Last post before it starts. Ten predictions to follow.
1. Winners – Argentina
2. Golden Boot – Luca Toni
3. Lev Yashin Award (for best goalkeeper) – Paul Robinson
4. Biggest Under-achievement – Brazil
5. Biggest Over-achievement – Ivory Coast
6. Tournament Hero – Juan Riquelme
7. Tournament Villain – Ronaldinho
8. Post-World Cup Big Money Transfer – Franck Ribery
9. Number Of Players Sent-off For Doing Something Stupid – 6
10. Round of England Elimination – Quarter-finals
There we are, then. I’ll be back later to proffer my thoughts on the zer Germans debut against Costa Rica.


Group C could be very interesting indeed.
In other circumstances, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro would both be well within their rights to eye up a quarter final spot.
I’d like to see at least one of them make it out of the group.
How many for 9) ?
I also want to kno whow much practicing we have done with this ball.