I luv football, me!

So we've completed the first round of games of the group stage of the World Cup. I've managed to see most matches so far and catch highlights of the ones I didn't. I've enjoyed what I've seen so far. The best matches so far have been Argentina vs Ivory Coast which finished 2-1 in favour of the Argentines and Italy's 2-0 win over Ghana.

Both Argentina and Italy have looked the best so far, although Germany should not be dismissed, as home advantage counts for a lot. England were dreadful and were lucky to beat Paraguay 1-0. Eriksson needs to drop either Gerrard or Lampard and play someone like Michael Carrick in a holding midfield role, which would free one of them up. Also, he needs to drop Peter Crouch - he is useless! Buth who can he partner up front with Michael Owen? The is-he-ready-yet-or-isn't-he? Wayne Rooney or the untried Theo Walcott?

The other favourites Brazil and France didn't start particularly well. The Brazilians narrowly defeated a spirited Croatian side - I've never been that impressed by them, but that's for a future post - and the French were held to a 0-0 draw by their neighbours Switzerland.

This World Cup has been notable for the number of debutants taking part - six in all. Four are from Africa (Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo). The other debutants are the Ukraine, and Trinidad and Tobago with the latter seeming to be everyone's other favourite team. They held Sweden to a 0-0 draw. A laudable achievement in itself, but even more notable considering they had a player (Avery John) sent off early in the second half. They take on England tomorrow in their second group match.

I've been quite impressed with the Czech Republic's Tomás Rosický. I'm a little biased - he recently signed for the mighty Arsenal. He was man-of-the-match in the Czechs' 3-0 victory over the USA. He scored 2 goals, including a stunning shot from 30 yards out.

Only another forty matches to go. Can't wait!