Alexander Hawkins

the problem is that since the Netherland game it has been obviously clear how to play these Argentinians. The Mexicans did it right and so did the Germans. There is little to no alternative once their combination play is interrupted by close defense. Their game may have looked impressive, but it was never really fast. Their defense looked like a sieve on several occasions when the Germans had a few minutes without feghing up their passes. Odonkor and Borowsky really pulled the game wide, further weakening the Argentinian defense. It is difficult to play your wings against them, but IF you manage, it all falls apart. I'm with you - this is how to play them (this tight marking is a little similar to how Liverpool 'play' Chelsea in the Premiership, FWIW) - but I still find them incredibly attractive to watch when it gels!

Hans - I agree we should have seen Messi. What I thought was most curious was bringing Crespo off, though. My change would have been Messi for Riquelme - in that playmaker role where Messi could have made something happen, and at which Riquleme failed today! Personally, I'm gutted. I have absolutely nothing against the Germans, and wish them well (I have them nailed on to win their semi against either the Ukrainians or the Italians) - but I'd have loved to have seen more from the Argentines. After the magic they gave us in the Serbia & Montenegro game... Imagine an Argentina v France/Brazil final ...

Gregor Fucka Uncle Fucker The Man from Uncle

That's great about Tippett - I'm really starting to appreciate his playing. Ronnie's have sold out wholesale. I hope they have a really tough time of it - it certainly won't harm any musicians anyone cares about, and it'll teach them to try to commodify our music The place has turned into somewhere for people who like the idea of jazz more than jazz itself, and that's a pretty pernicious thing . p.s. I agree - I used to appreciate the student discount very much.

OK...can I now ask a really stupid question ? Are there any ramifications to the fact that lots of these hard disc recorders only seem to have two XLR inputs? Why is that? p.s. am now looking - alargely because of price - more in the direction of the Fostex VF160EX rather than the Tascam 2488...does anyone have any opinions on this? Thanks as always!

YOU NOT SAY UKRAINE IS WEAK!!!! ...or Dmitry will call on his friends Vladimir and Vitali! Yeah, you and whose army? p.s. Not sure if the Ukraine were weak, so much as dull the other night. I do think they'll be better against Italy, FWIW !

Yeah right, it's not about the money. It now costs (I believe I'm right in saying) AT LEAST £25 to get in (concessions notwithstanding) to Ronnie's. Sometimes more for higher stature artists. Ronnie's is a joke. Just about the most conservative jazz establishment (I use the word 'establishment' pointedly) in town. Look at their schedule for the reopening - Chris Botti? Dave Sanborn? Wynton Marsalis next month? It's a disgrace. Ronnie himself would doubtless be disgusted. And where are the great British musicians on the bill? Stan Tracey? Keith Tippett? Evan Parker? What about the young British musicians who aren't straight out of the music college sausage factory?

'Blues for New Orleans' from the New Orleans Suite is pretty heavy (and sadly, as late as late Hodges gets).

I could have made - more by luck than judgement, as ever with such bets - a hell of a lot of money on an accumulator on the second round matches, if it wasn't for that diabolical Switzerland Ukraine game, which I'd chalked up to the Swiss . Oh well! Can not WAIT for tomorrow's first game. Game of the tournament so far (on paper).

Squatty Roo (1940(?) small group).

The problem is really with the offside rule. Henry - unfortunately, because I hate the tactic (invention commonly credited to the Van Nistelrooy and Ferguson in this country) - was onside consistenly because not active (such as at the goal).

I like Spain a lot more for it than I would have done if you'd asked me before the Brazil game. True, the Brazilians 'did enough' - but, as with England, I'm beginning to wonder whether that's a bit of a convenient excuse, especially at this stage of the competition. If a betting man, I suppose I'd naturally go with Brazil still (bearing in mind Spain haven't really been tested yet), but given the right odds, I wouldn't pass up a fiver on the Spanish... When you say 'assuming' the Spanish get through, is that just that you'd like them to, or that you think they will? I just wonder whether the French mightn't have a shout...

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

Yes, the Brazilians are getting roundly booed. If Ghana had some deadlier finishing, they would (might?) have won this game. I forget about Essien's cards. I seem to remember both were deserved, but neither particularly malicious challenges.

