Just a thought, howl it down if you like but there's no way the serious supporters are going to talk to the likes of me in the proper round ball thread.

We could even let women join in the thread as long as they didn't try to offer an opinion.

I see the Poms have rigged the draw to get an easy start to the competition so they should be taking a renewed interest after swearing off for the last few decades.

I think it's a great idea. I have no real interest in footy except whe the big competitions come around. I do think it's great that England have an easy first round, although I'm sure they'll still be sweating against the lesser sides like the USA.

Re the ladies, we certainly would have some input from Miggy. Not sure of any others though...

Group A

South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B

Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece

Group C

England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D

Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Group E

Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

Group F

Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G

Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H

Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Hard Draw for the Aussies.

I think they'll go through to the next round. Serbia and Ghana are not up to much! Germany always find the goodies when it matters, they are a hard side to beat.

Look the Engllish always manage to do it. Either they are in "THE GROUP OF DEATH" in which case they lose the first game, draw the second and somehow scrape by in the rest OR they get an easy group in which case they lose the first game, draw the second and somehow scrape by in the rest.

A South Korea vs Korea DPR final would get the ICBM's rolling but that's it except for Japan for Asian interest. Other than the bluddy Engllish I'll be cheering on the Greeks as my sister is a Grecophile with a house on Crete. However I like the flag of the Camaroons, almost Vietnamese but sanwiched between cheddar cheese and guacamole.

Germany always find the goodies when it matters, they are a hard side to beat.

This is what will happen....... half way through the tournament the Japs will commit an atrocity in SA, the yanks, who up until that point, will have shown complete indifference, will pull their socks up and ensure that a European team that isn't Germany will win, and then take all the credit for it.

Then Steven Spielberg will make millions on the movie rights.

(P.S. The Italians stand a chance, best team at changing sides at half time ever)

I didn't see Pakistan, W.Indies, or India in the draw?

Oh...that's the OTHER round ball game isn't it.

I think the All Blacks will do all right against France.....but you never know.

I just thought it would be an opportunity for us people who haven't lived in our country for years and moan bitterly every time we have to go back to it to pretend we are patriotic.

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!!!

I'm an Aussie, a Fijian, or a Kiwi, depending on who's playing what.

I'm an Aussie, a Fijian, or a Kiwi, depending on who's playing what.

With this type of psychosis, it must be hard remembering to put your trousers on in the morning

Are we allowed to get technical and talk about things like the offside rule?

I'm an Aussie, a Fijian, or a Kiwi, depending on who's playing what.

I'm fairly sure Fiji isn't in the world cup and the other two are unlikely to meet so you should be all right.

Are we allowed to get technical and talk about things like the offside rule?

Just don't talk about Italian divers!

As long as you include a link to explain the more technical terms.

I think most of us understand goal and penalty but that's about it.

I'm an Aussie, a Fijian, or a Kiwi, depending on who's playing what.

I'm fairly sure Fiji isn't in the world cup and the other two are unlikely to meet so you should be all right.

World cup 7's or rugby, they very well might meet.

And another thing.....

If you know anything about the game just don't try to make the rest of us look silly in front of the women.

Ehemm.

Soccer, or football as it is known in Europe, is a game played by two teams of eleven players.

The object of the game is to kick a ball into the opponent's net.

Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands.

In some circles, often consisting of rugby players, it is considered a game for men that can't take a hit or push a scrum.

I'm not sure if my wealth of knowledge of the game threatens to damage your reputation.....so Id better desist from spouting more.

a game for men that can't take a hit or push a scrum

I'd imagine the scratching and hair pulling could be quite painful though.

there's no way the serious supporters are going to talk to the likes of me in the proper round ball thread.

We could even let women join in the thread as long as they didn't try to offer an opinion.

excuse moi?

well I guess on both those conditions, that counts me out then

Aww.... gee MiGGie, was only joking....

a game for men that can't take a hit or push a scrum

I'd imagine the scratching and hair pulling could be quite painful though.

mmmm, maybe, but they are mitigated by the comforting butt pats.

I think we'd better stick to the World Cup rather than passing judgment on the game or we may be a bit light on for contributers.

Yeah.

Sorry for diverting it.

Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands.

Don't tell the Irish that

Anyway shouldn't this be 'outside the box'.

But the best play always happens inside the box!

Reason for edit: I just thought this post might be misconstrued!

Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands.

Don't tell the Irish that

but try telling the French that

A girl said this to me...football, all this guys chasing after one ball and kicking it. If i want a ball I go an d buy one.

....oh no, someone touched me, I should fall to the ground like I have be shot with a large calibre weapon and writhe like Ive been run over by a stampede of wild elephants......

And there ends my knowledge of football.

But the best play always happens inside the box!

Reason for edit: I just thought this post might be misconstrued!

And how, may I be so bold as to ask, has the edit prevented that?

A girl said this to me...football, all this guys chasing after one ball and kicking it. If i want a ball I go an d buy one.

....oh no, someone touched me, I should fall to the ground like I have be shot with a large calibre weapon and writhe like Ive been run over by a stampede of wild elephants......

And there ends my knowledge of football.

My thoughts exactly. Obviously low pain threshold but miraculously quick recovery when they get the foul!

But no one has yet commented on how Sydney Swans will fare without Barry Hall.