wacmedia

Hi, Costa Rica really put it up to the Italians. They were 50/1 to win the group and 10/1 to qualify for the next round. Great show from France.

Hi, I had a chat with an Italian gentleman this morning who is convinced all pro sport is fixed, and run by the Mafia. One knows my opinion of Howard Webb by now.

Hi, Currency Fair have a new ad campaign on TV at the moment with that strange looking Frenchman.

Hi, My mates have took the day off so I've done the same in sympathy. They hoped they'd be celebrating a victory with a long weekend. Alas.... The drinking has started early and we are likely to be here until the Honduras and Equador decide who goes through.

Hi, Been around London today and lots of flags everywhere, bit like the time they played Germany(heavy loss). Hope Hodgson plays all the young players and plans for the future. There will be claret all over the manor if Uruguay beat them tonight.

Hi, The King of Spain abdicates and the European and World champions do the same. England could be on a AIG flight with them if they dont win tonight. Willie Walsh would love the publicity. Chile look good and Croatia deserve to qualify after being robbed in the first game against the Brazilians.

Hi, Russia finish strongly against the Koreans. Belgium played like they were on tranquilizers in the first half but improved with the introduction of the lampshade(Fellaini) I think he is good if played to his strengths. Moyes didn't play him up the field supporting the attack.

Hi, Even visionaries get it wrong sometimes jacko.

Hi, Well done USA. showed good team spirit which can mean a lot in the International game. My African friends tell me that the African players are only interested in their career and big contracts and have no interest in putting it in for the National team. Belgium play tonight and their Captain says there is a great team spirit in that team. If that is so they will be hard to beat as they have a great young team.

Hi, Hard for USA, Look at the clubs the Ghanain midfield play for. I'm having a small bet on Portugal as well on the Asian Handicap.

Ivory Coast looked good against Japan. They have 3 really top class players which was not always the case. England can do well in the Euros if they bring all the young players in now. Lampard and Gerrard have been great players but its time for Lalanna and the young guys now. Sterling and Sturridge proved the point. BTW, Robben was brilliant the other night, another player Jose got rid of !

Hi, Great performance from the Dutch. Nice to see them revert to playing football. Mexico overcame some bad officiating, lets hope the good refs are ut in force when we get to the round of 16.

Hi, I think you are right. There are many ethnic Japs in Brazil however.

Hi, Good piece. On the money.

Hi, The pitch seemed very bumby in the game last night. Sao Paulo is their main city so its worrying if that pitch is poor. Japanese form a part of the Brazilian community, I think they eve had a Japanese President so it was very surprising that the Jap got that game. Dodgy !

Hi, I love FIFA, the best of European administration mixed with Asian/African support services. Sepp Blatter is even a better administrator than Bernie Ecclestone at F1.

Hi, If one was a conspiracy theorist one would wonder about that tackle on him from the unknown Newcastle player. Looked very dodgy.

Hi, The last time the WC was in Brazil it was won by Uruguay. I'd say they have done lots for football with only a few million people. Scotland have done well as well.

Hi, I only included the teams I think have a chance and a few, like USA and England who boardies may want to vote for.

Hi, The World Cup is in a very glamorous setting this year, Brazil. I’m sure some on here find Brazilian women almost as hot as our Thai ladies so there are a few reasons to go if one has the money and the time. However, it’s a dangerous country, especially if you are a “rich” falang so be careful of the muggers and the famous ladyboys! Unless ladyboys is your thing, of course. Tim Vickery, who knows more about South America than I do, says that Uruguay and Belgium have a good draw as regards the weather. Both look good enough to qualify out of the group stages so. On the same subject he says Italy and Germany have a bad schedule. Germany disappointed me in the Euros and with this information I have to discount them in this tournament as well. Italy was my greatest success on here when I tipped them to win at 12/1. England have picked some good young players and I hope they are played. This can only be seen as a preparation for the European Championships and Roy Hodgson has plenty of experience with Switzerland in these events so they should do ok without setting the world on fire. France are another team who seem to be getting ready for the next European Championships which are on home soil. They have a nice looking squad and will gain some vital experience. Franck Ribery, one of the best in the World in my opinion, is injured and out of the tournament which is a shame. Spain, the defending champions, and my selection last time, seem to have a fair chance of defending their crown. If you look at their team its hard to see any weaknesses in it and they have experience of winning the big ones at club and International level. I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Spain. Belgium are a team who seem to have a great crop of young players at the moment. In Hazard and Lukaku they have two great offensive players and have Kompany marshalling their defence, I expect them to perform with credit. As a gambler I’m contrarian by nature so have to oppose Brazil. I think they are over hyped and the team has changed since their glory days. The players seem to be more focused on personal wealth than doing it for the country, a bit like the African teams like Ivory Coast. Brazil seem to have the greatest strength in depth if one counts the top 100 players in a country. Great players, like Deco and Eduardo, decided to play for other countries as it is so hard to get into the Brazilian team. Costa is the first player who would have been chosen but has decided to play for Spain. Columbia and Chile seem to be fancied to do well by most pundits. Columbia have the ex Argentinean manager, Pekerman, as their leader and that should be a plus for them. Falcao, the best finisher in the world in my opinion, is out injured and that puts me off them. Chile are likely to meet Brazil in the round of 16. Enough said ! Uruguay are waiting on Suarez who is injured and if he comes back fit and well Uruguay will be hard to beat in their group. Having lost Falcao from the tournament it would be a shame if we lost another of the greats from the finals. Russia have a home grown team and I know little about them. They have the excellent Capello as manager however and should at least get to the round of 16. USA have drawn the Group of Death, and I have no words of comfort for our American cousins I’m afraid. Argentina have two of my favourite players, Kun Aquero and Messi, in their team. I don’t think their defence is as bad as many suggest it is. A team with those two, plus the bustling Higuain and the fast, hardworking De Maria, who has had a great season with Real in Spain, are difficult to oppose and they are my selection for the World Cup this time around. Good luck if you have a bet. In England I find Bet 365 to be the best bookmaker to deal with. Paddy Power seem to be pretty good as well, for most people, but I’ve had some bad experience with them. Most people like them, however. I find William Hill have the best betting slips if you are having a small bet in a betting shop. Bon Chance!

Hi, Management have learned from the the debacle at T5 when it opened. They are gradually introducing airlines so any early problems will not impact too many people.

Hi, Great acoustic band as well as everything else.

Hi, Great stuff, Butch ! My uncle was a great livestock trader. When I was young he always said to me "you'll find in the end, your pocket is your friend" It's always stayed with me and it seems it's a Universal truth. Even he must have been caught out sometimes !

Hi, There is a film about Pantani out now. Got some good reviews and worth a look.

Hi, I don't have the knowledge of the lower leagues. I will have a nice payday if Athletico beat Real in the CL final. I'm a Real supporter in Spain so I'm torn. I've covered the bet so I will win whichever way it goes. Hopefully make up for Chelsea.