WC Review: France, Argentina, Greece (?)

Before we get to the World Cup, a little bit of important Arse news first. As we all know by now, the new fixture list for the 2010/11 season has just been released. Cracker of an opening game, I tell you - Liverpool v Arsenal.

Not a bad time to play them at all, I'd say. The club's in a shambles, Torres will be shattered by an ineffective World Cup, Cesc will be well rested after being used for only half an hour for all of Spain's 3 World Cup games, and we'll have Marouane Chamakh scoring on his Arsenal debut. Nice!

As far as the other fixtures go, we'll have a tricky first home game against new boys Blackpool after that. Playing the new boys so soon can potentially be a banana skin, what with them on a high, and subject to the usual adrenaline-induced super-performances. But we'll see. I'm glad we'll get Chelski out the way sooner rather than later this time - with both ties out of the way by Christmas or so.

All in all, it's a nice balanced fixture list. None of that concentration of key games right at the end. We can possibly get a good start, and should hopefully be in a nice place by the time we play Man U at home (!) on 30 April.

Now I'm going to have to look into my travel-related arrangements in August...

Speaking of which, wonder if I should start making May plans for a Champions League final at Wembley. Knowing the English FA, they'll probably have a U2 concert on the pitch 3 days before the game, and a rugby game the week before. Looks like the Champions League final's going to be played on a muddy-cow patch with extra lines on. Or of course, they can just put on another pathetic new patch of grass as always.

Elsewhere, I've also been trawling the internet for photos (don't get any funny ideas)...photos of any of Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, etc etc, after the Switzerland game. Anything - with their gobs in tears, shock, the works. Crying would be best of course, though I suspect those would not exist. Would love to have something like that brighten up this rather drab-looking blog. Anyone out there with a clue?

So to the games. And France first and foremost. France. I expected them to be crap. I did. I even put in a bet for a drab draw, but this? That 2-0 loss to Mexico? Shit. That so sucked, it reached new depths of suckiness. Sarkozy should just declare a national day of shame tomorrow and get it over and done with. Crikey. If I were French, you know who I'd want to be? Samir Nasri. One of only two Frenchmen free from the shame of it all. The other? Karim Benzema. Oh, of course, there's Clichy too.

I mean, the only thing that miserable bunch did reasonably well was sing the Marseillaise. There was even a hint of desire and dedication in their singing, right? But shiver me timbers, you throw in a ball and a little bit of running around, it became downright disgraceful. Unfortunately, North Korea had to be drawn with the likes of Brazil. Would've so loved to see them give the spandex-wearing Bleus a real kick up the khyber.

But, but, but, let it be said: you did read on this blog that we should watch for France getting booted out without scoring a single goal in the group stages? We're nearly there!

And South Korea? They let me down man. Put in another bet there too, for them to put up a bit of a fight and go down 1-0. Bu 4-1? That was bad too. The defending was decidedly un-Korean. But I have to say, Argentina were something else. Getting into form like they did at this stage in 2006. We can only wait and see if they keep it up this time.

Speaking of South Korea - there was that story about condom sales sky-rocketing after the Greek win? Sounds right, but a few questions remain: (a) What do they do now, after that limp performance against Argentina? (b) Who were they used with in the first place? Can't imagine men jumping on their poor football widows after making them sit through 90 minutes of football. (c) Can they send some over to their northern brethren? I'm sure they'll find some reason for celebrating - if not already. They've been up to it so far. (d) Says alot about Korean discipline ultimately. Going wild with celebrations, but making sure they pop into the pharmacy for protection...Well done!

Finally, Greece and Nigeria. I wonder whether there's a term in Nigeria akin to "shot yourself in the foot". Best time as ever to invent one if not.

Too tired. Transcribing an exclusive interview with Xavi Hernandez. Stay tuned.

G'night.