Globe Unity still exists. It's playing at least one of the European festivals this year.

Interesting...I *do* know what you mean about this Brazil side, but I feel that it is a change for the better from the 2002 side, which was much the same as the 1998 side, which was a change for the better from the 1994 side. I like this side more than the last two, because they were set up more for brute speed (similar in some ways to Arsenal at the moment) than for nice football. With the maturing of Ronaldinho, and the advent of Robinho, Kaka (the best of the bunch for my money) and Adriano, I think there's more flair in the side (though, as you say, it's yet really to come). I don't think this Brazil side is set up for defending (have any Brazil sides ever been equipped to defend?). When you're playing 4 - 2 - 2 - 2, and of the four, two are Roberto Carlos and Cafu (granted that both of these have become more competent defenders over the years), and of the backmost two, one is Juninho Pernambucano, I don't think the aim is to play defensively. I do agree that they haven't turned it on recently - the Japanese notwithstanding. However, I think the appearance of defence has more been to do with the fact that the front 6(!) have not retained the ball well, resulting in lots to do for the men at the back. I would add Argentina to Germany - I feel that they've set out to win where possible. Similarly Ghana. Possibly also Spain, but they had a shit group, let's face it .

BTW, I think it's a real shame Essien isn't playing for Ghana...I think that really diminishes their chances. I know what you mean, Jim - I'd love to see Ghana win, but I never like teams like Brazil to go out!

Hmmm... not sure Holland need to call this to anyone's attention. Probably just their way of continuing to express their disgust, and not let people forget about it too quickly. England's players would do well to ignore Portugal's gamesmanship to the fullest extent, and hope for a decent ref. If they don't get a decent ref, then all bets are off. That's largely why it's hard to blame the dutch for getting into "the act" (I still have to put some blame on them, but one has to wonder what other choice they had). Clearly, that ref and his assistants did not see things well, or saw things and foolishly ignored them. The dirty play by Simao which I mentioned above (kicking van der Sar in the face when he knew he had no chance for that loose ball) is a perfect example. Come to think of it, van der Sar didn't play dead... he got up, ran to the top of the box with the ball, and delivered an elbow in the general direction of Simao's head. Way to go, Edwin! All I'd say is that England have a brand of 'sportsmanship' all of their own...although - shhhhhhh! - don't admit it in this country - it's near enough a capital offence. p.s. Steven Gerrard dives with the best of them. 'Won' (what a horrible usage in this connection!) a disgraceful penalty in a warm-up match against the Hungarians. Kenny - well done to the Socceroos (I have an Aussie mate who was out at a couple of the games). Unlike many of the teams, I think they managed to transcend their reputation. Very physical, yes, but (by and large) fair. And, with all due respect, they showed what can be achieved by a squad with spirit, a good coach, but not necessarily that many gifted players (notable exceptions apart!).

Ornette was fantastic in London last year - I was absolutely made up that I saw him. Absolutely first rate playing, and with a first-rate band (IMHO - I know not everyone likes Denardo's playing).

Great story! In some ways, I feel that us young guys are a bit spoilt by having so much music readily available to us - increasingly now with downloads, etc. It's hard to imagine how much more one would savour/treasure etc. recordings which were so hard to come by... Clifford Brown IMHO was the greatest bop/hard bop trumpeter, bar none (obviously Dizzy and Navarro are there or thereabouts). His melodic imagination was extraordinary. And what a tone!

Oh yeah. [p.s. especially compared to those 'jazz-lite' units he'd often lead ]

ScoLoHoFo Moholo-Moholo Dudu Pukwana

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. I bet it will be - if the Argentinians decide to rely on their superb facilities instead of fouls. I agree, it could be great. I'm convinced Argentina are a far superior footballing side, but the German team being what it is in the World Cup, and at home at that... One thing's for sure - it's got the potential for goals.

Actually, maybe fair enough! I was probably overreacting, although I thought it was a great game to watch (as you say). However, I'm sure I'd think it was a nailed-on classic if I'd watched Maxi's goal go in on a street in Buenos Aires!