He impressed me when he was willing to talk to the press after the England and Argentina games, and put his points across very well too. Seems to have a very strong character, which can only be a positive in a referee.

Paul the Octopus has predicted Spain

He's in better shape than some of the players too. All referees should be at his fitness level.

I had money on Spain to win the world cup months ago (not a large amount),so while i'm pleased they have got to the final i now can't help but want the Dutch to win it.

Maybe its the usual feeling of wanting to cheer on the underdog,but since the Spanish turned over the Germans i sense an air of arrogance from their squad (not to mention Hansen lovestruck on the panel),and now the celebrity octopus has had its say it makes you wonder why they should bother playing on Sunday and just give the cup to Spain

He got the Euro final wrong, there is hope for the Dutch.

Been on top form so far though.

If he's wrong he needs a kick in the tentacles.

3rfd/4th place decider. What a complete and utter waste of time, effort and energy. Should be scrapped.

I can't imagine that many of the players would be that interested in playing, I know I wouldn't be because it doesn't really count for anything...

Uruguay are talking up their chances. Suarez and Forlan have shots at the Golden Boot, as does Klose (if fit) not to mention beating Fat Ronaldo's all-time World Cup scoring record.
So there's a bit to play for yet, but I fear the flu that's running through the German camp may turn it into a bit of a damp squib.

The automatic entries for the world cup should be the host nation, the two previous finalists and the 3rd place playoff winner. That way the game would have some incentive.

Certainly not the worst idea ever.

4/32 automatically qualifying would be ridiculously high, no-one watching the game last night could say with a straight face that the players didn't want to be playing in it, in fact the last few 3/4th place games have been enjoyable games.

Personally I think it should be Eurovision style, you win it you win the right to host it, if you can't/don't want to then there will be plenty of takers for the tournament.

It's unlikely the cup would ever be won by a country incapable of doing so and it will stop backward mickey mouse countries from being given the finals for political reasons (yes I do mean Australia 2022).

Is this still going on??

so that's a trip to Brazil ever 4 years starting from 2014.

Personally i think only the real big football nations in terms of finance should hold it.

Why give it to countries like Austria/Belgium when they offer nothing in terms of BIG players or big stadia.

In Europe: GB, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia
are the only countries that should be considered.
Africa forget about that again for a long time
I'll offer nothing on S.America as i don't know enough but countries that have never got to the into at least the 2nd round forget about them (earn your right to host it)
Asia, no to backward regime countries (rules out China) and countries who are complete pap, (rules out India) which leaves just Japan/S.Korea (again).

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10589713.stm "Fifa 'pressures' Mandela to attend World Cup final" TBH I'm on FIFA's side over this. Of course the World Cup final will be enhanced should such a figure be at the game and presenting the trophy. It will be good for the World Cup, good for South Africa and good for the players if he attends. Why is saying that putting him under pressure? If he cannot do it because of his age and mourning the death of his grand-daughter then that is perfectly acceptable. But whining to the press over extreme pressure? Get a fricking clue.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10589713.stm "Fifa 'pressures' Mandela to attend World Cup final" TBH I'm on FIFA's side over this. Of course the World Cup final will be enhanced should such a figure be at the game and presenting the trophy. It will be good for the World Cup, good for South Africa and good for the players if he attends. Why is saying that putting him under pressure? If he cannot do it because of his age and mourning the death of his grand-daughter then that is perfectly acceptable. But whining to the press over extreme pressure? Get a fricking clue.

[size=200=#FF0000COME[/size =#FFBF00[size=200ON[/size=#FF0000[size=200SPAIN[/size

=#FFBF40[size=200COME ON HOLLAND[/size

COME ON HOLLAND

Van Bommel once again proving what a dirty ouse he is



Red card coming up with any luck

DE JONG





bloody hell

Is that his name or the sound effect when it happened ?

Hope so - he's always been dirty and has got away with murder in this WC.

Having said that, come on Holland!