J.A.W.

Quarterfinal 1: Germany 0, Argentina 0, with about 5 minutes left in the first half. An entertaining, but slightly disappointing game so far. Both midfields are underachieving, playing too slow and creating very few chances. Argentina are a bit better in my view.

Wasn't he playing for France yesterday? I think I saw him. He was playing, only for SPAIN. They are teammates at Arsenal and Cesc has a better understanding of Henry than his French teammates. Heh heh heh You're right, of course. Stoopid me...

And Fogerty, of course... It's common knowledge that Fogarty has retroactively changed the spelling of his name in order to invalidate his previous contacts. Well, the knowledge might not be so common as you suggest - there's nothing about it in wikipedia or on AMG (for what that's worth...), or even on Fogerty's website. I think that's because Jim was taking his clumsy fingers and making a joke, (...) Very, very funny.

And Fogerty, of course... It's common knowledge that Fogarty has retroactively changed the spelling of his name in order to invalidate his previous contacts. Well, the knowledge might not be so common as you suggest - there's nothing about it in wikipedia or on AMG (for what that's worth...), or even on Fogerty's website.

Wasn't he playing for France yesterday? I think I saw him.

This wasn't Henry's season. With Arsenal he played quite a few mediocre games, and in this World Cup he was pretty bad. I hate his theatrical behaviour, he doesn't need that. Henry doesn't really fit into this French team, and he knows it.

Kenneth Wolstenholme ! Yes, that's him! Forgot his name.

The Quarterfinals: Friday, June 30 Germany - Argentina Italy - Ukraine Saturday, July 1 France - Brazil England - Portugal 6 European and 2 South American countries.

Zidane 3-1. To quote an English commentator in 1966: "They think it's all over - it is now"...

Wow, Vieira 2-1! What the hell is the matter with Spain?? They controlled the game in the first half, and they've given it away in the second...

So far the second half is not as good as the first half, but it's still fun to watch. It looks like Spain let France get back into the game.

I feel like I missed all the cards when I was out getting another drink. did I? Playing poker? not with this guy!

I feel like I missed all the cards when I was out getting another drink. did I? Playing poker?

Half time: 1-1. Finally a game worth watching! Spain are the better side, but France improved a bit at the end of the first half.

A rare moment of French magic: 1-1, goal by Ribery. Poor defending by Spain.

Spain 1, France 0; penalty. The penalty was correct in my view (watched several repeats ), the Spanish player was tackled from behind. Well deserved, the Spanish are better. France are static and slow, especially in midfield, and they can hardly reach Henry, who must be feeling very lonely up front...

I'm pretty sure that the expression 'you don't miss your water.....' was used in the blues long before William Bell's wonderful recording. I was going to say that I am almost certain that B.B. King used the line in one of his '50s Crown recordings. I didn't say the phrase wasn't used before, I just said that the actual song was composed and recorded by William Bell.

I think you're absolutely right. I agree, at 1-0 Brazil, Ghana were the better side. They were indeed.

Brazil now 3, Ghana 0 and down to 10 men - YAWN again...

Brazil 2, Ghana 0, with about 15 minutes left... A poor game, with bad defending and sloppy finishing by Ghana, and a very tired-looking, almost uninterested Brazilian team. (YAWN...)

And Fogerty, of course...

Yep. The last two 2nd round games will be played today (Tuesday). Then there's a two-day break. The Quarterfinals will be played on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1; the Semifinals on Tuesday, July 4 and Wednesday, July 5; the "losers' final" (3rd/4th place) on Saturday, July 8 and the Final on Sunday, July 9.

"You Don't Miss Your Water" was composed and recorded by William Bell in 1961. It's included in the wonderful 8CD-set Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (Atlantic 82305-2, 1991 edition, remastered by Zal Schreiber and Steve Innocenzi).

Only exception: the German team, of course ..... I must admit that they're better than I had expected. I wonder how they'll do against Argentina on Friday. That could be a great game.