Richard Lennox

Last night Italy became World Champions in a game that will not be remembered for the football but for one incident and one incident only! John Motson summed the game up at the start of extra time by saying about Zidane that he was still the best player on the pitch.  It was a game that he was never a full part of.  Yes, there were flashes of his potential brilliance but nothing substantial.  The first 20 minutes saw two goals and it looked to be the makings of a good, open and attractive game.  But at 1-1 both teams slipped back into defensive ways.  Italy always looking the more dangerous and come half time, you would have thought if the Italians could hold onto the pace of the game, they would overwhelm the aging French, but the game was beginning to taper off.

It is final day in the world cup and France vs Italy isn't exactly an inspiring final.  Both teams play in a similar way.  Sitting back, giving the opposition plenty of the ball and trying to hit them on the break.  It is difficult to see this as being anything other than a 1-0 win.  It is strange, I am not really that bothered who wins but I would prefer the Italians to win. 

Yet again the horror of the penalty shootout comes to help England bow out of yet another major championship.  The England team never really inspired during this tournament but yet again they got through to the final stages only to go out in a blaze of penalties.

England have finished top of group B following a 2-2 draw with Sweden.  That is the important result from tonight.  England played much better tonight than in the two previous game but still not at the level they are capable of.  The positive is that we topped the group.  There are, in fact, lots of positives to take from tonight.  Hargreaves looked good, despite the criticism, he held the midfield well and let the better players play more freely.  Joe Cole, again England's best player despite getting lost a little in the second half, and what a fantastic goal.  Rooney, managed the best part of 70 minutes, which is a fantastic run out.  Terry again played well and Robinson had a decent game, including a fantastic save onto the bar and couldn't be blamed for the goals.  And finally by topping the group England avoid the home nation.

This is my first post regarding this years World Cup. I should first point out that while I live in Edinburgh, I am English and and a full on supporter of my national side. Unlike, many fans though I like to think of myself as an honest pundit although at time I can be a little biased.

We are 10 days into Germany 2006 and half way through the second round of group matches. England sit on top of Group 2 ahead of Sweded, Trinidad & Tobago and Paraguay and have already qualified for the group stages by winning their opening two games.

On the whole this has been one of the better tournaments for football fans. The quality of the games has been high for the most part. However it seems as if some of the big teams are yet to fire on all cylinders, the French being a prime example of this. The biggest exception to this being Argentina, who are looking so good at the minute I would consider a little flutter on them if the odds hadn't been slashed.