INTERACTION

Great start to the tournament wasn't it? Russia were especially good. But I've flown out some special shooting boots to Kerzhakov. Based on just one game the Czech Republic should go through in second place (assuming it doesn't all go tragically wrong for my team). I thought they were good in patches. Course, I can't help but compare teams to England. I try not to get too depressed.

So, on to the group of death...

Having seen the Czechs twice in qualifying I'm not terribly surprised by their performance last night, and think that either Greece or Poland may yet surprise them. Scotland certainly could and should have taken more points from them. Having said that I wouldn't have fancied coming up against that Russian side last night. It was four going on seven or eight, wasn't it?

Tonight's games are absolutely mouthwatering.

_________________
Neil Williamson
www.neilwilliamson.org.uk

I find it's best to think of my payments into the TTA sweepstakes as charitable contributions, even before the draw happens. I think in 2006 I got saddled with Australia. Last night I was out having a drink with a friend and mentioned I'd drawn England in a sweepstakes and he laughed at me.

_________________
http://lyndaerucker.wordpress.com

Ooh! Well done Denmark, that was a surprise!

_________________
My Blog: http://bob-lock.blogspot.com/

Debut novel site: http://www.flamesofherakleitos.com/

Portugal should have won! There is no justice!

_________________
MY WEBSITE: www.nemonymous.com

Hah, my jinx can stop even Robben & van Persie from scoring.

The England team visited a Polish orphanage today. "It's so terrible to see their sad little faces, devoid of all hope", said Stanislav, age 6.

_________________
http://www.scan-tech.co.uk/mikealx
http://www.myspace.com/veldtmusic
Folder printing high quality presentation folders

Absolutely! I'm pleased my money is going to a good cause.

Hehe, nice one Mike

_________________
My Blog: http://bob-lock.blogspot.com/

Debut novel site: http://www.flamesofherakleitos.com/

Mr Murdoch has peaked. IMO.

_________________
http://jimsteel.wordpress.com/

Jees Ireland were bad last night!! Great game between Spain and Italy though. Wonder what today's results will bring..

_________________
http://darrengallagher.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/DarrenGallagherAuthor

Rumour is that Oxlade-Chamberlain starts, as does Welbeck. I hope this is true. Must surely be better than Milner and Carroll. I imagine the bus will still be parked, but at least we'd be less likely to totally rely on "a long ball game" (Roy Hodgson, June 2012).

I'm hearing that Milner will play on the opposite wing to O-C. But O-C, Young, Wellbeck - that's exactly the kind of line up he should be starting with. Young, gifted and too inexperienced to have learned fear.

I still think this England team could gel quickly into a surprise package for this tournament. The favourites (Spain, Germany, Netherlands) have started slowly and all look to have vulnerabilities, so it looks like a much more open competition than it first appeared.

_________________
Neil Williamson
www.neilwilliamson.org.uk

Jim - nah, there's plenty of life left in the Spanish. Question is: can Italy keep their form up?

_________________
Neil Williamson
www.neilwilliamson.org.uk

The Spain v Italy match was just a real joy to watch; so often these top-flight match ups are disappointing but this was wonderful technical stuff from two teams with very different approaches.

Oh, Ireland. I always want them to do well and work up this fantasy in advance about how maybe this time there'll be a real upset and then they take to the pitch and my dreams die again. It was rather rude of the Croatian coach to describe them as "simple" though.

I've been mad at France ever since they cheated their way past Ireland into World Cup two years ago, so I'll be happy to cheer England on and I'm already starting to imagine they'll surprise everyone and I'll come out of this sweepstakes tasting victory at last...

_________________
http://lyndaerucker.wordpress.com

You're right, Neil. That's what I meant to say. Nervous.