenda. Unless they drastically improve their qualifying form, South Korea will be little more than first-round fodder. The bookies favour Switzerland to take the second spot in Group G, but if South Korea play to their potential they might have something to say about that. If they do squeeze through do not expect them to progress much further.

Rob Parker

Team Guide: FRANCE

And so we begin our penultimate batch of freshly oven-baked Bratwurst team guides. Here is the first Group G guide - be careful it is still piping hot. Click below to see if France are in with a chance.

FRANCE, Group G

13 June vs SWITZERLAND (5pm*, Stuttgart)
18 June vs SOUTH KOREA (8pm, Leipzig)
23 June vs TOGO (8pm, Cologne)
*all times BST

World Ranking 8

How they qualified
Not in the form of possible winners. Topped their qualifying group, but with the lowest points haul of any European group winner. They still qualified unbeaten but won just five games, drawing the other five. Home draws against the Republic of Ireland and Israel were most worrying.

World Cup history
Despite participating in every World Cup, France were serial under-achievers until everything clicked into place on home-soil in 1998.

Star man
Good old Tel of course. Thierry Henry stands head and shoulders above the rest of the France squad on current form. He missed out on the final in 1998 (though he kicked every ball from the touchline) and 2002 was a well-documented disaster. Nobody will be pushing harder for a France victory than their self-confessed angry man. The lack of service to Henry was a major cause of France's downfall in 2002 and will need to be addressed if they are to avoid disappointment. Henry is still yet to fully shake off his tag as a player who freezes on big occasions. He is capable of doing things like this though.

Strengths
The younger members of the World Cup-winning squad now provide a core to the team.
A group of strikers who will always find a goal between them in Henry, David Trezeguet, Louis Saha, Djibril Cisse and Sylvain Wiltord.

Weaknesses
Too many players in the squad who would not have had a sniff of a call-up in 1998.
Some of the older players are a little past their best.

Did you know?
It is easy to follow the World Cup if you are a French football fan. Every worker in France is legally entitled to a minimum of five weeks annual holiday.

Odds 11-1 (Blue Sq)

Verdict
It would have been interesting to see France in one of the more competitive groups. If they manage not to qualify from Group G then they have serious problems. Neither Switzerland, South Korea nor Togo should pose too many problems if they play to their ability, but any below-par performances will see the Swiss and Koreans in particular ready to pounce. And any side playing against Jean Alain Boumsong is always in with a shout. It is easy to see France sneaking to the quarter-finals relatively untroubled, but anything beyond that would take something special.

Rob Parker

Togo players will be axed if they talk to journalists from South Korea

The Togo World Cup squad have been warned they will be dropped if they talk to journalists from group opponents South Korea. Midfielder Junior Senaya claimed slightly loopy coach Otto Pfister (pictured) has also told the players not to talk to people claiming to be Chinese or Japanese in case they are in fact Korean! (Via Togo Daily)

Rob Parker

Kit Parade: France

I'm getting a bit of a 1980s vibe from adidas's new France kit. I like it though. If you like it as much as me, then you can order it online from Kitbag. An extra tenner and you can have Cantona 7 or Zidane 10 or Henry 14 printed on the back.

Bus-kissing Togo arrive in Germany and are raring to go

While the England boys are sunning themselves in Portugal, poor old Togo (like that person you know who always turns up too early for parties) are in Germany waiting for everyone else to arrive. They might have actually got there before Germany. One player (pictured) kissed the team coach decked out in Togolese colours as they arrived.

Now they have arrived, Togo have what is presumably intended to be a morale-boosting warm-up programme against a Bavarian regional XI, Costa Rica or Bayern Munich Reserves, Liechtenstein and another regional side.

Rob Parker

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…

Cheeky Chimbonda named in France World Cup squad

Pascal Chimbonda is the surprise name in the France World Cup squad. The uncapped Wigan full-back was called up by Raymond Domenech today for the final 23-man squad. Chimbonda has earned rave-reviews for his performances in the Premier League, but it all seems to have gone to his head. He handed in a written transfer request in the dressing room minutes after Wigan's final game of the season.

Maybe he should watch this video a few times to get his feet back on the ground:

Click here to see the full squad.

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.

Kit Parade: South Korea

South Korea's nickname is the 'Red Devils' (hmm, isn't that already taken?) but I'm sure there's a hint of fuschia in its World Cup home shirt. It's not properly red, is it? Someone has also sewn a couple of public-school ties on to the front, for no apparent reason. Mysterious.

You can buy this kit here.