The pre-game report, on American TV, just said "Brian McBride may be the best American soccer player no one has ever heard of." I feel like I'm in on the ground floor, here. American soccer. Who knew.

Talk about waiting until the last minute.

No. Its Edie Johnson!

Why not, why not indeed!

Ballack is out for Germany. Isn't it curious how pre-tournament injuries so often affect the star players?

Radio 5 Live said thatGerrard will be playing tomorrow.

SHIT WHAT????

Ballack out?!?

I must revise my line up in a hurry!!!

BBC say:

Michael Ballack sits out the opening World Cup match between Germany and Costa Rica in Munich.

The Chelsea new boy and Germany skipper has a calf strain and has been rested, with Tim Borowski stepping into midfield for the hosts.

Costa Rica had doubts over keeper Jose Francisco Porras, midfielder Mauricio Solis and defender Gilberto Martinez.

However, all three have been passed fit and start in a team featuring former Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope.

Go Ticos!

what a boring opening ceremony, no-one apart from the US in 94 has ever done a good one

They don't televise that here.

And if I remember correctly, they didn't televise the one on our own soil in 94.

German manager Jurgen Klinnsman has been much-derided, as I'm sure you know (unimpressive performances, Klinnsman living in California). Today he was asked what the headlines in the German newspapers would be after the tournament. He said: 'You Did It'. Time will tell.

Sven says Gerrard will play unless his injury 'flares up overnight', so still some doubt, obviously.

Nice shot from the opening ceremony:

the american opening ceremony had diana ross taking a penalty. The plan was she hit it into the net and because of how hard she kicked it the net would be broken in 2. She put the ball wide but the net broke apart anyway. I found it hilarious, but i was 10 at the time

Has anyone watched that programme about Sven Goran last night on Channel 4?I've found it hilarious.

You mean the one where Diana Ross put a penalty wide from about three yards out?

HAHA

Instead of any kind of pre-game, they are interviewing Dutch Sumo wrestlers on ESPN. What the hell? One of their nick names is Dr. Love.

the match is on espn2 & they have a pre-game going on already

That little menu thing that keeps coming up on ESPN2 is obnoxious. It take up half the screen.

Damn. Wanchope is my only player in this game. Germany looks like it's going to dominate.

what a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL

SWEET! I like soccer now.

I actually want Germany to win, but as long as Wanchope does well.

this is a great one!


textbook goal there too.

good old 'chope