Hmm, Croatia again eh?

This wasn't televised in Australia, which I am very upset about. I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of the World Cup Draw, with supermodels kicking footballs and crap German magicians so the least they could have done is show us this one.

Was it a spectacle for the eyes and ears? Were there laser beams and cannons of fire? Did Terry Wogan do the commentary?

There are no easy games at this level.

Live: Euro 2008 qualifying draw

Here we go, live from Zurich. Heidi Klum. Radio Five Live, the draw for the Euro 2008 isn't it. It's going to be in Austria and Switzerland which is nice for both of them. No sniggering about the Wankdorf Stadium please. Will we get the Group of Death? There's always a Group of Death. Who'll be manager when we start these quailfiers - will it be Big 'Sam' Allardyce. Or red-faced boring old Steve McLaren (please no). Perhaps Goose Hiddink, with his exemplary record. 'The first green ball is plucked from the pot... it's Kazakhstan!'

Apparently the fake sheik was the one who foiled the Posh Spice kidnap as well.

So. Sven spilled the beans to a News of the World scumbag dressed as an Arab. He's naive, he should have known better! The NOTW recorded it all! He said what we all kind of know and suspect, but it's very embarrassing and he's had to spend his Sunday ringing all the players and saying sorry. Sorry I said you're only at Newcastle for the money Michael. Sorry I said you come from a rough backgrond and you've got a bad temper Wayne. Sorry I said you're a bit lazy Rio. Sorry I said you're frustrated with Real Madrid's lack of progress David. Sorry everybody, I said I'll be leaving after the World Cup, I won't really!

On a brighter note, Arsenal have signed a Togoan. (Togolese?) He's from Togo anyway, and he's called Emmanuel Adebayor, and he's going to be in the World Cup, so that'll mean Togo games will be even more exciting (for me) than before. Togo v Switzerland in Dortmund on the 19th June... surely one to miss? No, two Arsenal players will be in it! Magic.

Arthur on Acid, he say "Meoiw dude, I purrrdict that England will win innit."

The cat knows the truth ... and sleeps anywhere.

Here are the two most valuable player cards for World Cup 2006.

I hear the Graham Silvestre one is worth literally tens of pence.

Stiftung Warentest (apparently a consumer group in Germany, probably like "That's Life" with Esther Rantzen) have said that four of the WC2006 stadiums have "serious safefty problems".

The best thing about this story is the quote from Franz Beckenbauer who replied "The Stiftung Warentest might know what it's talking about with face creams, olive oil and vacuum cleaners, so it should stick to them. Frankly, I've had enough of these know-it-alls who are trying to make themselves important and profit from the World Cup".

More on the BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4598964.stm

Fantasy Island

Hey, so where do we play Fantasy World Cup this year then? Remember in Euro 2004 when we played that score predictor game on their website - that was excellent.

I need something to do after drinking 5 pints at 4 in the morning when the early games have finished, and an online score prediction type website would be perfect.

Publish some links Nobby, come on...

Did you know that the Black Eyed Peas will be performing at the opening ceremony of the 2006 World Cup.

Hopefully they'll sing that "lovely lady lumps" record. I like that one.

Here is a picture of Fergie the lead singer dancer rapper from the Black Eyed Peas.

She has nothing to do with football, but appears on this blog nonetheless. I somehow don't think Mr Telepathy will mind.

Happy New One

Happy New Year footy fans.

It's a World Cup Year. Here's to a great tournament and the occasional streaker.